Certain markets, including China, Japan and South Korea, require conformity assessment procedures for food contact materials to be carried out by approved laboratories before products can be formally accepted. This requirement adds a layer of independent verification beyond general compliance testing.
The rules governing food contact materials (FCMs) in the Asia-Pacific region are jurisdiction dependent. As part of the general safety requirements that apply across the region, the quantity of substances transferred from FCM and articles to food must not endanger human health or bring about unacceptable changes to food's composition, such as taste and odor. Requirements across the region are highly complex and diverse: countries such as China, Japan and South Korea require conformity assessment procedures to be carried out by approved laboratories for formal acceptance.
We help you navigate this complex regulatory landscape, providing testing and conformity assessment aligned to the specific laws and standards that apply in each Asia-Pacific market.
Ensure your food contact materials comply across Asia-Pacific markets
We enable you to:
- Meet general safety requirementsConfirm that substances transferred from your FCMs to food do not endanger health or unacceptably change food's composition.
- Navigate diverse regulationsAccess support across the distinct laws and standards that apply market by market.
- Achieve approved laboratory testingMeet conformity assessment requirements in markets where testing must be carried out by approved laboratories.
- Reduce market access riskObtain testing and assessment aligned to jurisdiction-specific requirements before your products reach the market.
- Cover a wide range of marketsRely on support spanning Oceania, East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and beyond.
| Country | Key Laws and Standards |
|---|---|
| Australia | Australia and New Zealand Food Standards Code, Standard 3.2.2; Regulation 4E on the importation of glazed ceramicware; AS 4371 Ceramic Tableware |
| Azerbaijan | Decision of the Board of the Food Safety Agency No. 56/2025, Sanitary Norms and Rules for Materials and Articles in Contact with Food |
| Bangladesh | Food Contact Material Regulation, 2019 |
| China | Presidential Decree No. 21, Food Safety Law of the People's Republic of China; GB 4806.1, General Safety Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Articles, and corresponding mandatory (GB) product and test method standards |
| India | The Food Safety and Standards Act of 2006; Food Safety and Standards (Packaging) Regulations, 2018; Cookware Utensils and Cans for Foods and Beverages Quality Control Order, 2025 |
| Indonesia | Food Law 18/2012; Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) Regulation No. 11 of 2026 on Food Packaging |
| Japan | Act No. 233 of December 24, 1947, Japan Food Sanitation Act, Chapter III, Utensils, Containers and Packaging; Ministry of Health and Welfare Notification No. 370 (1959); Positive list for synthetic resins |
| Malaysia | Food Act 1983; Food Regulations of 1985 (P.U. (A) 437/1985), Part VI, Packages for Food |
| Pakistan | Notification 71/2018, Punjab Food Authority (Food Packaging/Contact Material) Regulations, 2018 |
| Philippines | Republic Act No. 10611, Food Safety Act of 2013 |
| Singapore | Food Safety and Security Bill, No. 49-2024 |
| South Korea | Food Sanitation Act; Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers and Packaging for Food Products, Chapter 7 of the Korean Food Code |
| Sri Lanka | Food (Packaging Materials and Articles) Regulations 2010 |
| Taiwan | Act Governing Food Sanitation; Sanitary Standard for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages |
| Thailand | Food Act, B.E. 2522 (1979); Ministry of Public Health Notifications No. 92 (1985) and No. 435 (2022); Ministry of Commerce requirements for ceramic and metal-coated tableware; Thai Industrial Standards (TIS) |
| Türkiye | Turkish Food Codex Regulation on Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Food (No. 30382, 2018); Codex Communiqués on plastics, ceramics, regenerated cellulose films and certain epoxy derivatives |
| Vietnam | Food Safety Law (No. 55/2010/QH12); Technical Regulations QCVN 12-1:2011/BYT (synthetic resins), QCVN 12-2:2011/BYT (rubber), QCVN 12-3:2011/BYT (metals) and QCVN 12-4:2015/BYT (glass, ceramics, porcelain and enamels) |
Why SGS?
As the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company, we bring deep regulatory knowledge of food contact material requirements across the Asia-Pacific region, including markets where testing must be performed by an approved laboratory. Our specialists track evolving national standards, helping you plan compliance activity with confidence rather than uncertainty.
We combine this regulatory expertise with a global network of accredited facilities, giving you a single point of support across multiple Asia-Pacific jurisdictions.
FAQs
Across the region, a common safety principle applies: the quantity of substances transferred from FCMs and articles to food must not endanger human health or bring about unacceptable changes to the food's composition, such as taste or odor.