Uruguay Consults Over Proposed Revision to Food Contact Metals and Alloys

SafeGuardSHardgoods, HardgoodsAugust 01, 2022

SG 091.22

Uruguay has announced its intention to amend Mercosur Technical Regulation on food contact metals and alloys. Comments are accepted until August 8, 2022

In June 2022, Uruguay’s Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining (Ministerio de Industria, Energía y Minería, MIEM) announced draft Resolution No. 02/22 to amend GMC Resolution No. 46/06 ‘Mercosur Technical Regulation on provisions for metallic, linings, utensils, lids and equipment that come into contact with food’ (GMC Resolution 46/06, in Spanish or Portuguese).

Highlights of several important changes to GMC Resolution No. 46/06 in draft Resolution No. 02/22 are summarized in Table 1.

Uruguay Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining, June 9, 2022Draft Resolution No. 02/22: Modification of GMC Resolution No. 46/06 Mercosur Technical Regulation onprovisions for metal containers, coatings, utensils, lids and equipment in contact with food
Section to Annex of GMC Resolution No 46/06	Highlight of proposed change
3.1.1 ‘Stainless steels – positive list’	Adds 13 types of AISI/ASTM¹ designated stainless steels for the manufacture of metal containers and equipment Restricts the use of four types of AISI/ASTM designated stainless steels Revises the lists of stainless steels falling under the US Unified Numbering System (UNS) and EN² standards
3.1.3 ‘Technically pure aluminum and its alloys’	Provides specifications and restrictions for anodized and non-anodized aluminum and its alloys
3.1.12 ‘Impurities in metallic materials’	Deletes copper as one of the heavy metals in impurities: ≤ 1.0% for the sum of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, subject to ≤ 0.01% for each of arsenic, lead and mercury
¹American Iron and Steel Institute/American Society for Testing and Materials ²European Norm

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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