Switzerland has revised its regulations on food contact materials, specifically targeting plastics and packaging inks. These changes, published in Official Collection 2024 755, have come into force from January 1, 2025. The amendments focus on enhancing consumer safety by tightening restrictions on certain chemical substances used in the production of these materials.
Table of Contents
Key Amendments to Annex 2: Plastics Materials and Articles
Significant updates have been made to Annex 2, which governs the substances allowed in plastic materials and articles:
- Stricter Specific Migration Limits (SMLs): Lowered SMLs for hazardous phthalates, limiting how much of these substances can migrate into food:
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- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): 0.12 mg/kg (previously 0.30 mg/kg)
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): 6 mg/kg (previously 30 mg/kg)
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): 0.6 mg/kg (previously 1.5 mg/kg)
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- New Group Restriction No. 43: Introduces a combined SML of 0.6 mg/kg for DBP, BBP, DEHP, and Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP), using a specified calculation formula.
- DINP Restrictions: Prohibit the use of Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) in combination with DBP, BBP, DEHP, or DIBP.
- Strengthened Group Restriction No. 26: Lowers the combined SML for DINP and Diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) from 9 mg/kg to 1.8 mg/kg.
Updates to Annex 10: Packaging Inks
Annex 10, regulating packaging inks, has also been updated to reflect stricter safety standards:
- Tightened SMLs:
- DBP:12 mg/kg
- BBP: 6 mg/kg
- DEHP:6 mg/kg
- New Group Restriction No. 43: Applies a total SML of 0.6 mg/kg for DBP, BBP, DEHP, and DIBP.
- Addition of New Substances: Newly approved substances include adipic acid dihydrazide and diacetone acrylamide.
- Enhanced Group Restriction No. 26: Reduced combined SML for DINP and DIDP to 1.8 mg/kg, strengthening previous safety measures.
Health and Safety Implications
The reduction of SMLs for hazardous substances like DBP, BBP, DEHP, DINP, and DIDP aims to lower the risk of chemical contamination in food products. These phthalates have been associated with various health concerns, including hormonal disruptions and reproductive toxicity. Stricter regulations are essential to minimizing consumer exposure and ensuring safer food packaging.
Alignment with European Union Standards
Switzerland’s updated regulations are now closely aligned with the European Union’s Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1442, which amends Regulation (EU) 10/2011 on food contact plastics. This harmonization ensures consistent safety standards across Europe, facilitating trade and reinforcing public health protections.
Conclusion
Switzerland’s regulatory updates represent a proactive move to safeguard public health by imposing stricter limits on harmful chemicals in plastics and packaging inks. The alignment with EU standards not only enhances consumer safety but also fosters international regulatory coherence, promoting safer food contact materials on a global scale.
