China Consults on Standard For Composite FCMs

China is consulting on a draft national standard for composite food contact materials (FCMs) and articles.

The draft, issued by the National Reference Laboratory for FCM (IQTC), sets out various requirements for products, such as:

paper-plastic;

plastic-plastic;

paper-plastic-aluminum foil;

plastic-aluminum foil; and

other complex food contact materials and products, including the adhesive used to stick layers together.

It does not cover those made of blended materials or coated metals.

The standard GB 4806.1 replaces GB9638-88, and will be part of the GB4806.xx-xxxxx series.

According to ITQC, the main changes are:

the scope of application;

increased requirements for raw materials and additives; and

increased indicators to measure solvent residues, migration of aromatic primary amine and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) and its derivatives, among other tests.

The draft also strengthens existing indicators and tests for microbials, migration, screening and identification of products.

The comment period on the draft standard is open until 16 July. It follows the adoption of a raft of other FCM standards last year.

Subscribers to CW+AsiaHub are provided with more details on this story, plus access to English translations of GB 4806.1-2016 on general requirements for FCMs, and GB 9685-2016 on the use of additives for FCMs and products (available for a fee to non-subscribers/CW subscribers).