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Commission Directive 2007/42/EC of 29 June 2007 relating to materials and articles made of regenerated cellulose film intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (Text with EEA relevance) (Codified version)

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Commission Directive 2007/42/EC

of 29 June 2007

relating to materials and articles made of regenerated cellulose film intended to come into contact with foodstuffs

(Text with EEA relevance)

(Codified version)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and repealing Directives 80/590/EEC and 89/109/EEC(1), and in particular Article 5 thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Commission Directive 93/10/EEC of 15 March 1993 relating to materials and articles made of regenerated cellulose film intended to come into contact with foodstuffs(2) has been substantially amended several times(3). In the interests of clarity and rationality the said Directive should be codified.

(2) The Community measures envisaged by this Directive are not only necessary but also indispensable for the attainment of the objectives of the internal market. These objectives cannot be achieved by Member States individually. Furthermore, their attainment at Community level is already provided for by Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.

(3) In order to achieve the objective laid down in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 in the case of regenerated cellulose film, the suitable instrument was a specific directive within the meaning of Article 5 of that Regulation.

(4) Synthetic casings of regenerated cellulose should be the subject of specific provisions.

(5) The method for determining the absence of migration of colouring matters should be established at a later stage.

(6) Until criteria of purity and methods of analysis have been drawn up, national provisions should remain in force.

(7) The establishment of a list of approved substances, accompanied by limits to the quantities to be used, is sufficient in principle in this specific case to achieve the objective laid down in Article 3(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.

(8) However, the bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ether (= diethyleneglycol) and ethanediol (= monoethyleneglycol) can migrate extensively to certain foodstuffs and therefore in order to avoid this possibility, as a preventive measure, it is more appropriate to lay down definitively the maximum authorised quantity of such substances in foodstuffs which have been in contact with regenerated cellulose film.

(9) To protect the health of the consumer, direct contact between foodstuffs and the printed surfaces of regenerated cellulose film should be avoided.

(10) The written declaration referred to in Article 16(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 should be provided for in the event of professional use of regenerated cellulose film for materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs, except those which are, by their nature, intended for this use.

(11) The rules to be applied to the regenerated cellulose films should be specific to the nature of the layer in contact with the foodstuff. Accordingly, the requirements for regenerated cellulose films coated with coatings consisting of plastics should be different from those provided for regenerated cellulose films uncoated or coated with coatings derived from cellulose.

(12) Only authorised substances should be used in the manufacture of all the types of regenerated cellulose films, including regenerated cellulose films coated with plastics.

(13) In the case of regenerated cellulose films coated with coatings consisting of plastics, the layer in contact with foodstuffs consists of a material similar to plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs. Therefore it is appropriate that the rules provided for in Commission Directive 2002/72/EC of 6 August 2002 relating to plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs(4) apply also to such films.

(14) In the interest of consistency of Community legislation, the verification of compliance of plastic-coated regenerated cellulose films with the migration limits set by Directive 2002/72/EC should be carried out according to the rules laid down in Council Directive 82/711/EEC of 18 October 1982 laying down the basic rules necessary for testing migration of the constituents of plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs(5) and Council Directive 85/572/EEC of 19 December 1985 laying down the list of simulants to be used for testing migration of constituents of plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs(6).

(15) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health.

(16) This Directive should be without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time-limits for transposition into national law and application of the Directives set out in Annex III, Part B,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1U.K.

1.This Directive is a specific directive within the meaning of Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.

2.This Directive shall apply to regenerated cellulose film within the meaning of the description given in Annex I which is intended to come into contact with foodstuffs or which, by virtue of its purpose, does come into such contact and which either:

(a)constitutes a finished product in itself; or

(b)forms part of a finished product containing other materials.

3.This Directive shall not apply to synthetic casings of regenerated cellulose.

Article 2U.K.

The regenerated cellulose films referred to in Article 1(2) shall belong to one of the following types:

(a)

uncoated regenerated cellulose film;

(b)

coated regenerated cellulose film with coating derived from cellulose; or

(c)

coated regenerated cellulose film with coating consisting of plastics.

Article 3U.K.

1.Regenerated cellulose films referred to in Article 2(a) and (b) shall be manufactured using only substances or groups of substances listed in Annex II subject to the restrictions set out therein.

2.By way of derogation from paragraph 1, substances other than those listed in Annex II may be used when these substances are employed as colouring matter (dyes and pigments) or as adhesives, provided that there is no trace of migration of the substances into or onto foodstuffs, detectable by a validated method.

Article 4U.K.

1.Regenerated cellulose film referred to in Article 2(c) shall be manufactured, prior to coating, using only substances or groups of substances listed in the first part of Annex II, subject to the restrictions set out therein.

2.The coating to be applied to the regenerated cellulose film referred to in paragraph 1 shall be manufactured using only substances or groups of substances listed in Annexes II to VI to Directive 2002/72/EC, subject to the restrictions set out therein.

3.Without prejudice to paragraph 1, materials and articles made of regenerated cellulose film referred to in Article 2(c) shall comply with Articles 2, 7 and 8 of Directive 2002/72/EC.

Article 5U.K.

Printed surfaces of regenerated cellulose film shall not come into contact with the foodstuffs.

Article 6U.K.

1.At the marketing stages other than the retail stages, materials and articles made of regenerated cellulose film intended to come into contact with foodstuffs shall be accompanied by a written declaration in accordance with Article 16(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.

2.Paragraph 1 shall not apply to materials and articles made of regenerated cellulose film which by their nature are clearly intended to come into contact with foodstuffs.

3.Where special conditions of use are indicated, the material or article made of regenerated cellulose film shall be labelled accordingly.

Article 7U.K.

Directive 93/10/EEC, as amended by the Directives listed in Annex III, Part A, is repealed, without prejudice to the obligations of the Member States relating to the time-limits for transposition into national law and application of the Directives set out in Annex III, Part B.

References to the repealed Directive shall be construed as references to this Directive and shall be read in accordance with the correlation table in Annex IV.

Article 8U.K.

This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 9U.K.

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 29 June 2007.

For the Commission

The President

José Manuel Barroso

ANNEX IU.K.DESCRIPTION OF REGENERATED CELLULOSE FILM

Regenerated cellulose film is a thin sheet material obtained from a refined cellulose derived from unrecycled wood or cotton. To meet technical requirements, suitable substances may be added either in the mass or on the surface. Regenerated cellulose film may be coated on one or both sides.

ANNEX IIU.K.LIST OF SUBSTANCES AUTHORISED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF REGENERATED CELLULOSE FILM

NB:U.K.

  • The percentages in this Annex, first and second parts, are expressed in weight/weight (w/w) and are calculated in relation to the quantity of anhydrous uncoated regenerated cellulose film.

  • The usual technical denominations are given in square brackets.

  • The substances used shall be of good technical quality as regards the purity criteria.

FIRST PART

Uncoated regenerated cellulose film

DenominationsRestrictions

A. Regenerated cellulose

Not less than 72 % (w/w)
B. Additives

1. Softeners

Not more than 27 % (w/w) in total

Bis (2-hydroxyethyl) ether [= diethyleneglycol]

Only for films intended to be coated and then used for foodstuffs which are not moist, namely which do not contain water which is physically free at the surface. The total amount of bis(2-hydroxyethyl)ether and ethanediol present in foodstuffs that have been in contact with film of this type may not exceed 30 mg/kg of the foodstuff.

Ethanediol [= monoethyleneglycol]

1,3-butanediol

Glycerol

1,2-propanediol [= 1,2 propyleneglycol]

Polyethylene oxide [= polyethyleneglycol]

Average molecular weight between 250 and 1 200.

1,2-polypropylene oxide [= 1,2 polypropyleneglycol]

Average molecular weight not greater than 400 and free 1,3-propanediol content not greater than 1 % (w/w) in substance.

Sorbitol

Tetraethyleneglycol

Triethyleneglycol

Urea

2. Other additives

Not more than 1 % (w/w) in total.
First classThe quantity of the substance or group of substances in each indent may not exceed 2 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.

Acetic acid and its NH4, Ca, Mg, K and Na salts

Ascorbic acid and its NH4, Ca, Mg, K and Na salts

Benzoic acid and sodium benzoate

Formic acid and its NH4, Ca, Mg, K and Na salts

Linear fatty acids, saturated or unsaturated, with an even number of carbon atoms from 8 to 20 inclusive and also behenic and ricinoleic acids and the NH4, Ca, Mg, K, Na, Al, Zn salts of these acids

Citric, d- and l-lactic, maleic, l-tartaric acids and their Na and K salts

Sorbic acid and its NH4, Ca, Mg, K and Na salts

Amides of linear fatty acids, saturated or unsaturated, with an even number of carbon atoms from 8 to 20 inclusive and also the amides of behenic and ricinoleic acids

Natural edible starches and flours

Edible starches and flours modified by chemical treatment

Amylose

Calcium and magnesium carbonates and chlorides

Esters of glycerol with linear fatty acids, saturated or unsaturated, with an even number of carbon atoms from 8 to 20 inclusive and/or with adipic, citric, 12-hydroxystearic (oxystearin), ricinoleic acids

Esters of polyoxyethylene (8 to 14 oxyethylene groups) with linear fatty acids, saturated or unsaturated, with an even number of carbon atoms from 8 to 20 inclusive

Esters of sorbitol with linear fatty acids, saturated or unsaturated, with an even number of carbon atoms from 8 to 20 inclusive

Mono-and/or di-esters of stearic acid with ethanediol and/or bis (2-hydroxyethyl) ether and/or triethylene glycol

Oxides and hydroxides of aluminium, calcium, magnesium and silicon and silicates and hydrated silicates of aluminium, calcium, magnesium and potassium

Polyethylene oxide [= polyethyleneglycol]

Average molecular weight between 1 200 and 4 000.

Sodium propionate

Second classThe total quantity of the substances may not exceed 1 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film and the quantity of the substance or group of substances in each indent may not exceed 0,2 mg/dm2 (or a lower limit where one is specified) of the uncoated film.

Sodium alkyl (C8-C18) benzene sulphonate

Sodium isopropyl naphthalene sulphonate

Sodium alkyl (C8-C18) sulphate

Sodium alkyl (C8-C18) sulphonate

Sodium dioctylsulphosuccinate

Distearate of dihydroxyethyl diethylene triamine monoacetate

Not more than 0,05 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.

Ammonium, magnesium and potassium lauryl sulphates

N,N′-distearoyl diaminoethane, N,N′-dipalmitoyl diaminoethane and N,N′-dioleoyl diaminoethane

2-heptadecyl-4,4-bis(methylene-stearate) oxazoline

Polyethylene-aminostearamide ethylsulphate

Not more than 0,1 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.
Third class — Anchoring agentThe total quantity of substances may not exceed 1 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.

Condensation product of melamine-formaldehyde unmodified, or which may be modified with one or more of the following products:

butanol, diethylenetriamine, ethanol, triethylenetetramine, tetraethylenepentamine, tri-(2-hydroxyethyl) amine, 3,3′-diaminodipropylamine, 4,4′-diaminodibutylamine

Free formaldehyde content not greater than 0,5 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.

Free melamine content not greater than 0,3 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.

Condensation product of melamine-urea-formaldehyde modified with tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine

Free formaldehyde content not greater than 0,5 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.

Free melamine content not greater than 0,3 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.

Cross-linked cationic polyalkyleneamines:

(a)

polyamide-epichlorhydrin resin based on diaminopropylmethylamine and epichlorhydrin;

(b)

polyamide-epichlorhydrin resin based on epichlorhydrin, adipic acid, caprolactam, diethylenetriamine and/or ethylenediamine;

(c)

polyamide-epichlorhydrin resin based on adipic acid, diethylenetriamine and epichlorhydrin, or a mixture of epichlorhydrin and ammonia;

(d)

polyamide-polyamine-epichlorhydrin resin based on epichlorhydrin, dimethyl adipate and diethylenetriamine;

(e)

polyamide-polyamine-epichlorhydrin resin based on epichlorhydrin, adipamide and diaminopropylmethylamine

In accordance with Community directives and in their absence, with national legislation, pending the adoption of Community directives.

Polyethyleneamines and polyethyleneimines

Not more than 0,75 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.

Condensation product of urea-formaldehyde unmodified, or which may be modified with one or of the following products:

aminomethylsulphonic acid, sulphanilic acid, butanol, diaminobutane, diaminodiethylamine, diaminodipropylamine, diaminopropane, diethylenetriamine, ethanol, guanidine, methanol, tetraethylenepentamine, triethylenetetramine, sodium sulphite

Free formaldehyde content not greater than 0,5 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.
Fourth classThe total quantity of substances may not exceed 0,01 mg/dm2 of the uncoated film.

Products resulting from the reaction of the amines of edible oils with polyethylene oxide

Monoethanolamine lauryl sulphate

SECOND PART

Coated regenerated cellulose film

DenominationsRestrictions

A. Regenerated cellulose

See first part.

B. Additives

See first part.
C. Coating

1. Polymers

The total quantity of substances may not exceed 50 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

Ethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl and methyl ethers of cellulose

Cellulose nitrate

Not more than 20 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs; nitrogen content between 10,8 % (w/w) and 12,2 % (w/w) in the cellulose nitrate.

2. Resins

The total quantity of substances may not exceed 12,5 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs and solely for the preparation of regenerated cellulose films with cellulose nitrate based coatings.

Casein

Colophony and/or its products of polymerization, hydrogenation, or disproportionation and their esters of methyl, ethyl or C2 to C6 polyvalent alcohols, or mixtures of these alcohols

Colophony and/or its products of polymerization, hydrogenation, or disproportionation condensed with acrylic, maleic, citric, fumaric and/or phthalic acids and/or 2,2 bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) propane formaldehyde and esterified with methyl ethyl or C2 to C6 polyvalent alcohols or mixtures of these alcohols

Esters derived from bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ether with addition products of betapinene and/or dipentene and/or diterpene and maleic anhydride

Edible gelatine

Castor oil and its products of dehydration or hydrogenation and its condensation products with polyglycerol, adipic, citric, maleic, phthalic and sebacic acids

Natural gum [= damar]

Poly-beta-pinene [= terpenic resins]

Urea-formaldehyde resins (see anchoring agents)

3. Plasticisers

The total quantity of substances may not exceed 6 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

Acetyl tributyl citrate

Acetyl tri(2-ethylhexyl) citrate

Di-isobutyl adipate

Di-n-butyl adipate

Di-n-hexyl azelate

Dicyclohexyl phthalate

Not more than 4,0 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (synonym: phosphoric acid diphenyl 2 ethylhexyl ester)

The amount of 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate shall not exceed:

(a)

2,4 mg/kg of the foodstuff in contact with this type of film; or

(b)

0,4 mg/dm2 in the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

Glycerol monoacetate [= monoacetin]

Glycerol diacetate [= diacetin]

Glycerol triacetate [= triacetin]

Di-butyl sebacate

Di-n-butyl tartrate

Di-isobutyl tartrate

4. Other additives

The total quantity of substances may not exceed 6 mg/dm2 in the uncoated regenerated cellulose film, inclusive of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

4.1. Additives listed in the first part

Same restrictions as in the first part (however the quantities in mg/dm2 refer to the uncoated regenerated cellulose film, inclusive of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs).

4.2. Specific coating additives

The quantity of the substance or group of substances in each indent may not exceed 2 mg/dm2 (or a lower limit where one is specified) of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

1-hexadecanol and 1-octadecanol

Esters of linear fatty acids, saturated or unsaturated, with an even number of carbon atoms from 8 to 20 inclusive and of ricinoleic acid with ethyl, butyl, amyl and oleyl linear alcohols

Montan waxes, comprising purified montanic (C26 to C32) acids and/or their esters with ethanediol and/or 1,3 butanediol and/or their calcium and potassium salts

Carnauba wax

Beeswax

Esparto wax

Candelilla wax

Dimethylpolysiloxane

Not more than 1 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

Epoxidised soya-bean oil (oxirane content 6 to 8 %)

Refined paraffin and microcrystalline waxes

Pentaerythritol tetrastearate

Mono and bis(octadecyldiethyleneoxide)-phosphates

Not more than 0,2 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

Aliphatic acids (C8 to C20) esterified with mono- or di-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine

2- and 3-tert.butyl-4-hydroxyanisole [= butylated hydroxyanisole — BHA]

Not more than 0,06 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

2,6-di-tert.butyl-4-methylphenol [= butylated hydroxytoluene — BHT]

Not more than 0,06 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

Di-n-octyltin-bis(2-ethylhexyl) maleate

Not more than 0,06 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

5. Solvents

The total quantity of substances may not exceed 0,6 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

Butyl acetate

Ethyl acetate

Isobutyl acetate

Isopropyl acetate

Propyl acetate

Acetone

1-butanol

Ethanol

2-butanol

2-propanol

1-propanol

Cyclohexane

Ethyleneglycol monobutyl ether

Ethyleneglycol monobutyl ether acetate

Methyl ethyl ketone

Methyl isobutyl ketone

Tetrahydrofuran

Toluene

Not more than 0,06 mg/dm2 of the coating on the side in contact with foodstuffs.

ANNEX IIIU.K.

PART AU.K.

Repealed Directive with list of its successive amendments

(referred to in Article 7)

Commission Directive 93/10/EEC(OJ L 93, 17.4.1993, p. 27).
Commission Directive 93/111/EC(OJ L 310, 14.12.1993, p. 41).
Commission Directive 2004/14/EC(OJ L 27, 30.1.2004, p. 48).

PART BU.K.

List of time-limits for transposition into national law and application

(referred to in Article 7)

a

In accordance with the first indent of Article 5(1) of Directive 93/10/EEC: ‘Member States shall permit, as from 1 January 1994, the trade in and use of regenerated cellulose film which is intended to come into contact with foodstuffs complying with this Directive.’

b

In accordance with the second indent of Article 5(1) of Directive 93/10/EEC: ‘Member States shall prohibit, as from 1 January 1994, the trade in and use of regenerated cellulose film which is intended to come into contact with foodstuffs and which complies with neither this Directive nor Directive 83/229/EEC, other than film which Directive 92/15/EEC prohibits as from 1 July 1994.’

c

In accordance with the third indent of Article 5(1) of Directive 93/10/EEC: ‘Member States shall prohibit, as from 1 January 1995, the trade in and use of regenerated cellulose film which is intended to come into contact with foodstuffs and which does not comply with this Directive but did comply with Directive 83/229/EEC.’

d

In accordance with Article 2(1)(a) of Directive 2004/14/EC: ‘Member States shall apply those provisions in such a way as to permit the trade in and use of regenerated cellulose film which is intended to come into contact with foodstuffs complying with this Directive, from 29 July 2005.’

e

In accordance with Article 2(1)(b) of Directive 2004/14/EC: ‘Member States shall apply those provisions in such a way as to prohibit the manufacture and importation into the Community of regenerated cellulose film which is intended to come into contact with foodstuffs and which does not comply with the provisions of this Directive as from 29 January 2006.’

DirectiveTime-limit for transpositionDate of application
93/10/EEC1 January 1994

1 January 1994a

1 January 1994b

1 January 1995c

93/111/EC
2004/14/EC29 July 2005

29 July 2005d

29 January 2006e

ANNEX IVU.K.

Correlation table

Directive 93/10/EECThis Directive
Article 1(1) and (2)Article 1(1) and (2)
Article 1(3), introductory wording, point (b)Article 1(3)
Article 1aArticle 2
Article 2Article 3
Article 2aArticle 4
Article 3Article 5
Article 4Article 6
Article 5
Article 6
Article 7
Article 8
Article 7Article 9
Annex IAnnex I
Annex IIAnnex II
Annex III
Annex III
Annex IV
(2)

OJ L 93, 17.4.1993, p. 27. Directive as last amended by Directive 2004/14/EC (OJ L 27, 30.1.2004, p. 48).

(3)

See Annex III, Part A.

(4)

OJ L 220, 15.8.2002, p. 18. Directive as last amended by Directive 2007/19/EC (OJ L 91, 31.3.2007, p. 17).

(5)

OJ L 297, 23.10.1982, p. 26. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 97/48/EC (OJ L 222, 12.8.1997, p. 10).

(6)

OJ L 372, 31.12.1985, p. 14. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2007/19/EC.

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