Service Background

      The EU is one of the major export destinations for Chinese tableware, cooking utensils and other food contact articles. The EU adopts a regulatory framework of “general framework regulation plus material-specific regulations” for food contact materials and articles. All food contact materials and articles shall first satisfy the basic safety requirements laid down in the Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004. For specific materials such as plastics, additional compliance with corresponding material-specific regulations is mandatory. Where no harmonised EU-specific legislation is available for certain materials, individual Member States may impose supplementary requirements based on national laws and regulatory practices.

      Meanwhile, the EU has established the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) to enable rapid exchange of risk information among competent authorities, covering food contact materials. If enterprises fail to meet regulatory requirements, they may face compliance risks such as notifications, recalls, rejection or destruction of goods during import, distribution or market surveillance.

      In accordance with the EU general regulation, material-specific regulations and relevant technical documents for food contact materials, provides enterprises with regulation interpretation, testing assessment and compliance technical support. We help clients identify applicable requirements for target markets and conduct relevant conformity verification.

Scope of Service

Tableware: knives, forks, bowls, chopsticks, spoons, plates, water cups, vacuum flasks, mugs, drinking straws, etc.

Kitchen utensils: pots, turners, cutting boards, food storage containers, airtight jars, baking moulds, etc.

Infant feeding articles: baby bottles, sippy cups, baby feeding tableware, etc.

Packaging materials and containers: packaging bags, takeaway food containers, disposable lunch boxes, plastic wrap, aluminium foil, etc.

Domestic kitchen appliances (food contact parts): coffee makers, juicers, blenders, electric kettles, rice cookers, ovens, etc.

Commercial food processing equipment (food contact parts): internal components of commercial equipment, food contact conveyor belts, diversion pipelines, etc.

Common Regulatory / Guideline References for Testing

● Framework Regulation: (EC) No 1935/2004

● Plastics: EU 10/2011 and its amendments

● Ceramics: 84/500/EEC; 2005/31/EC

● Coatings: ResAP(2004)1

● Rubber: ResAP(2004)4

● Silicone rubber: ResAP(2004)5

● Paper and board: EDQM Technical Guide—Paper and board used in food contact materials and articles

● Metals and alloys: EDQM Technical Guide—Metals and alloys used in food contact materials and articles