With the advent of the new regulation (EU) 2022/1616, there are new rules for manufacturers and users of recycled plastic materials and articles.
The aim of the new regulation is to ensure that all routes for recycling plastics for the production of food contact materials are safe for consumers and when used in food businesses. To this end, a set of uniform rules on traceability and decontamination have been established.
Producers of recycled plastics must describe all processes and origins in a comprehensive process management system and record what they are monitored for. For users of these materials and articles, the rules are also extensive.
Food businesses that use recycled plastic packaging and items that come into direct contact with food must provide instructions to customers on how to handle them.
In the trade, all these materials and articles should have a declaration of conformity. Retailers should also have this information. Otherwise, they will not know what information they should provide to customers.
The declaration of conformity must include at least the limitations and specifications for use. Materials and articles are marked and must comply with the following requirements:
These new guidelines should be included in the company's quality system. If a hygiene code is used, these guidelines also apply according to the general HACCP principles to prevent contamination of the plastic. In particular, this concerns the reusability and refillability of packaging for certain product groups in retail and supermarkets, for example.
Source: Circular on the implementation of Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. FASFC, 19 February 2024
