Japan Updates Regulations on Food Contact Materials Containing PEN

Japan has introduced new regulations regarding polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) use in food contact materials and articles. The new law takes effect on December 6, 2016. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) August 09, 2016 - On June 8, 2016, the Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published Notification No.245 of 2016 to introduce new regulations regarding the use of polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) in food contact materials and articles. The new regulations relate to both food contact materials and articles made from PEN and food contact materials and articles where PEN is the principle ingredient.

Food contact materials and articles made from PEN are already obliged to comply with the regulations relating to general plastics. These requirements relate to cadmium content, lead content, migration of heavy metals expressed as lead and consumption of potassium permanganate.

The additional regulations on PEN food contact materials and articles will relate to:
• Evaporation residue
• Migration of germanium

PEN is a polyester polymer with applications in the thermoforming industry and is used in containers for carbonated beverages, beer, water and other liquids.

Japan has introduced these changes by creating a food contact materials section in the 'Specifications and Standards for Food, Food Additives, etc' segment of the Japan Food Sanitation Law (JFSL).

The new law will take effect on December 8, 2016.

SGS Food Contact Services
SGS offers the full-range of inspection, testing, certification, verification and training services and can carry out food packaging and contact materials tests to ensure that products comply with the appropriate regulations for food contact materials. Learn more about SGS's Food Contact Services. (www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/toys-and-juvenile-products/toys/testing/food-contact-tests)

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Japan Regulates Food Contact Pen Materials and Articles SafeGuardS. (www.sgs.com/en/news/2016/07/safeguards-12816-japan-regulates-food-contact-pen-materials-and-articles)

Subscribe here, www.sgs.com/subscribesg, to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:
Hingwo Tsang
Global Hardlines Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420
Email: cts.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/cgnr

About SGS
SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 85,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,800 offices and laboratories around the world.

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