On November 23, 2023, we hosted a free webinar on the changes in the new standards for China food contact materials and articles food enterprises’ response. The playback of the webinar is now available. If you missed this webinar you can watch it free by following the link here. Many questions were raised during the webinar. We have collected the questions and made a Q&A summary as follows:

Recently, the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) discovered that Japan HOYU Limited had violated the requirements of the Cosmetics Supervision and Administration Regulations (CSAR) and the Measures for the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics Production and Operation in an unannounced inspection. The enterprise has changed the production process of its products without obtaining the authorisation, and is suspected of not producing cosmetics in accordance with the technical requirements stated in the cosmetics registration documents.

On September 25, 2023, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) released announcement No.6, 2023 regarding 85 national food safety standards, including 5 for food contact materials and articles (plastic, metal, rubber, composite materials and articles, and ink), and GB 31604.1-2023 General Rules for Migration Test of Food Contact Metal Materials and Articles. Please click here to check out the major changes in the five updated standards for food contact materials and articles. The list of standards translated is presented in the table below for your kind reference. If you want to get the full translation, please do not hesitate to contact CIRS at service@cirs-group.com with the Order Form attached. If you are also interested in the English versions of other published standards, feel free to contact us.

On November 6, 2023, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Union issued final opinion (SCCS/1656/23) on Benzyl salicylate. The preliminary opinion on the safety of Benzyl salicylate in cosmetics was released on June 13, 2023.

The United States Congress has proposed to amend a bill, adding substances including PFAS, ortho-phthalates, bisphenols, styrene, and antimony trioxide as unsafe for use in food contact materials. As an increasing number of states have enacted their own regulations on food safety, the House of Representatives has proposed to introduce an Act cited as the “No Toxic in Food Packaging Act of 2023” on October 26. The Act aims to federally prohibit the use of certain compounds in Food Contact Materials(FCMs). Notably, there is an overlap with restrictions outlined in the previously introduced U.S. Plastic Act. After several rounds of intense debate, the Congress ultimately decided to designate the following substances deemed unsafe for use as food contact substances in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act which comes into effect two years after the date of enactment of this Act.

On October 19, 2023, the initial planning regarding the KKDIK was initiated during the assessment meeting organized by the General Directorate of Environmental Management Chemicals Management Department within the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change. The draft text prepared in the weeks following the meeting was presented to NGOs. According to the draft submitted to NGOs by the Ministry on November 14, 2023, the KKDIK Regulation deadlines will be gradually extended depending on tonnage and classification.

On October 7, 2023, the National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China (NHC) issued Notice No.8 of 2023, officially approving tiger nut as a new food raw material. The notice does not specify any restrictions on its consumption level and usage scope.

On November 6, 2023, the European Union Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) issued the final safety opinion on Butylparaben in cosmetics (SCCS/1651/23). The preliminary comments on Butylparaben were released on June 6-7, 2023.

From our years of regulatory compliance experience, we've translated a selection of some frequently asked questions on health food to help you better understand the current requirements in China.

On November 13,2023, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) released the approval results of the 14th batch of simplified registrations for new chemical substances in 2023. In accordance with the Open Government Information Regulation of the People’s Republic of China (Order No. 711 of the State Council), MEE hereby publishes the approval results of the 14th batch of simplified registrations for new chemical substances.