SAC to Investigate the Implementation of Excessive Package Restriction of Foods and Cosmetics

SAC is now conducting investigation on the implementation of the “Requirements of Restricting Excessive Package – Foods and Cosmetics (GB 23350-2009)”, which was jointly released by General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and Standardization Administration of People's Republic of China (SAC) on 31 March 2009 and has come into effect as of 1 April of 2010.

To set restrictions against the serious problem of packaging waste, China published the excessive packaging regulation, initially covering the packing of beverage, cake, grain, health food, cosmetics and other foods. The detailed limitation requirements and limitation index calculation method of the package layers, interspace ratio and the ratio of the package cost to sale price are specified in the regulation. The maximum limitations of the three parts are listed below:

• Package layers≤3

• Interspace ratio≤60%

• Ratio of the package cost to sale price≤20% (except for the original package)

Apart from the above mentioned GB 23350-2009, there’s another compulsory standard in China restricting the excessive package, namely the Moon Cake (GB 19855-2005), which has been effective since 1 June, 2012. Understanding of these compulsory standards is important for both brand owners and the package suppliers to operate in Chinese market.

Interested parties of consumers, domestics and foods producers and the quality testing, supervision and management personnel are welcome to download their corresponding investigation questionnaires on SAC website and feedback during 10 September to 31 October of 2012.