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Thailand Mandates Two Standards for Microwavable Food Contact Plastic Containers

SafeGuardSHardgoodsJune 08, 2022

SG 071.22

Thailand has mandated two standards for certain food contact plastic materials and articles for use in microwave ovens. These will become effective on January 3, 2023. 

In April 2022, Thailand’s Ministry of Industry issued a Ministerial Regulation in the Government Gazette (Volume 134, Chapter 21A, Page 15, the Ministerial Regulation) to mandate two standards for several plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food for microwave applications.

These standards are:

  • TIS 2493 Part 1-2554 (2011) ‘Plastic food containers for microwave Part 1 for reheating.’. This standard specifies the requirements for polypropylene (PP), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) , poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(methyl pentene) (PMP), including marking, labeling, packaging and conformity
  • TIS 2493 Part 2-2556 (2013) ‘Plastic food containers for microwave Part 2 for single reheating.’. This standard provides the requirements for PP, PET and polystyrene (PS), including temperature resistance, marking, labeling, packaging and conformity.

Highlights of the requirements for the migration of substances and heavy metals in TIS-2493-1-2554 (2011) ‘Plastic food containers for microwave oven Part 1 for reheating’ are summarized in Tables 1 and 2.

TIS-2493-1-2554 (2011) ‘Plastic food containers for microwave ovens Part 1 for reheating’
Table 1 ‘Migration of Substances (per standard text), Clause 4.3.3

EntryTest ParameterSimulant
Migration Limit (mg/dm³)
Test Method
Type of plastic
PPPETPMMAPMPTIS 656
1
Potassium permanganate consumption
Distilled water
10
101010
2Evaporation residue
4% acetic acid
30303030
Distilled water
30303030
20% ethanol
30303030
n-heptane
30
303030
3Heavy metal (as lead)
4% acetic acid
1111
4Antimony
-0.05--
5Germanium-0.1--
6Methyl methacrylate
20% ethanol--15-Clause 8.10

Table 1

TIS-2493-1-2554 (2011) ‘Plastic food containers for microwave ovens Part 1 for reheating’
Table 2 ‘Heavy Metals’ (per standard text), Clause 4.3.4

EntryTest ParameterLimit (mg/kg)
PPPETPMMAPMP
1
Lead100
100100100
2Cadmium100100100100

Table 2

These two standards will become mandatory on January 3, 2023 (270 days from their publication in the Government Gazette).

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. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Discover more on our website

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Dr. Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
t: (+852) 2774 7420

Rutchuporn Moungsom
Hardlines/Toys Laboratory Manager
t: +66 2 481 5259

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