Switzerland Further Aligns Food Contact Material Ordinance with EU

Switzerland introduces changes to align its food contact materials and articles ordinance with EU provisions. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) December 17, 2019 - On December 1, 2019, Switzerland brought into effect several food contact materials and articles requirements that align its ordinance with many European Union (EU) provisions.

Official Collection 2019 3371 was published on November 5, 2019. This aligns the Swiss Ordinance with provisions from the following EU regulations:
• Regulation (EC) 1895/2005 ‘Certain epoxy derivatives’ – relating to 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane bis(2,3-epoxy(propyl) ether (BADGE) and its derivatives, Novolac glycidyl ethers (NOGE) and bis (4-hdroxyphenyl)-methane bis (2,3-epoxypropyl) ether (BFDGE)
• Amendments to Regulation (EU) 10/2011 on food contact plastics, such as Regulation (EU) 2016/1416 and Regulation (EU) 2018/213 ‘Bisphenol A (BPA) in varnishes and coatings as regards to the use of that substance in food contact plastics'

In summation, the amendment means:
• Food contact materials and articles not complying with Annex 13 may be manufactured, imported, labeled and sold to consumers under the old law until May 31, 2020
• Food contact materials and articles not complying with other provisions may remain on the market until stocks are exhausted

The major changes in the amendment relate to:
• Section 13a ‘Varnishes and coatings’
• Annex 2 ‘List of substances permitted for the manufacture of plastic materials and articles and related requirements’
• Annex 4, Table 1 ‘List of food simulants for food’
• Annex 4, Table 2 ‘Assignment of food simulants’
• Annex 4, Table 3 ‘Food simulant assignment for demonstrating compliance with overall migration’
• Annex 4, Section 2.2 ‘Rules for assessing compliance with migration limits’
• Annex 4, Table 4 ‘Standardized conditions for testing overall migration’
• Annex 4, Section 2.3.3 ‘Verification of compliance’
• Annex 4, Table 7 ‘Selection of test temperature’
• Annex 4, Section 2.4.2.1.4 ‘Specific conditions for contact time above 30 days at room temperature and below’
• Annex 9 ‘List of substances permitted for the manufacture of silicone materials and articles and related requirements’
• Annex 10 ‘List of substances permitted for the manufacture of packaging inks and related requirements’
• Annex 13 ‘Special requirements for varnishes and coatings’
• Annex 14 ‘Declaration of conformity for varnishes and coatings’

Food contact materials and articles (FCM) in Switzerland are regulated under an Ordinance of the Federal Department of Home Affairs. It contains 10 groups of FCM, established in December 2016:
1. Active and intelligent materials
2. Ceramics, glass, enamels and similar articles
3. Metals and alloys
4. Paper and cardboards
5. Paraffins, wax and dyes
6. Plastics (which also include epoxy resins)
7. Printing inks
8. Recycled plastics
9. Regenerated cellulose
10. Silicone

To learn more about the changes, view SafeGuard 171/19.

SGS Food Contact Material Services
SGS’s technical experts are highly experienced in the testing of materials and articles that will come into contact with food. Utilizing SGS’s global network of testing laboratories, they will ensure products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. They offer the full range of testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. Learn more about SGS’s Food Contact Material Services. [http://www.sgs.com/fcm]

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Switzerland Strengthens Ordinance on Food Contact Materials and Articles SafeGuardS. [www.sgs.com/en/news/2019/11/safeguards-17119--switzerland-strengthens-ordinance-on-food-contact-materials-and-articles]

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

For further information contact:

Dr Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420
Email: crs.media ( @ ) sgs dot com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

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 97,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

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