The EU Framework Regulation 1935/2004 (EC) laid down requirements for packaging materials including plastics, paper, and board that come into contact with foods.
This regulation has been built on with several directives, amendments, and guidelines, which together have made compliance more difficult.
Intertek spokesperson Chantal Haarmann told FoodProductionDaily.com that as the rules have built up the company has received more and more enquires about compliance.
New positive list
Haarmann said the ‘trigger’ to develop a compliance support program was the introduction in January this year of an EU positive list of acceptable food packaging additives. This list sets out all the additives that can be used in food contact materials – companies must seek approval from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) before using any additives not on the list.
Haarmann said Intertek, which supplies quality and safety services, has received enquires about the new list and the broader food packaging regulation from across the supply chain.
For food manufacturers, Haarmann said the important thing is that their suppliers are able to provide ‘Declaration of Compliance’ documentation for their products.
Intertek said its compliance support program will help prevent supply chain interruptions, by avoiding compliance problems at early stages and solving problems rapidly when issues do occur. The program is expected to be of interest to a diverse range of companies across the supply chain, although Haarmann said it is SMEs that tend to have the most difficulty complying with the rules.