ECMA Food Contact Network Update

• The adoption of the PPWR means PFAS in food packaging will be restricted from mid-2026 on.
• ISEGA comments regarding the ECMA statement on appropriate testing conditions.
• BRCGS Global Packaging Materials. Issue 7 was published.
• The obligations included in the General Product Safety Regulation.
• Short notices : Talcum in board, substances still missing on the German printing ink ordinance list, latest status on the French MO measure on inks, an additional comprehensive German statement on Mineral Oils.      

• ECMA Statement in relation to the French Order on mineral oils in inks and the included much stricter rules on MOSH and MOAH,
  from January 2025 on.
• Update on considered food safety sector projects.
• Commission Regulation (EU) 2024/2462 on PFHxA.
• Recent RASFF notifications.
• Review ECMA Food Safety Documents:
• Checklist to use with customers 
• Food Contact Status Declaration
• LCA database developed by RISE,  available from the Pro Carton website.

ECMA Food Contact Update 21 August 2024

• Overview of upcoming conferences and seminars in the second half of 2024
• DG SANTE circulated an FAQ document on the intended regulatory measure on mineral oils in food
• Very strict limits on mineral oils in printing inks will apply in France in January 2025. EuPIA developed a new information note with background and guidance
• In the context of the revision of the Swiss printing ink ordinance, the Swiss Packaging Institute is launching a project on how to issue appropriate declarations of conformity

 ECMA Food Contact Update 5 August 2024

• The assessment of the NIAS substances in cartons is a complex issue.
  Recent meetings of the ECMA Food Safety Committee have reviewed existing ILSI documentation and discussed ways forward at industry level.
• In the June meeting, reports were provided on the visit of FERA the 23/04 and on the workshop organised by the Commission on “supporting safer and more sustainable FCM’.
• Peter Benisch (Bio Detection Systems) joined the FS Com meeting for sharing his views on the use of bio assays in the perspective of the EU Green Deal.   

ECMA Food Contact Update 17 June 2024

• The Regulation banning the intentional use of BPA has been adopted in the Standing Committee (SCoPAFF). All requirements related to the monitoring of BPA in recycled paper and board were left out.
  BPA 120624 1013-EN final
  BPA 120624 1013-EN ANNEX final
• Follow-up information on MMMLs in the quality amendment, POPs, allergens, PFAS  and announcement of the BioDetectors conference.
• Recent RASFF notifications on pizza boxes and mineral oil contaminations in food. 

April 2024
ECMA Food Contact Update 30 April 2024

• ECMA statement on testing conditions. Accelerated compliance tests for finished cartons stored at room temperature need in most cases to be performed at 40 °C and a testing time of 30 days may be required to well cover the migration for long term storage.
• EuPIA migration study conducted at Fraunhofer IVV.
• French Decree on mineral oil in inks. A note was adopted at the PIJITF. 
• BPA - Common positions by ECMA and Pro Carton.  

ECMA Food Contact Update 29 March 2024

• Consultative meeting with EuPIA. The reported outcome covers, accurate food safety information sharing, the need to check with suppliers if PFAS and BPA have been substituted by other substances in the used inks, appropriate testing conditions, compliance with the French MO limits in inks, the UTC limits for PCB’s in pigments, the presence of wheat (allergen) in printing powders.
• Review of the EU Food Contact Materials legislation. Update on the workshop organised by DG Sante and Ernst & Young the 15/03 on different policy options to support the required IT infrastructure for food safety information exchange.
• Council of Europe. The draft “Technical Guide on documentation supporting compliance and safety of food contact materials and articles” is available on the EDQM website and open for consultation.
• Presentation at the PTS conference Paper and Board for Food Contact.  

Presentations PTS Paper & Board for Food Contact:

• Current food safety topics and developed guidance within the carton sector
• Food safety development in the folding carton industry supply chain
• ECMA's viewpoint in the inception impact assessment of the roadmap for revising the EU FCM Regulations

ECMA Food Contact Network Update 5 March 2024

• The Draft Regulation on BPA published by the Commission. Main content and positions developed so far.
• Food safety information exchange in supply chains.  Ernst & Young will soon present its draft report on different policy options to support the needed IT infrastructures.
• JRC Technical Report on testing conditions for kitchenware articles in contact with foodstuffs. The 4^th edition contains also specific guidance in relation to paper and board.
• The update of the Swiss printing ordinance.  

ECMA Food Contact Network Update 25 January 2024

• DG SANTE intends to adopt a Regulation on the maximum levels of MOAH in food and a Recommendation with indicative levels for MOSH.
• The ECMA Food Safety Committee is developing a position on appropriate testing conditions for long term storage at room temperature.
• Printing powders can contain wheat classified as an allergen.
• Food Safety Documents available from the ECMA website.