On 17-18 Sep 2015, REACH24H Consulting Group (the founder of ChemLinked) held the China Food and Food Contact Materials Regulatory Summit in Shanghai. The focus of this summit was to offer attendees a chance to meet Chinese government officials from key regulatory authorities and understand the significance of China’s most recent food legislative and regulatory changes and any important changes in regulatory compliance and market access requirements.
Chronologically Ordered List of Most Significant Regulatory Changes in 2015
2015-01-20 The draft of food contact additives standard GB 9685 released (ChemLinked news & English version)
2015-04-25 The new Food Safety Law released (ChemLinked analysis & English version)
2015-05-24 New food additive standard GB 2760-2014 takes effect (ChemLinked English version)
2015-07-01 New labeling standard GB 13432-2013 takes effect (ChemLinked analysis & English version)
2015-07-28 Drafts of new health food registration rules issued (ChemLinked news & English version)
2015-08-10 CFDA compiling new rules for registration of infant formula product formulation (ChemLinked news)
Rapid growth in Cross-border e-commerce in China makes the regulation of on-line foods another key focus(ChemLinked report)
This is the second year of REACH24H’s “China regulatory affairs conference”. More than 100 delegates from food companies, packaging companies and law firms attended the meeting taking advantage of the opportunity to ask government officials and experts about food importation, use of specific food additives, health food raw materials, food labelling, cross-border e-commerce and so on. Compared to last year’s CRAC (see CL Food news on 20 Oct 2014), this year’s summit focused on China’s new Food Safety Law and provided practical regulatory compliance advice from representatives of China’s food competent authorities including NHFPC, AQSIQ and local CIQs.
Takehome Points
Mr. Jiao Yang from AQSIQ confirmed that the formulations of imported infant formula will be subject to registration but that the government is still discussing which authority will be responsible (CFDA or AQSIQ). (Extended Reading)
Mr. Chen Jianliang from Shanghai CIQ disclosed that AQSIQ is formulating a new labelling regulation for imported food and plans to adjust the current management system. (Extended Reading)
Mr. Ye Zhiping from Shanghai CIQ predicts that the Chinese government will in the future require CNCA registration of all overseas food manufacturers whose products are exported to China and will adopt a phased approach to gradually extend the policy to all import. (Extended Reading)
Mr. Lin Fei from China’s National Institute for Food and Drug Control indicated that there is considerable public debate regarding the controversial points in the health food draft regulations, and also concluded the major changes and new requirements for health food registration in China. (Extended Reading)
Mr. Xuan Jie from China (Hangzhou) Cross-Border E-Commerce Comprehensive Pilot Area said currently there is still no regulation for imported foods sold on CBEC platforms.
We provide full-scale global food market entry services (including product registration, ingredient review, regulatory consultation, customized training, market research, branding strategy). Please contact us to discuss how we can help you by 
