In a press release published on November 16, 2016 the European Container Glass Federation (FEVE) informed that on October 17, 2016 a letter was sent to the European Commission (EC) asking “to develop harmonized legislation for glass packaging materials intended for food contact in the context of the EC Roadmap on reviewing the food contact legislation,” in accordance with the request made by the European Parliament to the EC “to make use of all the available resources at its disposal to put forward harmonized legislation for the remaining 13 food contact materials not yet regulated at EU level.”
EU-harmonized legislation is clearly the preferred option compared to the variable national regulations, because it would “bring clarity on the market and enable fairer market controls for all glass packaging intended for food contact.” FEVE emphasizes that the same criteria should apply to imported glass packaging, as this ensures equal conditions for EU and non-EU products.
The European Directorate for Quality of Medicines & Health Care (EDQM) of the Council of Europe has already carried out a considerable amount of work on harmonized rules for glass as an FCM, and EDQM’s work can serve as a basis for EU legislation. FEVE further recommends that, instead of evaluating the starting substances used to produce an FCM, the testing should rather focus on finished FCMs and/or food contact articles, and the manufacturing process used.
Read more
FEVE (November 16, 2016). “Glass packaging for food contact: One set of harmonized testing methods.”
FEVE (October 17, 2016). “Glass packaging for food contact: One set of harmonized testing methods.” (pdf)
EC (2012). “ROADMAP Food Contact Materials – Specific provisions for materials other than plastics – implementing measure.” (pdf)
