China consults on FCMs standard

The National Health Commission of China is consulting on proposed modification to the country’s main standard regulating food contact materials (FCMs), GB 9685-2016. GB 9685-2016, Standard for the Use of Additives in Food Contact Materials, contains a positive list of additives that is allowed to be used in FCMs and articles conditionally or unconditionally as prescribed in the standard. 

The new modifications lower the migration levels for following substances:

• 4,4'-methylenedianiline – to be amended to 0.002mg/kg. 

• 2-ethylhexanol – to be amended to 30mg/kg. 

• 1,2,4-benzenetricarboxylic acid – to be amended to 5mg/kg.

• eugenol to be introduced as not detected. 

• a polysiloxane with Cas number 156065-00-8 to be introduced as not detected; and 

• m-xylylenediamineto to be introduced at 0.05mg/kg. 

Additionally, companies are still allowed to use the additives currently permitted for use in food. The consultation is open until 20 March. If you would like to know more information about China regulatory requirements, please contact compliance@gpcregulatory.cn,