Testing

Major revisions

Table 1. Main content of EU plastics regulation

Table A. Table of amendments to limit values for specific o-benzene substances in the revised directive and comparison with the current Regulation (EU) 10/2011

Table B. Five new authorized substances were added(FCM substance No 1078 to1083)

Transition period

To enable operators to adapt to the regulatory changes, a transition period of 18 months is allowed after the official entry into force of the regulation.

1) Plastic materials and articles complying with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 as applicable before the entry into force of this Regulation, which were first placed on the market before 1 February 2025 may remain on the market until the exhaustion of stocks.;

2) In case a product from an intermediate stage of the manufacturing of plastic materials and articles or a substance intended for the manufacturing of such a product, material or article, which complies with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 as applicable before the entry into force of this Regulation and which is first placed on the market after 1 May 2024 does not comply with this Regulation, the declaration of compliance available for that substance or product shall indicate that it does not comply with the present rules, and that it can only be used in the manufacture of plastic materials and articles to be placed on the market before 1 February 2025;

3) Plastic materials and articles manufactured with salicylic acid (FCM No 121) or manufactured with untreated wood flour or fibres from a specific wood species may continue to be first placed on the market after 1 February 2025 provided that the following conditions are fulfilled:

a.an application for the authorisation of that substance or of that untreated wood flour or fibre from a specific wood species has been submitted to the competent authority in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 before 1 August 2024;

b.the use of that substance or of that untreated flour or fibre from a specific wood species to manufacture a plastic material and article, and the use thereof, is limited to the intended conditions of use described in the application;

c.the information provided to the Authority in accordance with Article 9(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 includes a statement that the application is an application in accordance with this paragraph;

d. the Authority has considered the application valid.

AGC recommendations

ØChina has the richest bamboo resource in the world, In addition to disposable bamboo and wood products, there are a large number of plastic tableware with the addition of authorised bamboo and wood fibres, such as dense amine-bamboo fibre tableware exported to the EU. The directive (EU) 2023/1442 to the EU Plastics Regulation proposes to remove FCM 96 untreated wood flour and wood fibre from the positive list of additives, which will have a greater impact and influence on the export of plant fibre plastic products from China. For plastic products made from plant fibres exported to the EU, after the revised regulation comes into force, the only additives authorised for use are "crushed sunflower seed hulls" (FCM No 1060), which should be used in accordance with the corresponding restrictions. Plastic food contact products containing other plant fibres such as corn starch and bamboo fibres will be rejected at the border and banned from the EU market.

ØThe directive (EU) 2023/1442 to the EU Plastics Regulation intends to tighten the requirements for the restriction of o-benzene substances. Food contact plastic manufacturers whose target markets are EU countries should pay attention to the use of plasticisers in the production process, especially for PU, PVC, PVDC and other plastic types that may use large amounts of plasticisers.

AGC reminds: Relevant enterprises should pay close attention to the information on changes in standards, carry out relevant production and operation activities in strict accordance with the new standards, and update the test reports of relevant products in a timely manner so that the products can meet the latest requirements and be sold smoothly.