On March 13, 2024 the European Commission opened the public consultation on the draft of a new regulation which will update Regulation (EU) no. 10/2011 on plastic materials intended for contact with food.
This legislative measure was necessary in particular to align with Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 on recycled plastics and Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012 on biocidal products
Main updates of the new regulation
The main changes brought by the new regulation will concern:
- Clarifications regarding the purity requirements of authorized substances and rules for the use of authorized natural materials.
- Indications on the reprocessing of plastic materials (processing waste and scraps).
- Integration into Regulation (EC) no. 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practices for MOCA, rules on quality control and management of waste and processing scraps.
- Elimination of article 7 (provisional list) and revision of the exemptions for substances not included in the Union list for biocidal products already authorized in Regulation (EU) 528/2012 for food contact (PT4), for use as additives for plastic materials.
- Review of migration testing rules for multi-material multilayer fcm: application of migration limits when the plastic material is the layer in contact with food.
- Review of tests and labelling for articles intended for repeated use.
- Review of the declaration of compliance with the addition of new points for indications on recycled plastics and the possible reprocessing of plastic material.
Transitional Provisions
The new update provides for an 18-month transition period to facilitate the adaptation of the industries involved.
Consultation and Publication
The Commission opened the public consultation from 13 March to 10 April 2024, inviting all interested parties to actively participate in the definition of this new legislative measure.
The adoption of the new Regulation is scheduled for the second quarter of 2024.
