Switzerland Reach Regulation For Various Sectors

Authorities

Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office and Federal Office of Public Health are the official bodies working for this sector. Since the publication of the Ordinance on Trade of Foodstuffs and Commodities in 1936, food contact materials have only been specifically controlled. This original law reflects the safety issues at the time, including the pollution of heavy metals from metallic and enamel utensils. A more contemporary approach was taken when this law was revised in 1964 and new materials like plastic, varnishes, coatings, and waxes were regulated. Then, a positive list and migration maxima were used to control the acceptability of plastic beginning materials

Framework Regulations

Food Contact Materials fall under the Utility articles i.e. the consumer articles that intend to come in contact with the food particles and/or intend to transfer their constituents into the foodstuff.

Regulations state: -

1. Only safe utility articles to be placed and used.
2. A utility article i.e. a FCM is deemed safe if it does not change the organoleptic properties of the food present inside and presents no danger or minimal danger when used in normal conditions.
3. So, to make sure that the articles being used are safe the following variables are to kept in check: -
   1. Properties, composition of the article
   2. Maintenance (if requires)
   3. Labelling i.e. for warning notices
4. A description is supposed to be provided along with the designation.
5. Stipulate requirements for foodstuffs, consumer articles and cosmetics.
6. Issue labelling for the services where the consumer is liable to deception.
7. Recommend Good Manufacturing Practices for articles

Specific Measures

Plastics

The section on plastic materials and items is divided into a text with general requirements and an annex with lists of approved monomers and additives and restrictions on the use of particular compounds. Only the monomers and other starting materials stated on the monomer list may be used to create plastic materials and items that are subject to the specified constraint; this list is a positive list.

Regenerated Cellulose

This section details the lead and cadmium migration limits that may both be released from ceramic, glass, and enamel products. Migration values are drawn from Directive 2005/31/EC, which revised Council Directive 84/500/EEC.

Metal and Alloys

These substances are used in food contact materials as containers, equipment. These are often covered by a coating in order to prevent migration into the food particles. These Specific regulations regulate: -

• Copper Articles
• Aluminium Articles
• Prohibit the use of lead, cadmium, zinc and their alloys.
• Requirements on metallic coatings.

Materials and articles in paper and board

The condensed section on paper and boards stipulates, among other things, that materials and items made of paper and board are produced of a quality that prevents them from sticking to food. The use of recycled paper as FCMs is restricted to specific foods or requires a FOPH authorization.

Active and Intelligent materials

Recently, a new section comprising dynamic and intelligent content and resources was added based on the stipulations of Articles 2 and 4 of the Materials and Articles Ordinance European Union’s Directive 1935/2004 in the absence of new regulations, compounds intentionally only be utilised if they adhere to the food safety regulations when mixed into active ingredients and goods. Active materials and items must have clear labels that indicate they are active

Paraffin and Waxes

Regulations state that these articles need to be free from carcinogenic substances and need to follow the basic framework regulations stated.

Silicone Materials

The Council of Europe ResAP (2004) 5 on silicones to be used for food contact applications is the foundation for this regulation. According to the requirements for testing plastic materials, the compliance with migration limitations should be verified. Additionally, when heated for 4 hours at 200 degrees, the silicone elastomers should not release more than 0.5% of volatile components.