Business and Law

The European Union’s Single-Use-Plastics Directive: Plastics caps and lids

In the European Union, food-contact materials (FCMs) are strictly regulated to ensure the safety of consumers and the integrity of food products. Plastics, a key component in food packaging, are the only FCMs governed by specific EU-level legislation under Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011, also known as the Plastics Regulation. Here, we break down the framework governing FCMs and focus on what this means for plastic materials used in food applications.

Framework and GMP Regulations

All FCMs, regardless of their type, must comply with the Framework Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004, which mandates that materials:

  1. Do not endanger human health.
  2. Do not alter the food’s composition.
  3. Maintain the food’s sensory qualities (taste, smell, etc.).

Manufacturers must also adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) under Regulation (EC) No. 2023/2006, ensuring that materials consistently meet quality and safety standards through documented quality control systems.

Plastic-Specific Regulations

The Plastics Regulation introduces stringent rules for plastic FCMs, focusing on:

  1. Scope: Covers materials made entirely of plastic, plastic layers in multi-materials, and plastic gaskets in caps and closures.
  2. Compositional Requirements: Only substances listed in the Union List (monomers, additives, polymer production aids, and certain macromolecules) can be intentionally used in manufacturing.
  3. Migration Limits: Enforces specific and overall migration limits (SMLs and OMLs) to control the transfer of substances from plastic to food.

Substances outside the Plastics Regulation, such as colorants and solvents, must still comply with the Framework Regulation’s general safety standards or individual member state legislation.

Ensuring Compliance: Declarations of Compliance (DOCs)

Manufacturers of plastic FCMs must provide a Declaration of Compliance (DOC) to confirm that products meet EU standards. This document, mandatory throughout the supply chain (except at the retail stage), details the product’s compliance with compositional, migration, and safety requirements.

Despite the harmonization provided by the Plastics Regulation, compliance remains complex due to:

  • Frequent amendments to regulations.
  • Gaps in harmonization for non-plastic FCMs.
  • Rigorous testing and documentation requirements.

For Plastrans Technologies, which offers advanced polymer solutions, staying abreast of these regulations is crucial. Our focus on biobased polyethylene (Bio-PE) and biobased polypropylene (Bio-PP) aligns with the EU’s drive for sustainable yet compliant food-contact materials. Leveraging expertise in material science and compliance ensures our products meet both safety and sustainability benchmarks.

As industry leaders, we guide our partners through these regulatory landscapes, ensuring they meet market demands while adhering to legal requirements.
The evolving nature of EU regulations for food-contact plastics underscores the importance of innovation paired with compliance.