EDQM publishes second edition of the technical guide “Metals and alloys used in food contact materials and articles”

Vol. 1421 | 05 Sep 2024

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) of the Council of Europe has published the second edition of the technical guide “Metals and alloys used in food contact materials and articles”.

The guide is intended for regulators and business operators and designed to enhance the harmonisation of technical standards, with the aim of improving consumer health protection across Europe.

The guide aims to ensure the safety and suitable quality of food contact materials and articles made from metals and alloys and is the result of a comprehensive review by the European Committee for Food contact materials and articles.

This second edition dated August 2024 of this guide (attached in both FR and EN versions) replaces the previous 2013 version.  It reflects scientific opinions, relevant research from national risk assessment bodies and a concerted consultation of stakeholders.

There are a few updates to the technical content and test methods.  These include:

• Modified safety data concerning specific release limits (SRLs) for chromium, manganese, thallium
• A new section on zirconium
• General recommendations for release testing.
• Updated methods for the measurement of certain articles

Despite not being a mandatory requirement, this guide is expected to be widely adopted by industry as a means of demonstrating compliance with the basic requirements of EC 1935/2004 for articles made from metals and alloys. It will assist regulators and business operators in applying harmonized technical standards across Europe.

If you have any questions, please contact our technical expert Rob Burton (rob.burton@intertek.com).