11.11.16
The European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA) is announcing the availability of its new Good Manufacturing Practice Version 4.0 to further assist in controlling food safety hazards.
This latest edition of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) has been fully updated and expanded to cover the manufacture of all varnishes and coatings as well as inks designed to be printed on to Food Contact Materials (FCM), including all non-food contact and food contact surfaces of packaging and containers.
Inks, coatings and varnishes developed and manufactured in compliance with this GMP will support manufacturers of food contact materials in supplying products that are fully compliant to all applicable European legislation for materials and articles intended to come in to contact with food. This European legislation includes the Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and the GMP Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006. The updated GMP also references the Plastics Regulation (EC) No 10/2011, European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) opinions as well as national regulations such as the Swiss Ordinance on printing inks for food packaging.
The latest version of the GMP is likely to require significant change and process improvements in several areas, therefore organisations should allocate sufficient time and resource to understand, define and introduce any changes required, which may take several months to achieve full implementation.
Commenting on the publication of the latest version of the GMP, Martin Kanert, Executive Manager at EuPIA says, “The last version of the GMP was published back in 2009, and since that time, there have been a number of significant developments that needed to be addressed and incorporated into the new Guide, not least the inclusion of food contact coatings and varnishes. This completely updated and more detailed 47 page Good Manufacturing Practice guide now provides a comprehensive reference document which clearly outlines all steps required to ensure compliance in relation to food packaging and safeguard against potential hazards.
This latest edition of the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) has been fully updated and expanded to cover the manufacture of all varnishes and coatings as well as inks designed to be printed on to Food Contact Materials (FCM), including all non-food contact and food contact surfaces of packaging and containers.
Inks, coatings and varnishes developed and manufactured in compliance with this GMP will support manufacturers of food contact materials in supplying products that are fully compliant to all applicable European legislation for materials and articles intended to come in to contact with food. This European legislation includes the Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and the GMP Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006. The updated GMP also references the Plastics Regulation (EC) No 10/2011, European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) opinions as well as national regulations such as the Swiss Ordinance on printing inks for food packaging.
The latest version of the GMP is likely to require significant change and process improvements in several areas, therefore organisations should allocate sufficient time and resource to understand, define and introduce any changes required, which may take several months to achieve full implementation.
Commenting on the publication of the latest version of the GMP, Martin Kanert, Executive Manager at EuPIA says, “The last version of the GMP was published back in 2009, and since that time, there have been a number of significant developments that needed to be addressed and incorporated into the new Guide, not least the inclusion of food contact coatings and varnishes. This completely updated and more detailed 47 page Good Manufacturing Practice guide now provides a comprehensive reference document which clearly outlines all steps required to ensure compliance in relation to food packaging and safeguard against potential hazards.
