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On March 12, 2024, China's National Health Commission (NHC) published a batch of new Food Safety National Standards, including the GB 4806.15-2024 for adhesives used in food-contact materials and articles (“Adhesives Standard”). The authority spent almost 10 years to develop this new standard since it was included in the 2014 Plan for Food Safety National Standards. The Adhesives Standard will become effective on February 8, 2025.

On October 25, 2021, China’s National Health Commission (NHC) published a number of draft GB standards for food and food-related products, including a few key standards for food contact materials of plastics, rubber and adhesives, which are summarized below.

On May 20, 2019, China's National Health Commission (NHC) published the long-awaited draft of Food Safety National Standard Adhesives for Use in Food-Contact Materials and Articles (draft Adhesives Standard) for public comments. The draft Adhesives Standard applies to adhesives used in food-contact applications and proposes the following definition for "Adhesives Used in Food-Contact Materials and Articles":

"Materials that create adhesion by physical or chemical mode in food-contact materials and articles, directly or indirectly in contact with food." 

The Association of the European Adhesive & Sealant Industry (FEICA) has published a Guidance Paper on Migration testing of adhesives intended for food contact materials, as part of a package on migration testing of non-plastic, food-contact materials. It outlines specific steps for the evaluation of adhesives when used as components of food-contact materials.

Can Substances Cleared in Section 175.300 Be Cross-Referenced into Other Regulations?

I understand that substances permitted for use in coatings, according to 21 C.F.R. Part 175.300, are also permitted to be used in adhesives (175...

How are Adhesives That are Separated from Food By a Functional Barrier Regulated?

Do all the components of an adhesive for food packaging (cardboard boxes) have to be in the list of cleared substances found in 21 C.F.R. 175.105...

What Temperature Limits Apply to Adhesives?

In reading 21 CFR §175.105, there is no mention of temperature limit. Does this mean products compliant with 175.105 can be used at any...

Is a Substance Cleared in Section 175.300 Permitted for use in Adhesives Complying with Section 175.105?

If a substance is listed for food contact application in 21 CFR 175.300 and not listed in 175.105, may it still be used in adhesives by reference...