Contact

What are you looking for?

South Korea Consults Over Proposed Amendment to Food Contact Material Standards

SafeGuardSHardgoodsMarch 19, 2024

SG 50/24

South Korea has initiated a consultation over its proposed revision to the nation’s standards and specifications for food contact materials and articles. 

In South Korea, food contact materials and articles are regulated by the Food Sanitation Act (the Act). Chapter 3 of the Act prohibits the presence or use of toxic/harmful chemicals in food contact utensils, containers and packages that could endanger human health. It also directs the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) to establish standards and specifications for these products.

In February 2024, South Korea’s MFDS issued Notice No. 2024-97 to announce its intention to revise ‘Standards and Specifications for Utensils, Containers and Packages’ (MFDS Notification No. 2022-97, December 29, 2022, the Standard, in Korean) by improving and supplementing some of the deficiencies. The administrative notice contains several changes to the Standard:

  • Details the improved printing standards for food contact surfaces of food utensils
  • Clarifies that the requirement of less than 0.1% lead used in the manufacture or repairing food contact parts of utensils, containers and packaging includes solder (Section II, clause 1.7 ‘Common manufacturing standards’)
  • Improves the analytical method for arsenic
  • Clarifies that if the material and color of the main body and accessories are identical, testing is to be conducted on the main body
  • Brings several editorial changes for clarity

According to Notice No. 2024-97, the provisions will enter into force on the date of its announcement.

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.

© SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. This publication or website is a property of SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. All contents including website designs, text, and graphics contained herein are owned by or licensed to SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA. The information provided is for technical and general information purposes only and offers no legal advice. The information is no substitute for professional legal advice to ensure compliance with the applicable laws and regulations. All information is provided in good faith “as is”, and SGS Société Générale de Surveillance SA makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, and does not warrant that the information will be error-free or meet any particular criteria of performance or quality.

For further information, please contact:

HingWo Tsang

Dr. HingWo Tsang

Global Information and Innovation Manager
SaeungJae Lee

SeungJae Lee

Section Chief

Stay on top of regulatory changes within your industry

Digital cart concept

Related Links

News & Insights

  • SGS SafeGuardS

1 Place des Alpes,

P.O. Box 2152,

1211, Geneva, Switzerland