Switzerland Publishes New Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Articles
Switzerland has strengthened its regulations regarding food contact materials and articles (FMCs) by establishing special requirements for ten groups of FCM as part of the nation's new 'Food Law 2017'.
- (1888PressRelease) February 18, 2017 - As part of Switzerland's new 'Food Law 2017', the Swiss Federal Office for Food Safety and Veterinary Affairs (FSVO) [Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen (BLV)] has announced an amendment establishing the requirements for ten groups of food contact materials and articles (FCMs).
These materials and articles, intended to come into contact with food, are broken down into the following groups:
• Metals, metal alloys, and tin and its alloys
• Plastics (including epoxy resins)
• Recycled plastics
• Regenerated cellulose films
• Ceramics, glass, enamels and similar articles
• Paper and cardboard articles
• Paraffins, waxes and dyes
• Silicones
• Printing inks
• Active and intelligent materials and articles
Under the new law, Switzerland requires that FCMs are produced using good manufacturing practices that will restrict the transfer of their constituents to food. They must not:
• Endanger to human health
• Generate an unacceptable change in composition of the food
• Cause a deterioration in the organoleptic characteristics of the food
The new Swiss law on FCMs incorporates provisions from several existing pieces of legislation. These include:
• Migration limits for lead and cadmium in ceramics from Directive 84/500/EEC for food contact ceramics, glass, enamel and similar materials
• Specific migration limits for aluminum, barium, cobalt, copper, iron, lithium, manganese and zinc in plastics from Regulation (EU) 2016/1416
• Test conditions for overall and specific migrations for plastics from Regulation (EC) 10/2011 of January 14, 2011
Stakeholders should also make special note of the requirements for epoxy resins, which fall under the scope of plastics, and the complete prohibition on the use of bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate baby bottles.
The FSVO published Consumer Goods Regulation of the Federal Department of Home Affairs [Bedarfsgegenständeverordnung Verordnung des Eidgenössischen Departements des Innern (EDI)] relating to Regulation of the EDI in December 2016. The majority of amendments will come into effect on May 1, 2017. The prohibition of BPA in polycarbonate baby bottles will, however, come into effect on May 1, 2018.
SGS Home Furnishings & Houseware Services
SGS technicians provide expertise and the full range of tests associated with materials and articles in contact with food. They work to ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. Learn more about SGS's Home Furnishings & Houseware Services (www.sgs.com/en/consumer-goods-retail/hardgoods/home-furnishings-and-houseware)
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Switzerland Strengthens Regulation on Food Contact Materials and Articles SafeGuardS. (www.sgs.com/en/News/2017/01/SafeGuards-01517-Switzerland-Strengthens-Regulation-on-Food-Contact-Materials-and-Articles)
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For further information contact:
Hing Wo 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 90,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,000 offices and laboratories around the world.
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