Geneva (April 16, 2025) – SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published SafeGuardS 055.25, highlighting China’s announcement of several new national standards for food contact materials (FCM) and articles.
China’s National Health Commission (NHC) and the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced five new standards and an amendment to one standard. The five new standards, which will be implemented on September 16, 2025, are:
– GB 31604.30-2025 ‘Food contact materials and articles – Determination of phthalate esters and migration’
– GB 31604.31-2025 ‘Food contact materials and articles – Determination of residual and migration of vinyl chloride, 1,1-dichloroethylene and 1,1-dichloroethane’
– GB 31604.61-2025 ‘Food contact materials and articles – Determination of migration of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol’
– GB 31604.62-2025 ‘Food contact materials and articles – Determination of migration and release of N-nitrosamines’
– GB 31604.63-2025 ‘Food contact materials and articles – Determination of 4,4’-biphenyl glycol and 1,1’-sulphonyl bis(4-chlorobenzene)’
Amendment No.1 to GB 9685-2016 ‘National food safety standard for the use of additives in FCM and articles’ was also included in the announcement. This is an important standard with an authorized list of substances and their specifications for plastic, paints and coatings, rubber, inks, adhesives, paper and board and other materials, such as silicone and rubber.
Effective from March 16, 2025, Amendment No.1 to GB 9685-2016 includes:
– A modification to the specifications for starch 2-hydroxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propyl ether, chloride, oxidized (FCA number 1221, Table A.6))
– Updated Chinese names for several additives (Table E)
– A replacement of the specific migration limit (SML) requirements for FCA0064 (Table A.2) and several entries in Table A.6
– The addition of entries 33 to 35 for total specific migration limits (SML, Table B.1)
SGS experts publish SafeGuardS to inform stakeholders about regulatory changes that could impact their business. SafeGuardS 055.25 includes a useful table with information on the new and amended national food safety standards.
Stakeholders are encouraged to refer to the original SafeGuardS 055.25 for more details.
SGS food contact material services
SGS’s technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles in contact with food. They can ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. SGS offers the full range of testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s food contact material services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full China Announces New Mandatory Standards for Food Contact Materials SafeGuardS.
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