China Tightens Food Safety Laws with Regulation on Food Contact Glass and Ceramic

The National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHFPC) released draft regulations for food contact glass and ceramic in February 2015. Now the public hearing period is over, the legislators are making the final revisions and will submit for approval in the near future.

Complete Draft of the Food Safety Regulation Available for Viewing

The draft can be downloaded through the link here (http://www.cfsa.net.cn/Article/News.aspx?id=FF536F7F21BE839CE11DD1E8C20A197FAA6FE62CC6CD5D99).

Modifications Include Food Labeling Requirements

Major modifications in ceramic regulation:

1.    The new ceramic regulation will replace GB 13121-91, GB 14147-1993, GB 8058-2003 and GB 12651-2003, as the only regulation for food contact ceramic.
2.    Modified sensory (appearance) requirements.
3.    The classification of ceramic articles are similar to GB 12651-2003 except:
a)    The capacity of pitchers are specified as >3L.
b)    The special ware is no longer differentiated.
4.    Compared to GB 12651-2003, the unit for flatware has been changed from mg/L to mg/dm2. As the corresponding test method, the general migration method for food contact materials, has not yet been published, it is speculated that a 6dm2:1L conventional migration ratio will be applied, which makes the new limits slightly lower than before.

It seems labeling requirements will also be included in the future GB regulation for food contact materials. For detailed information on the regulation on food contact glass and ceramic, please refer to the table within the latest Safeguards bulletin (http://newsletter.sgs.com/eNewsletterPro/uploadedimages/000006/sgs-safeguards-08215-china-draft-gb-regulation-food-contact-glass-ceramic-a4-en-15.pdf).

About SGS Hardgoods Safety Services

SGS technical experts have extensive knowledge and testing experience in materials and articles in contact with food. They work to ensure that products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials (http://www.sgs.com/en/Consumer-Goods-Retail/Hardgoods/Home-Furnishings-and-Houseware/Testing/Food-Contact-Tests.aspx) and pave the way for compliance. From overall migration test to expert advice on emerging regulations and compliance issues and documentation review, SGS is the partner to trust. Please do not hesitate to contact an SGS representative for further information or visit the SGS website.

Contact details:

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Dr. Udo Krischke
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Website: http://www.sgs.com/cgnr

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