China Proposes to Update the GB/T Standard for Plastic Laminated Films and Bags Used for Liquid Food Packaging

Starting from the end of November 2023, GB/T 19741 Plastic Laminated Films and Bags Using for Liquid Food Packaging is opening for public feedback. Any comments can be sent back prior to January 12, 2024.

The new standard is proposed to replace GB 19741-2005, which became a voluntary standard from Mar 23, 2017. Compared with the current version, the major revisions are listed as below:

Definition and classification

The exposure draft removes the product thickness requirement of being less than 0.2 mm. Besides, the classification criteria are updated as follows:

By material structure:

• plastic composite film (SS films/bags)

• plastic and paper composite films (ZS films/bags)

• plastic and aluminum foil/other barrier materials (LS films/bags)

• plastic, paper and aluminum foil composite films (ZLS films/bags)

By functions:

• Conventional packaging

• Aseptic packaging

By product forms:

• Coiling block

• Package bag

Printing quality

The draft specifies the referenced standards regarding quality and testing method of intaglio printing, flexographic printing, planographic printing, digital printing, and bar code printing.

Physical properties

The physical properties of products classified by material structure and by functions are newly included in the draft.

In addition, it adds the requirements for water vapor permeance, heat resistance and medium resistance, and updates the testing methods of some indicators such as pulling strength and tensile strength.