A designated laboratory is one formally recognized by a national authority as competent to test products, such as food contact materials, against that market's specific standards or regulations.
Food contact materials and articles (FCMs) destined for certain markets must be tested by designated (approved) laboratories and/or certified by recognized certification bodies before they can access those markets. These procedures give formal recognition to independent, impartial verification of compliance with a standard or regulation, allowing economic operators to access highly controlled but important markets.
Across Asia Pacific, the requirements vary by jurisdiction. Japan requires foreign laboratories to be designated under the Japan Food Sanitation Act for formal acceptance by its quarantine stations. China requires FCM to be tested by laboratories accredited by the China National Accreditation Service (CNAS) and China Metrology Accreditation (CMA), while South Korea requires laboratory approval by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. In the Americas, food contact glass and ceramics destined for Colombia and Mexico require certification before release to market. Similarly, certification is required for melamine dinnerware and vacuum Thermos flasks entering Kuwait, and for FCM entering the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
We help you identify and meet the designated laboratory testing and certification requirements that apply to your products, market by market.
Where designated testing or certification is required
Requirements for FCM differ by jurisdiction, by product category and by the specific standard in force. Our framework below summarizes the laws, standards and scope of designated testing or certification obligations across the regions where these requirements apply most.
| Region | Jurisdiction | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | China | Regulated under the China Food Safety Law (April 2015) and GB 4806, "General Safety Requirements on Food Contact Materials and Articles", together with a corresponding series of mandatory product and method standards. Scope: food contact materials and articles. |
| Japan | Regulated under Act No. 233 of 24 December 1947, the Japan Food Sanitation Act, Chapter III, "Apparatus, Containers and Packaging". Scope: food contact materials and articles. | |
| South Korea | Regulated under the Food Sanitation Act and the Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers and Packaging for Food Products (Chapter 7 of the Korean Food Code). Scope: food contact materials and articles. | |
| Taiwan | Regulated under the Act Governing Food Sanitation, and the Export and Import of Goods Act, B.E. 2522 (1979), for ceramics and metal-coated tableware. | |
| Thailand | Regulated under the Food Act, B.E. 2522 (1979), the Export and Import of Goods Act, B.E. 2522 (1979) for ceramics and metal-coated tableware, and Thai Industrial Standards (TIS) covering mandatory and voluntary standards for specific materials or products. Scope: food contact materials and articles. | |
| Vietnam | Regulated under the Food Safety Law (No. 55/2010/QH12) and four national technical regulations covering plastics (QCVN 12-1:2011/BYT), rubber (QCVN 12-2:2011/BYT), metals (QCVN 12-3:2011/BYT) and glass, ceramics, porcelain and enamel (QCVN 12-4:2015/BYT). Scope: food contact materials and articles. | |
| South Asia | India | Regulated under the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018, for food contact materials and articles; the Portable Water Bottles (Quality Control) Order, 2023, for copper, stainless steel and aluminum portable water bottles; and the Cookware and Utensils and Cans for Foods and Beverages (Quality Control) Order, 2026, covering IS 1660 for wrought and cast aluminum utensils and IS 14407 for aluminum beverage cans. |
| Middle East | Kuwait | Regulated under the Kuwait Conformity Assurance Scheme Guidelines QW-750-21. Scope: melamine dinnerware and vacuum Thermos flasks, including cups. |
| Qatar | Regulated under QS GSO 2231, general requirements for materials intended to come into contact with food and melamine tableware products; QS 142, melamine tableware products; and QS GSO 1863 and QS GSO 2790, food and drink packages and cups made from plastic, paper and foam. | |
| Saudi Arabia | Regulated under SASO 04-06-19-171, the Technical Regulation for Food Safety of Tools and Appliances Used in the Kitchen, covering tableware and serving utensils, cooking and preparation tools, surfaces and stationary kitchen equipment in food contact, and disposable items and packaging for kitchen use; and SASO GSO 2231, general requirements for materials intended to come into contact with food. Scope: food contact materials and articles. | |
| United Arab Emirates | Regulated under Cabinet Resolution No. 20 of 2015, the UAE Scheme to Control Food Contact Materials, and Ministerial Resolution No. (105)/2022 on regulating the trade of water packaged in recycled plastic bottles (rPET). Scope: food contact materials and articles. | |
| Americas | Colombia | Regulated under Resolution No. 1440/2021. Scope: ceramics and glass. |
| Mexico | Regulated under NOM-231-SSA1-2016. Scope: glazed pottery, glazed ceramics, porcelain and glassware. |
Why SGS?
As the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, we track designated laboratory and certification requirements as they evolve across these markets, so you can plan testing and certification with confidence rather than uncertainty.
We combine a global network of accredited facilities with local regulatory expertise, giving you a single point of support for designated testing and certification across multiple jurisdictions and product categories.
FAQs
Designated laboratory testing confirms a product meets a standard through recognized testing. Certification is a separate process in which an approved certification body formally confirms that a product complies with the relevant standard or regulation, and is often a condition of market entry.
No. Requirements vary by product type and jurisdiction. For example, Colombia and Mexico apply specific rules to ceramics and glass, Kuwait and Qatar single out melamine products, and several Asia Pacific markets apply broader requirements across most food contact material categories. Contact us to confirm the requirements that apply to your products and target markets.
C/O Horizon Djibouti Terminals Limited (HDTL),
Doraleh Oil Terminal, P.O. Box: 72,
Djibouti