On April 7, 2016, China AQSIQ released the announcement of “Practice for Inspection and Supervision of Imported Food Contact Materials”, which became effective as of April 10, 2016.
Applicable scope:
This regulation mainly applies to the containers, utensils and tableware made of paper, bamboo & wood, metal, enamel, ceramics, plastics, rubber, natural fiber, chemical fiber and glass or their compound materials that contact with food or food additives.
Competent authority:
AQSIQ and local CIQs will take charge of the management of imported food contact materials.
Product filing:
The importer or import agency of food contact materials may submit relevant dossiers to local CIQs for product filing. After the applicant qualification, application materials and product testing report are evaluated as qualified, relevant filing certificate will be issued with a validity period of 3 years.
Product inspection:
For the food contact materials that have already been filed, sampling inspection will be carried out with the annual sampling inspection ratio not less than 5% of the total import volume for each individual importer and for each specific product category imported by that importer.
For food contact materials that have not been filed, it should be inspected batch by batch, and the annual testing rate should not be less than 30% of the import volume. Lab testing must be conducted for food contact materials imported for the first time.
Product traceability:
The importers or agencies are required to establish product traceability management files, including supplier traceability management system, product testing report, and the detailed product information (product name, specifications, quantity, etc.), which should be kept for no less than 2 years.
Labeling requirements:
The following information should be included in the product label and users’ directions:
- Product name, materials, producing country (district), importer’s info;
- Shelf life (for the products that should be used within a limit timeline);
- Applicable condition, warning symbol or warning instructions
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