The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) has published the first edition of the technical guide entitled “Paper and board used in food contact materials and articles”, following the October 2020 adoption of the resolution on the safety and quality of materials and articles for contact with food¹ by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.²

This publication incorporates the resolution and its guiding principles and provides technical guidance relating to the requirements, compliance testing and supporting documentation for paper and board materials. It was drafted by the European Committee for Food Contact Materials and Articles (CD-P-MCA) and was subject to a public stakeholder consultation in 2020.

This guidance document is expected to improve the protection of consumers against contaminants (metals, antioxidants, stabilisers, colorants, plasticisers, etc.) potentially released by materials in contact with food (packaging, containers, plates, cups, straws, baking and filter papers, napkins, etc.). It also aims to support the harmonisation of regulatory approaches to consumer health protection across Europe.

The publication can be downloaded for FREE from the EDQM Freepub website.

See also:

• More information on the work of the EDQM/Council of Europe on ensuring the safety and quality of food contact materials and articles
• Terms of reference of the European Committee for Food Contact Materials and Articles (CD-P-MCA)