Open for comments on amendments to the EU Food Contact Materials Regulation

At the end of September 2022, the Stockholm Convention's Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) Review Committee (POPRC) held its 18th annual meeting, at which the substance UV-328 (CAS 25973-55-1) was proposed to be listed in Annex A with the aim of eliminating its production and use
globally.
It was also recommended that exemptions be set for uses such as motor vehicles, industrial machinery and medical equipment to allow the chemical to be phased out
.

In addition, more than 180 signatories to the Stockholm Convention will meet in May 2023 to review the recommendations of the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee and finalize the list
.

In January 2021, the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POPRC) determined that UV-328 meets the screening requirements
for persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
UV-328 is used as an ultraviolet absorber in a variety of plastic materials and coatings, including food contact applications
.
However, experiments have shown that this chemical can cause damage to the liver and kidneys of mammals and has endocrine disrupting effects
.

In 2014, the EU listed UV-328 as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC), and in 2019 it was included in the EU's EU REACH Authorization List
.
UV-328 is special in that it is the first substance
to be included in the Convention without any halogens (fluorine, chlorine or bromine).

At present, UV-328 still authorizes some uses in China's food contact materials and the US food contact material regulations, and the EU food contact material regulations eliminate the substance
.
The specific allowable usage usage is organized in the following table:

Table 1 UV-328 is authorized for use in China, Europe and the United States Food Contact Material Regulations

Ruio reminded relevant manufacturers that since UV-328 has been listed in the EU REACH authorization list and will be listed in Annex A of the Stockholm Convention, it means that the global use of the substance will be restricted in the future, and enterprises should take countermeasures
as soon as possible.