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Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) published the final version (in Japanese) of the reorganized positive list (PL) on November 30, 2023. This final version will take effect on June 1, 2025.

Japan’s Positive List (PL) of synthetic resins for food utensils, containers, and packaging (UCP) is expected to be fully implemented from June 1, 2025. The public was invited to submit comments in Japanese on the latest draft revisions to the positive list between August 4 and September 3, 2023. The Food Sanitation Subcommittee of the Pharmaceutical Affairs and Food Sanitation Council organized under Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) currently are reviewing the comments that were received.

New draft Tables 1 and 2 of the Japanese Positive List have been posted on Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) website.

Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has proposed a reorganization of the Positive Lists (PL) for synthetic resins for food utensils, containers, and packaging (UCP). 

By way of background, on April 28, 2020, MHLW published Notification No. 196 of 2020, which required approval of substances used in “synthetic resins” for food-contact articles. The Notification was accompanied by a PL of substances that could be used to produce food-contact utensils, containers, and packaging (UCP). The current structure of the lists of permitted substances is shown below.

How Are Colorants for Food Packaging Regulated in Japan?

I understand that the Japan MHLW Notification No. 196 includes a positive list of substances used in synthetic resins used in food contact...

Keller and Heckman attorneys and scientists will be among the speakers at the 5th International Conference on Food Contact Compliance in Baveno, Italy, September 25-27. They will be presenting on the following topics:

Partner Jeff Keithline and associate Rachel Bond will present "Food Contact Requirements in Asia and Latin America" at Product Stewardship 2018 on September 27, in Washington, DC. The conference, to be held September 27-29, brings professionals from over a dozen different industry sectors to discuss global emerging issues, case studies, practical experiences, and new developments.

Keller and Heckman Partner David Ettinger will be giving the keynote presentation at Chemical Watch’s 2nd Annual Food Contact Regulations Asia Conference. David’s presentation, “Overview of Global Food Contact Materials (FCM’s) Regulations: What’s Happening and Future Trends,” will kick off this one-day focused event, designed to get attendees completely up-to-date with the complex and changing landscape of food contact regulations throughout Asia.

Keller and Heckman Partner Hazel O’Keeffe will be one of the presenters at Chem Academy’s Food Contact Materials Regulations Conference, to be held January 27-28, 2020, in Berlin, Germany. The title of her presentation is, “Japanese Legislation: Similarities and Differences to EU Legislation.”

For more information on the conference, including how to register, please click here.

Keller and Heckman Associate Eric Gu will give a presentation on “Japan’s new Positive List system and criteria on recycled materials for food packaging” at the Recycled Packaging for Food Contact ASIA webinar. Other presenters during this virtual seminar will discuss the current governing rules on the use of recycled content and standards for food-grade applications in China and other key Asian countries.