New Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Articles in Brazil

Manufacturers and suppliers of food contact packaging, utensils, lids and metallic equipment are advised of Brazil’s amendments to its Technical Regulation.

Brazil’s Ministry of Health and National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) published Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors (RDC) No. 498 of May 20, 2021, on May 26, 2021. This amends RDC No. 20/2007 and transposes Mercosur’s GMC Resolution No. 16 of December 17, 2020, into Brazilian national law.

Among the changes brought in by the Resolution are:

  • Laser welding is now allowed in the manufacture of side seams in metal packaging
  • Section 3 ‘Positive List of Raw Materials for Packaging and Metallic Equipment’ updated with editorial and technical changes. These include:
    • ‘Polymeric coatings’
    • ‘Sealings or sealants’
    • ‘Surface lubricants’
    • ‘Restrictions’
  • Emphasizes that overall (total) and specific migrations for coated materials are to be carried out on the finished goods
  • Allows specimens of metallic substrates that are manufactured using identical conditions as the finished product for overall and specific migration
  • Clarifies that the overall migration limits are those that are established in the technical regulation corresponding to the type of coating used
  • ‘Determination of the specific migration of metals in tinplating packaging’ replaced with ‘Determination of the specific migration of metals in packaging, lids, utensils and metallic equipment not covered by Clause 4.1’

Finally, there are also new requirements on the use of simulants and sample preparation. These include:

  • Use of 0.5% (w/v) citric acid as simulant for the specific migration of metals from uncoated metallic materials that are intended for acidic foods (pH no greater than 4.5)
  • Use of artificial water as simulant for the specific migration of metals from uncoated metallic materials that are intended for non-acidic, alcoholic and fatty foods (0.5% (w/v) citric acid may also be used but subject to results meeting limits, otherwise artificial water)
  • Details the procedure from EN 16889:2016 for the preparation of artificial water
  • Indicates uncoated materials to be evaluated under the actual conditions of use where applicable, otherwise the following conditions are to be used:
    • 40 °C, 10 days for storage at room temperature
    • 70 °C, 2 h followed by 40 °C, 24 h for hot-fill and short-term storage (less than 24 h) at room temperature.
    • 70 °C, 2 h followed by 40 °C, 10 days for hot-fill and long-term storage (more than 24 h) at room temperature.
    • Boiling temperature of simulant, 2 h for boiling conditions

Resolution No. 498 of May 20, 2021, came into force on June 1, 2021. Stakeholders have until November 27, 2021, to comply with its provisions.

SGS Food Contact Material Services

SGS’s technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles in contact with food. They can ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. SGS offers the full range of testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. Learn more about SGS’s Food Contact Material Services. 

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full Brazil Revises Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Articles SafeGuardS. 

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For further information contact:

Dr HingWo Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager

Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Alessandra Shimizu
Technical Manager
Tel: (+55) 11 3883-8880 Ext. 8785

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS 

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 89,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

CLP Regulation Amended in Europe

The European Union (EU) has revised Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 on Classification, Labeling and Packaging of Substances and Mixtures (CLP Regulation).

The changes brought in by the amendment, published in Regulation (EU) 2021/849 as an adaptation to technical and scientific progress (ATP) makes changes to Table 3, Part 3 in Annex XVI of the CLP Regulation – ‘List of Harmonized Classification and Labeling Hazardous Substances’.

These include:

  • Adding 22 new entries, including citric acid
  • Replacing 41 entries, including:
    • Specific concentration limit (SCL) for boric acid and diboron trioxide
    • Creating one group with a single SCL for:
      • Tetraboron disodium heptaoxide, hydrate
      • Disodium tetraborate, anhydrous
      • Orthoboric acid, sodium salt
      • Disodium tetraborate decahydrate
      • Disodium tetraborate pentahydrate
  • Deleting Index No. 015-192-0001 on tetrakis(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-m-phenylene biphosphate

The latest ATP will come into force on June 17, 2021. It will be applied from December 17, 2022. Stakeholders should be aware that substances and mixtures can be classified, labeled and packaged in accordance with this amendment from June 17, 2021.

SGS CLP Services

Throughout our global network of laboratories, we are able to provide a range of services, including analytical testing and consultancy for restricted substances, safety data sheets (SDSs), as well as chemical safety assessments (CSAs) for the EU and international markets. Our environmental product safety services can assist with aspect of the EU classification, labeling and packaging (CLP) regulation. Learn more about SGS’s CLP Services

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full EU Amends CLP Regulation on Substances and Mixtures SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr HingWo Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager

Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS 

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 89,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

EU Releases New Standard for Enhanced Visibility Clothing

The European Union (EU) has published a new standard for protective clothing designed to give the wearers enhanced visibility in medium risk situations.

The new standard – EN 17353:2020 – Protective clothing – Enhanced visibility equipment for medium risk situations – Test methods and requirements – replaces two standards:

  • EN 1150:1999 – Protective clothing – Visibility clothing for non-professional use – Test methods and requirements
  • EN 13356:2001 – Visibility accessories for non-professional use – Test methods and requirements

EN 17353:2020 contains elements from both standards.

The principal difference is that products within the scope of the standard are no longer considered from the aspect of use. Instead, the standard considers their suitability in terms of providing protection in medium risk situations.

Examples of medium risk situations include:

  • Working with slow-moving vehicles
  • Jogging/cycling on roads with lower traffic speeds

The standard applies to all visibility clothing and devices worn in these situations.

The standard includes:

  • Minimum amounts of materials required to enhance visibility
  • Design requirements for products based on foreseeable conditions of use, per product type:
    • Type A – where risk of not being seen only exists in daylight conditions; uses only fluorescent materials
    • Type B – where risk of not being seen only exist in dark conditions; uses only retroreflective materials:
        • Type B1 – free hanging retroreflective devices
        • Type B2 – retroreflective devices temporarily or permanently placed on limbs only
        • Type B3 – retroreflective material placed on torso or torso and limbs
    • Type AB – where risk of not being seen exists in daylight, twilight and dark conditions; uses fluorescent and retroreflective materials or combined performance materials

The standard does not apply to:

  • High visibility equipment in high-risk situations (covered in EN ISO 20471)
  • Visibility equipment specifically intended for the head, hands and feet
  • Equipment integrating active lighting, e.g., LEDs
  • Visibility for low-risk situations

Products covered under the scope of EN 17353:2020 are considered as Category II Personal Protective Equipment according to (EU) 2016/425 and therefore must carry the CE Mark. This requires an EU Notified Body to undertake CE compliance assessment.

SGS Softlines Services

SGS has a worldwide network of over 40 state-of-the-art laboratories, including 10 in China, specializing in testing of apparel, footwear, and home textiles. Their committed team is drawn from multi-disciplinary backgrounds, allowing them to carry out a comprehensive range of physical, chemical, and functional testing services for components, materials and finished products. SGS helps companies ensure quality, performance, and compliance with international, industrial, and regulatory standards worldwide. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Softlines Services.

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full EN 17353:2020 Released for Protective Clothing – Enhanced Visibility Equipment for Medium Risk Situations SafeGuardS.

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Louann Spirito

Consumer and Retail - Softlines

US & Canada Softlines Business Head

Tel: +1 973 461 7919

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/softlines

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 89,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.

Innovative Discovery Launches Web Series Afternoon Tea with ID

Arlington, VA, June 9, 2021 -- Innovative Discovery (ID), data experts serving law firms, corporations, and government agencies through the information lifecycle, is proud to announce the launch of a new web series, “Afternoon Tea with ID.” This series will feature ID clients and friends from all walks of life and different industry experience sharing an anecdote, life lesson, or piece of advice in five minutes or less.

“Afternoon Tea with ID”, hosted by Senior Director Amy Edwards, is intended to provide a brief “tea break” in viewer’s busy workdays and connect briefly with our peers – without the industry jargon or business speak.

“We are thrilled to have joyful conversations with the talented and esteemed people we often rub elbows with but often forget to slow down and really talk with,” said Kim Taylor, CEO of Innovative Discovery. “We are even more excited to be able to share these brief chats and lessons learned.”

A new episode will release on Innovative Discovery’s LinkedIn page every Thursday. Follow ID on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/innovative-discovery

You can catch all the episodes on ID’s website here: https://www.id-edd.com/afternoontea/

About Innovative Discovery:
Innovative Discovery partners with law firms, corporations, and government agencies to provide service, guidance, and consultation throughout the information lifecycle. Our team of experienced data experts work closely with clients to develop tailored workflows to manage data and mitigate risk effectively and efficiently. Should litigation arise, ID offers the tools, services, and know-how to help you win your case.

Vermont Regulates PFAS and Other Chemicals in Certain Goods

The US state of Vermont has approved new regulations covering the use of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other substances in certain consumer products.

S.20 – ‘An Act relating to restrictions on perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and other chemicals of concern in consumer products’ – was signed into law by the state governor on May 18, 2021. It not only regulates several chemicals in specific consumer goods but also amends the list of chemicals of high concern to children (CHCCs) for reporting in children’s products.

The Act, known as 18 V.S.A., amends the state’s statutes by adding several new chapters:

  • Chapter 33 ‘PFAS in Firefighting Agents and Equipment’
  • Chapter 33A ‘Chemicals of Concern in Food Packaging’ in relation to PFAS, (ortho) phthalates and bisphenols
  • Chapter 33B ‘PFAS in Rugs, Carpets and Aftermarket Stain and Water-Resistant Treatments’ 
  • Chapter 33C ‘PFAS in Ski Wax’

In addition, it amends the CHCC list with the addition of:

  • Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS)
  • Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)
  • Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)

The provisions of the Act will be implemented in phases, beginning on July 1, 2021. For more information on the provisions of the Act and its effective dates, see SGS’s original SafeGuard 072/21.

SGS Chemical Testing

SGS offers a comprehensive range of testing services to help manufacturers and suppliers ensure their products are safe and comply with national and international regulations concerning harmful chemicals. Learn more about SGS Chemical Testing Services

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full State of Vermont, USA, Regulates PFAS and Other Chemicals in Certain Goods SafeGuardS. 

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. HingWo Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager

Tel: (+852) 2774 7420

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: www.sgs.com/cgnr

LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS 

We are SGS – the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company. We are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. Our 89,000 employees operate a network of 2,600 offices and laboratories, working together to enable a better, safer and more interconnected world.