2026 marks a watershed year for Food Contact Material (FCM) compliance in the European Union. The new plastics regulation is now in force, and the requirements on Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) and on the purity of starting substances have become legally binding. Since 16 September 2026, plastic articles produced under the old rules can no longer be placed on the EU market for the first time. RASFF data point in the same direction.
Between July and September 2026, new EU regulations significantly reshaped compliance for food contact materials (FCM). Key changes include a full ban on bisphenol A in single-use FCM, PPWR restrictions limiting PFAS in food packaging, updated purity rules for plastic FCM, and formal PET bottle recycled-content calculation guidelines including chemical recycling. Exporters must now back every shipment with updated Declarations of Conformity, mandatory BPA test reports (1 µg/kg detection limit), and documented PFAS screenings. Furthermore, recent RASFF data highlights bisphenol S, mineral oil, formaldehyde, and primary aromatic amine migrations as top compliance risks requiring routine testing.
China’s mandatory national food safety standards GB 4806.10-2025 (coatings and coated layers) and GB 4806.16-2025 (silicone rubber) took effect on September 2, 2026. The new standards introduce strict requirements, including limits on primary aromatic amines and volatile substances, requiring affected companies to immediately ensure full regulatory compliance.
Recently, the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) reported 15 cases of food-contact materials failing sampling inspections. Of these, 9 originated from China, 1 each from Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands, and 3 from unknown sources. The main reasons for non-compliance in this batch of notifications were: excessive migration of heavy metals — 10 cases; excessive migration of aromatic amines — 3 cases; missing compliance documentation — 2 cases; and insufficient product testing — 1 case.
In May 2026, the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) issued multiple notifications concerning food contact materials (FCMs). The alerts highlight ongoing compliance issues related to heavy metal migration, primary aromatic amine (PAA) release, and incomplete documentation.
On November 18, 2025, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) announced a public consultation concerning two new varieties of food-related products, including polyvinyl alcohol.
On September 25, 2025, the National Health Commission and the State Administration for Market Regulation jointly issued Announcement No. 6 of 2025, releasing 32 new national food safety standards and 2 amendments. Among these, four standards related to food contact materials include: GB 4806.10-2025 Coatings and Coatings for Use with Food Contact Materials and Articles GB 4806.16-2025 Silicone Rubber Materials and Products for Food Contact GB 31604.21-2025 Determination of Migration of Benzoic Acid, Phthalic Acid, and Terephthalic Acid in Food Contact Materials and Products GB 31604.64-2025 Determination of Migration of Citrate and Sebacate Compounds in Food Contact Materials and Products
On July 3, 2025, the China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment (CFSA) issued a significant announcement, officially soliciting public comments on the draft revision of the National Food Safety Standard - Standard for Uses of Additives in Food Contact Materials and Articles (Industry Draft for Comments). Commissioned by the National Health Commission (NHC), this revision aims to further enhance the safety of food contact materials.
On January 22, 2025, the European Union officially published the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40, also known as PPWR. This regulation will fully replace the existing Directive 94/62/EC on August 12, 2026, becoming the primary EU legislation for the management of packaging and packaging waste.
CIRS Testing is to host a free webinar on the Updated Overview and Analysis of Chinese Food Contact Material Standards on March 27, 2025 at 9:00 (EST). This session offers an in-depth look at the latest developments in the regulatory framework and standards for food contact materials in China. It is crucial for manufacturers, regulators, and industry stakeholders who need to stay updated with Chinese standards to ensure compliance. Whether you work in production or regulatory roles, this webinar will offer essential insights into effectively managing the complexities of food contact materials in China.
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