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Since July 3, 2021, there has been a ban on the placing on the market of a specific group of disposable plastic products. This ban stems from Directive (EU) 2019/904, also known as the Single Use Plastic Directive (SUP), which aims to reduce the effects of certain plastic products on the environment. The purpose of the directive is clear, but what about the alternatives?
The ban affects the following disposable food contact materials made (in part) of plastic:
All of these are disposable items that you frequently encounter at a party, office or the snack bar. Alternative materials are therefore needed. However, finding a suitable alternative is easier for some products than others. For example, plastic cutlery and stirrers are often replaced by wooden ones. And instead of plastic straws, only paper straws are still available at the supermarket.
There are also plenty of "green" options to replace full plastic disposable signs. These were already available, but have become more popular due to the SUP directive. The most common alternative materials are bagasse (sugar cane pulp), palm tree leaf or paper. These alternatives usually have a fairly standard or natural look.
For paper signs with a plastic coating, finding an alternative is more challenging. Removing the plastic coating can pose risks. This is because the coating functions as a barrier against the migration of (harmful) substances, including dyes from the paper, from the plate to the food. If without plastic coating the migration of substances is within the set limits (Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 and the Dutch Warenwet), the article can of course be traded in the Netherlands. However, this is easier said than done. Especially since plates not only come into contact with dry food, but also with greasy and moist food, which leads more quickly to (excessive) migration of substances.
This is precisely why we are working hard to develop natural coatings that demonstrably meet the requirements of the SUP directive. According to the SUP directive, a natural coating contains only natural ingredients and no chemical reaction has taken place during production.
Proving the natural ingredients is one thing, but demonstrating that the coating is free of chemical reactions is a trickier job. Fortunately, there are parties who can conduct such investigations, increasing the assurance of conformity according to the SUP guideline.
Would you like advice on the SUP directive or would you like to have your alternatives tested for applicable regulations? Précon Quality Services can help you with this. Please contact us at +31 30 65 66 010 or info@precongroup.com.
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