PACKAGING

FSIS Proposes to Eliminate Dual Declaration Labelling Requirement for Certain Packages

18 April 2019

In response to a petition regarding certain labelling regulations for packages of meat or poultry products, the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service is proposing to amend its regulations to remove provisions that require labelling the net weight or net contents in two different units of measurement on the product label. More

hktdc research

New York Will Soon Become Third U.S. State to Ban Single-Use Plastic Bags

09 April 2019

New York has committed to banning single-use plastic bags effective from March 2020. The ban is expected to be passed as part of the state’s 2020 budget deal that was agreed by the legislature and the government on 31 March. More

hktdc research

Maryland May Become First U.S. State to Ban Polystyrene Food Containers

25 March 2019

Maryland is poised to become the first U.S. state to ban expanded polystyrene foam food containers. A bill recently passed the Democratic-majority Maryland House of Delegates and the Maryland State Senate to prohibit selling or providing polystyrene food service products, as well as food or beverages served in such products. More

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Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair

11 March 2019

The 14th edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair 2019 provides exhibitors with a marketing platform to showcase their products to global buyers. More

hktdc research

Public Consultation Launched, Seeking Feedback, with a View to Evaluating EU Law on Food Contact Materials

05 March 2019

The Commission’s notice initiating the consultation notes that food contact materials (FCMs) are all materials that come into contact with food, including packaging, kitchenware and tableware, and the materials used in professional food manufacturing, preparation, storage and distribution. FCMs may also include articles which may foreseeably come into contact with food. More

hktdc research

Environmental Health Group Expects Continued Action by U.S. States to Address Toxic Chemicals

14 February 2019

Safer States, a network of diverse consumer organisations and coalitions with shared environmental and health concerns, recently issued a press release highlighting on-going legislative efforts at the U.S. state level to prohibit or regulate more strictly the sale and distribution of products containing hazardous chemicals. More

hktdc research

Argentina Implements New Technical Requirements for Food-Contact Cellulosic Materials and Containers

24 January 2019

Argentina has incorporated into its domestic legal regime (1) Mercosur Common Market Group Resolution 40/15 on cellulosic materials, containers and equipment intended to be in contact with food and (2) Mercosur Common Market Group Resolution 41/15 on cellulosic materials for cooking and hot filtration. More

hktdc research

EU Agency Starts Enforcement Programme on REACH Compliance

22 January 2019

Earlier in January 2019, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and national customs officials started an EU-wide enforcement programme to check if importers and manufacturers comply with registration obligations under REACH. More

hktdc research

EU Lawmakers Reach an Agreement over New Directive on Single-use Plastics

08 January 2019

Single-use plastic products are defined as those made wholly - or partly - of plastic and those which are typically intended to be used just once - or for a short period of time - before they are thrown away. More

hktdc research

EU Opens New Quotas, Reduces Tariffs for Large Number of Products

04 January 2019

Council Regulation 2018/2069 is the first of the two new Regulations. It amends Regulation 1387/2013 (a so-called Framework Regulation), which suspends the autonomous common customs tariff duties on certain agricultural and industrial products. Interestingly for Hong Kong traders, this new Regulation states that the EU production of 87 products that have not thus far been listed in the Annex to Regulation 1387/2013 is inadequate or non-existent. More

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