SG 44/24
The Southern Common Market has approved an amendment for food contact metals and alloys. Parties must incorporate the revisions into their national law before June 2, 2024.
In December 2023, the Southern Common Market (Mercado Común del Sur, Mercosur) issued Mercosur/GMC/Res. No 48/2023 to revise GMC Resolution No. 46/06 ‘Mercosur technical regulation on provisions for containers, coatings, utensils, covers and metal equipment that come into contact with food’ (GMC Resolution 46/06).
Mercosur/GMC/Res. No 48/2023 contains several important changes. It:
- Deletes copper as one of the heavy metals in impurities of metallic materials. The new specifications are
- ≤ 1% for the sum of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, subject to 1) ≤ 0.01% for each of cadmium, lead and mercury and 2) ≤ 0.03% for arsenic
- Revises the list of stainless steels and their specifications
- Provides specifications and restrictions for anodized and non-anodized aluminum and its alloys
- Adds new language indicating that the list of stainless steels in clause 3.1.1 includes those with their surface completely glazed, vitrified, enameled or protected with polymeric coatings
- Introduces new language and limitations for uncoated carbon steel
Parties to the Southern Common Market (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay) must transpose Mercosur/GMC/Res. No 48/2023 into their national law before June 2, 2024.
SGS technical experts have extensive knowledge and testing experience in materials and articles in contact with food. They work to ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials, paving the way for compliance. From overall migration tests to expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review, SGS is the partner to trust. Discover more on our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
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