Vietnam Approves Technical Regulation on Glass, Ceramic and Enameled Food Contact Articles and Packaging

Vol. 878 | 18 Dec 2015

The Ministry of Health of Vietnam has published Circular No. 35/2015/TT-BYT mandating Technical Regulation QCVN 12-4:2015/BYT for domestic and imported food contact articles and packaging made of glass, ceramic (including porcelain), glass-ceramic and enamel. The circular will be effective from 1 May 2016. On the same day, the provisions for heavy metals limits in ceramic ware and glassware in Decision No. 46/2007/QD-BYT shall be repealed. Below are the highlights of the technical regulation:

1. Leachable cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) requirements:
   1. Glassware
      

      Product type	Function	Capacity	Test item	Limit
      Flatware	Heating and cooking	-	Cd	≤ 0.07 mg/dm2
      			Pb	≤ 0.8 mg/dm2
      Hollowware	Food container	< 600 mL	Cd	≤ 0.5 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 1.5 mg/L
      		600 mL ≤ Capacity < 3000 mL	Cd	≤ 0.25 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.75 mg/L
      		≥ 3000 mL	Cd	≤ 0.25 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.5 mg/L
      	Heating and cooking	-	Cd	≤ 0.05 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.5 mg/L
      Cup	-	-	Cd	≤ 0.25 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.5 mg/L

   2. Ceramic (including porcelain) and glass-ceramic ware
      

      Product type	Function	Capacity	Test item	Limit
      Flatware	Heating and cooking	-	Cd	≤ 0.07 mg/dm2
      			Pb	≤ 0.8 mg/dm2
      Hollowware	Food container	< 1100 mL	Cd	≤ 0.5 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 2.0 mg/L
      		1100 mL ≤ Capacity < 3000 mL	Cd	≤ 0.25 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 1.0 mg/L
      		≥ 3000 mL	Cd	≤ 0.25 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.5 mg/L
      	Heating and cooking	-	Cd	≤ 0.05 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.5 mg/L
      Cup	-	-	Cd	≤ 0.25 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.5 mg/L

   3. Enamelware (including cups)
      

      Product type	Function	Capacity	Test item	Limit
      Flatware	Food container	-	Cd	≤ 0.07 mg/dm2
      			Pb	≤ 0.8 mg/dm2
      	Heating and cooking	-	Cd	≤ 0.05 mg/dm2
      			Pb	≤ 0.1 mg/dm2
      Hollowware	Food container	< 3000 mL	Cd	≤ 0.07 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.8 mg/L
      		≥ 3000 mL	Cd	≤ 0.05 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.1 mg/L
      	Heating and cooking	< 3000 mL	Cd	≤ 0.07 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.4 mg/L
      		≥ 3000 mL	Cd	≤ 0.05 mg/L
      			Pb	≤ 0.1 mg/L

   4. Rims of beverage packaging and enamelware
      The leachable cadmium and lead shall be less than 0.2 mg / rim and 2.0 mg / rim respectively.
2. Labelling requirements
   Glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic and enameled food contact articles shall be labelled in accordance with Decree No. 89/2006/ND-CP on labelling of goods and other provisions of relevant laws.

For more information, please contact:

John Wong
Email: john.wong@intertek.com