Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has unveiled new certification standards for beverage bottles, cleaning product containers, and cosmetics packaging. The criteria, effective from 24 January 2026, aim to cut down material use, encourage higher recycled content, and simplify recyclability processes. Certification Standards: Government Push Toward Circular Economy These standards are an…
Poland’s Ministry of Environment is preparing to roll out a fully state-run Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, sparking pushback from major packaging industry groups including EUROPEN, Cepi, Flexible Packaging Europe, and Pro Carton. The organizations warn that the proposed model risks undermining both the EU Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and the Packaging and Packaging Waste…
In a recent survey by McKinsey & Company, European consumers reveal how their attitudes toward sustainable packaging have shifted in 2025. The insights, drawn from roughly 1,000 respondents per country across five European nations, show clear trends, including regional nuances, and emphasize the delicate balancing act between sustainability, affordability, and practicality. Practical Priorities Still…
Mid-2025 marks a pivotal wave of updates in food contact material (FCM) regulations across three diverse markets: the Netherlands, Indonesia, and Brazil. While the Netherlands and Indonesia focus on tightening chemical thresholds and harmonizing standards, Brazil sets contaminant standards for recycled cellulosic food-contact materials. Netherlands Tightens Chemical Thresholds Across FCMs The Netherlands introduced amendments…
The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5.2), convened from August 5 to 15, 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, represented what many falsely hoped would be the final push toward a legally binding global plastics treaty to curb plastic pollution from production to disposal. Before the…
In 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is undergoing one of its most transformative regulatory shifts in decades. Prompted by public health concerns and administrative directives, changes in oversight of food contact materials (FCMs) now focus on post-market reassessment, elimination of loopholes, and alignment with best international practices. These reforms, anchored in a…
Nine of the UK’s largest supermarket chains have announced a “Statement of Intent” to explore reusable packaging across physical stores and online channels. Supported by WRAP and governments from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, this initiative aims to significantly reduce single-use packaging. Coalition of Major Retailers Taking Action The partnership involves Aldi, Asda, Co‑op, Lidl…
Switzerland is strengthening its chemical safety rules for food contact materials (FCMs) and articles to match stricter European Union standards. On June 2, 2025, the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) issued RO 2025 395 to amend the nation’s Food Contact Materials Ordinance (RS/SR 817.023.21). The updated measures took effect on July 1, 2025.…
In our previous article, we outlined Japan’s introduction of a Positive List (PL) system for food contact materials (FCMs) under the Food Sanitation Act. As the official enforcement date of June 1, 2025 passed, Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA) released crucial updates clarifying final procedures, exemptions, and a phased transition period. Positive List: Finalized Substances and…
The European Union continues to push for safer chemicals by placing new restrictions on two commonly used industrial solvents and expanding its Candidate List of hazardous substances. Companies across Europe now face tighter rules under REACH, the EU’s chemical safety law, that aim to protect workers, consumers, and the environment. Stricter Controls for DMAC…
In a recent publication by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), concerns surrounding the safety of PET bottles were addressed in detail. The report tackled common consumer questions regarding potential health risks posed by these containers, particularly focusing on hormonal effects, chemical migration, and taste alterations in bottled beverages. Assessing the Hormonal…
Our laboratory has officially expanded its accredited methods for chemical and mechanical testing, reinforcing our commitment to quality, compliance, and customer confidence. We are now accredited for a broader and more advanced range of metal determination techniques. These include the specific migration, total content, and extractable content of critical elements in packaging materials, crucial for…