Thailand to Mandate Standard for Food-Contact Stainless Steel Containers and Utensils

On March 13, 2025, Thailand's Ministry of Industry notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of a draft ministerial regulation that mandates stainless steel containers and utensils used in the food industry to comply with the Thai Industrial Standard (TIS) 3206-2567 (2024) for Stainless Steel Utensils for Food: Safety Requirements.

1. Scope of the Regulation  

The draft regulation applies to stainless steel utensils that come into direct contact with food and beverages, regardless of their form or how they are consumed. The covered items include:

• Pots – Containers of various shapes for heating liquids

• Pans – Containers with deep-bottomed, flared, shallow, or flat bases, used for cooking (e.g., stir-frying, frying, grilling, boiling)

• Plates – Flat-shaped containers

• Bowls – Containers with curved or inward-bent rims

• Food Trays – Low, flat containers with rims, including compartment trays and warming trays

• Food Containers – Stackable or non-stackable containers with lids

• Beverage Containers – Items such as glasses, tumblers, bottles, and flasks

• Spoons, Forks, and Chopsticks – Utensils for eating or handling food

• Spatulas and Ladles – Used for flipping or scooping food

• Dippers – Handled containers for scooping liquids

2. Key Provisions of TIS 3206-2567 

• Coverage: The standard applies to stainless steel containers and utensils in direct contact with food and beverages. It excludes cooking vessels, storage or transport containers, and industrial equipment used in manufacturing or slaughterhouses.

• Material requirements: Manufacturers must provide quality certification or analysis results from an institute or agency recognized by the Industrial Product Standards Office.

• Product category:

  1) Containers (capable of holding contents): such as pots, pans, plates, and bowls.

  2)  Non-containers (not capable of holding contents): such as spoons, forks, and chop.

• General characteristics: Products must be free from sharp edges, dents, cracks, fractures, or other defects. They must also be easy to clean, with inspections conducted through visual examination.

• Specific release limits (SRLs): The total amount of each heavy metal released must not exceed the set limits:

• Packaging: Containers and utensils must be properly wrapped in suitable and clean packaging.

• Labeling: Each unit of packaging must display, at a minimum, the following details in a visible and clearly readable manner using numbers, letters, or symbols:

  1) Name of the container or utensil.

  2) Material used or primary composition.

  3) Month, year of manufacture, and batch code.

  4) Name of the manufacturer, importer, or factory, or a registered trademark.

  If a foreign language is used, it must accurately reflect the Thai text.

• Sampling and acceptance criteria: Compliance will be assessed based on Appendix A of the standard.