The European Commission has set out interim procedures food packagers must follow when using plastic additives, until the bloc establishes a unified list of authorised materials.
A unified list would make it easier for food companies to operate throughout the bloc, as member states currently have a separate authorisation procedures for plastic packaging.
The interim procedures were published by the European Commission yesterday as a means of helping companies meet the bloc's plastic food packing laws until new amendments come into force next year. Plastic materials that are not listed in two interim lists can not be used in the bloc for food packaging.
The interim lists are the list of additives contained in directive 2002/72/EC, which regulates plastic packaging materials, and a “provisional list” of other additives that are under evaluation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for possible approval.
At present the list of approved additives in directive 2002/72/EC is "incomplete", as other additives, not present on this list, may be used if they are permitted by the national laws of the various member states, the European Commission stated.
An amendment in 2004 was designed to turn the incomplete list into a positive list of additives that would apply consistently throughout the bloc. Only additives officially listed in the document could be used for the manufacture of plastic materials and articles.
The amending directive also provided for a procedure for the establishment of a positive list of additives through the adoption of a provisional list.
The date has not yet been fixed to turn the incomplete list into a positive list, the Commission stated. Under the directive the Commission will have to set an implementation date by 31 December 2007.
From 1 January 2008 and until the adoption of the positive list, two EU lists of additives will therefore continue to coexist, the Commission stated.
Manufacturers had until 31 December 2006 to submit scientific data on any additives not currently approved to EFSA for evaluation.
During the period when the submitted data is being evaluated, companies can continue to use the additive, subject to national laws, until EFSA issues an opinion. The Commission will establish, by 31 December 2007 at the latest, a provisional list of additives which may continue to be used after 31 December 2007.
Substances that have not been placed on the market in a member state before 31 December 2006 will not be included in the provisional list of additives. The material will be regarded as a new substance and can only be used after EFSA issues a favourable opinion.
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