The European Commission has introduced Regulation (EU) 2025/351, aimed at enhancing food safety through stricter controls on food contact materials (FCMs). This regulation amends existing frameworks on plastics, good manufacturing practices (GMPs), and recycling standards, ensuring consumer protection while promoting sustainability.
Table of Contents
Clarification of Definitions
One of the significant changes introduced by Regulation (EU) 2025/351 is the clear distinction between additives and starting substances. This categorization helps streamline compliance and ensures the safety of materials used in food packaging. Additionally, the regulation defines reprocessing of plastic and UVCB substances (substances of unknown or variable composition), providing clarity to manufacturers and regulators.
High Purity Standards for Plastics
To ensure the safety of plastic materials in food contact applications, the regulation imposes strict purity requirements. It mandates that substances used in manufacturing must have a high degree of purity, with minimal non-intentionally added substances (NIAS). These measures reduce the risk of chemical migration into food and enhance overall food safety.
Safe Reprocessing of Plastic By-products
The regulation provides guidelines for the safe reprocessing of plastic by-products, encouraging the reuse of plastic waste without compromising food safety. Recycled plastic must meet stringent purity standards and undergo enhanced decontamination and traceability processes to maintain compliance.
Migration Limits in Multi-Material Articles and Transparency
To protect consumer health, the new regulation enforces strict migration limits on plastic layers in multi-material articles. These materials are now tested according to the plastic food contact materials regulation (EC) 10/2011 and are considered as plastics, provided that the plastic layer is in direct contact with food.
Biocidal Products and Recycled Plastics
The regulation ensures that biocidal products incorporated into plastic materials are explicitly authorized for food contact use. This measure prevents potential health risks from antimicrobial agents used in packaging.
Recycled plastic materials must meet high purity standards and relevant regulations. Manufacturing scraps and off-cuts intended for reuse must adhere to strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs). These provisions support the EU’s sustainability objectives while maintaining food safety.
Consumer Safety and Implementation Timeline
To help consumers use food contact plastics safely, manufacturers are required to educate the public on proper handling, cleaning, and maintenance. Reusable plastic materials must come with clear instructions on preservation and warning labels to prevent misuse.
Regulation (EU) 2025/351 will take effect on 16 September 2026. Products already compliant with previous regulations may continue to be sold until stock depletion, but new materials must meet the updated standards by the implementation date.
Conclusion
Regulation (EU) 2025/351 certainly aims to strengthen food contact material safety, sustainability, and transparency. By enhancing purity requirements, clarifying definitions, and ensuring the safe reuse of plastic materials, this regulation safeguards consumer health while promoting environmental responsibility. As industries adapt to these changes, compliance will be crucial to maintaining high safety and sustainability standards in food packaging.
If you need help regarding your packaging’s compliance, contact our team of experts.
