Regenerated cellulose film wrappers in contact with food

SUMMARY OF:

Directive 2007/42/EC on materials and articles made of regenerated cellulose film that come into contact with food

SUMMARY

WHAT DOES THIS DIRECTIVE DO?

• It is a specific directive provided for by Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 concerning materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.
• It defines regenerated cellulose film*.
• It lays down a list of substances authorised in the manufacture of regenerated cellulose film, as well as quantities not to be exceeded so as to protect consumers’ health.

KEY POINTS

Scope

The directive applies to regenerated cellulose film — either in the form of a finished product in itself or part of a finished product containing other materials — which is intended to come into contact or placed in contact with food.

It covers the following categories:

• 1.

  uncoated regenerated cellulose film;

• 2.

  coated regenerated cellulose film with coating derived from cellulose; or

• 3.

  coated regenerated cellulose film with coating consisting of plastics.

It does not apply to synthetic casings of regenerated cellulose.

List of authorised substances

• The directive’s Annex II lays down a list of substances authorised in the manufacture of regenerated cellulose film, along with restrictions of use.
• Regenerated cellulose films which are uncoated or coated with plastics may be manufactured with substances other than those specified in Annex II if they are used as colouring matter or as adhesives, provided that there is no trace of migration of the substances into or on to food.
• Regenerated cellulose films which are coated with plastics must comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs.
• Printed surfaces of regenerated cellulose film must not come into contact with the foodstuffs.

Marketing and labelling

At the marketing stage, materials and articles made of regenerated cellulose film — which are intended to come into contact with foodstuffs — must be accompanied by a written declaration, in line with Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004. However, where such materials or articles are, by their nature, clearly intended to come into contact with foodstuffs, they are not subject to this obligation.

Where special conditions of use are indicated, the material or article made of regenerated cellulose film must be labelled accordingly.

FROM WHEN DOES THE DIRECTIVE APPLY?

It entered into force on 20 July 2007.

BACKGROUND

• Food Contact Materials — EU legislation
• European Union Reference Laboratories (EURL) — Food Contact Materials

KEY TERM

* Regenerated cellulose film: a thin sheet material obtained from a refined cellulose derived from unrecycled wood or cotton. Regenerated cellulose film may be coated on one or both sides.

ACT

Commission Directive 2007/42/EC of 29 June 2007 relating to materials and articles made of regenerated cellulose film intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (OJ L 172, 30.6.2007, pp. 71-82)

RELATED ACTS

Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and repealing Directives 80/590/EEC and 89/109/EEC (OJ L 338, 13.11.2004, pp. 4-17). The successive amendments and corrections to Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is for reference only.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 of 14 January 2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food (OJ L 12, 15.1.2011, pp. 1-89). See consolidated version.

last update 02.12.2015