What are the relevant standards for International and Domestic Food Contact Materials.

April 19, 2017, China initiated domestic testing protocols for food contact materials in accordance with the mandatory requirements outlined in the GB 4806 series of standards. These standards, which encompass general safety benchmarks, also delineate specific testing requisites for various materials. Moreover, China has established the GB 31604.1-53 series of food safety testing standards and GB 31603-2015 general hygienic specifications for the production of food contact materials and products.

In adherence to common standards, China has implemented the following regulations:

• GB4806.1-2016 National Food Safety Standard: General Safety Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Products
• GB 4806.2-2015: Pacifiers
• GB 4806.3-2016: Enamel Products
• GB 4806.4-2016: Ceramic Products
• GB 4806.6-2016: Plastic Resins for Food Contact
• GB 4806.7-2016: Plastic Materials and Products for Food Contact
• GB 4806.8-2022: Paper and Cardboard Materials and Products for Food Contact
• GB 4806.9-2016: Metal Materials and Products for Food Contact
• GB 4806.10-2016: Coatings and Coatings for Food Contact
• GB 4806.11-2016: Rubber Materials and Products for Food Contact
• GB 4806.12-2022: Bamboo and Wood Materials and Products for Food Contact
• GB 31603-2015: General Hygienic Specifications for the Production of Food Contact Materials and Products
• GB 31604.1-2015: General Principles for Migration Testing of Food Contact Materials and Products
• GB 31604.2-53 series: Various testing standards for food contact materials and products

Standards and Regulations governing Food Contact Materials in the EU and US Markets

European Union (EU) Standards

• Regulation (EC) NO 1935/2004: This regulation establishes the overarching principles governing materials and articles intended to be in contact with food. It delineates requirements concerning the safety and appropriateness of food contact materials and articles
• Regulation (EU) NO 10/2011: This regulation provides specific directives for plastic materials and articles intended for contact with food. It includes provisions related to plastic composition, migration thresholds for substances, and labeling specification
• Regulation (EC) NO 2023/2006: This regulation outlines good manufacturing practices applicable to materials and articles intended for food contact. It addresses aspects such as traceability, documentation, and quality management systems
• EN 1186 Series: This series of standards prescribes testing methodologies for assessing overall migration, specific migration, and substance determination in food contact materials made from plastics, rubbers, paper, and board
• EN 13130 Series: These standards encompass specific migration testing protocols applicable to materials and articles intended for food contact 

United States (US) Standards

• FDA Regulation 21 CFR 170-199: This regulation encompasses general requisites for food contact materials within the United States. It encompasses stipulations regarding substances generally recognized as safe (GRAS), food additives, and food contact substances
• FDA Regulation 21 CFR 175-178: These regulations specify requirements for various types of food contact materials, including adhesives, coatings, paper and paperboard, and polymers
• FDA Regulation 21 CFR 177: This regulation focuses on requirements for polyolefin resins within the United States, incorporating migration thresholds and testing methodologies for their use in food contact applications.
• FDA Compliance Policy Guides (CPGs): These guides offer supplementary guidance on specific topics pertaining to food contact materials and articles
• ASTM International Standards: ASTM develops and publishes voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services, including those related to food contact materials. Notable ASTM standards such as ASTM F1361 and ASTM D6866 are pertinent to the testing of food contact materials

These standards and regulations play a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and suitability of food contact materials in both the EU and US markets, mandating compliance with manufacturers and suppliers to uphold consumer health and well-being.