Thai Industrial Standards Institute publishes updated standard for metal, fluoropolymer coated utensils in contact with hot foods; standard borrows from EU overall migration test methods for plastic materials and ISO standards; comes into force April 2, 2023; Thai ministries introduce tax incentive to reduce fossil-plastic use
November 1, 2022
ASEAN member actions on plastic and chemical pollution
Nations in Southeast Asia collectively working on reducing plastic pollution and related chemical hazards; Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) signs off on project to “combat” marine plastic; Thailand plans ban on plastic scrap imports; new research available on sources of plastic pollution in Indonesia and Vietnam; Vietnam and Singapore implementing stricter chemical regulations; extended producer responsibility for plastic waste becomes law in Philippines
October 19, 2022
2022 FPF Workshop: FCM developments in the last decade
On the morning of the Food Packaging Forum’s annual workshop, speakers discuss changes in food contact material (FCM) regulation in the EU, US, and Asia; panels discuss key research and policy developments over the last decade
June 2, 2022
Thailand publishes new standards for food contact plastics
Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) officially publishes standards for plastic utensils and microwaveable containers that come into contact with food; standards set migration limits for plastic food contact materials and defines how compliant packaging must be tested and marked; new standards effective January 3, 2023; improperly marked food contact articles will not be allowed on the market after the effective date
April 19, 2022
National parks in Thailand ban single use plastics
The Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation bans styrofoam packaging and single-use plastics from all 155 national parks in the country; those caught with single-use food containers, cups, or utensils could face a fine up to 100,000 baht ($3,000 USD); Elephants and other animals reportedly eating plastics in national park north of Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok)
April 7, 2022
Global Food Contact Conference 2022: updates from Asia
Smithers conference covers global developments in food contact regulations and materials; speakers on day two review recent and upcoming changes to food packaging regulations in China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia
June 12, 2020
Thai authorities launch survey on FCMs
Thai Ministry of Public Health publishes survey collecting information about eight categories of FCMs currently on the market; results to inform FCM guidelines; responses being accepted until July 15, 2020
February 24, 2020
Thailand considers use of recycled plastic FCMs
Food and Drug Administration publishes survey to collect information on chemicals used in virgin polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) production; results to inform updating regulation, responses due by April 10, 2020
September 10, 2019
Thai consultation defining food contact materials
National authorities close public consultation on the matter; new definition would create need for national FCM standard; timeline for resulting regulatory amendments still unannounced
