Today, as environmental protection and sustainable development have increasingly become hot topics around the world, biodegradable plastics are gradually becoming the mainstream of the market due to their environmental - friendly characteristics. Especially in fields such as disposable tableware and beverage straws, biodegradable plastics are demonstrating great potential to replace non - biodegradable plastics with their performance similar to that of traditional plastics. However, as food contact materials, what requirements do biodegradable plastics need to follow? This article will delve into this issue.

Release of the Plastic Restriction Order

On January 16, 2020, the National Development and Reform Commission issued the Opinions on Further Strengthening the Control of Plastic Pollution. This policy aims to restrict the use of single - use plastics and sets specific targets for 2020, 2022 and 2025. This move has had a profound impact on food contact materials (FCM), including the prohibition of the production and sale of single - use foamed plastic tableware, as well as the gradual prohibition of the use of non - degradable straws and tableware.

Rise of Biodegradable Plastics

With the implementation of plastic restriction orders, biodegradable plastics have gradually gained attention and become a star material to replace single-use non-degradable plastics. Due to their environmental characteristics, biodegradable plastics have won consumer favor and secured a place in the market.

Definition and Types

Degradable plastics are plastics that can break down the large - molecule chains of plastics into small molecules through light radiation or the action of microorganisms in the soil under natural or specific conditions, and finally completely degrade into substances harmless to the environment (such as water and carbon dioxide). According to the degradation principle, degradable plastics are mainly divided into photodegradable plastics, destructive biodegradable plastics, fully biodegradable plastics, compostable plastics, etc.

Included in the List of Permitted Substances

GB 4806.6 National Food Safety Standard for Plastic Resins in Food Contact has listed various biodegradable plastic materials for food contact and their restriction requirements. These requirements include temperature usage limits for different materials, as well as residue requirements for specific components, as shown in the following table:

Not listed in the permitted substance list

For degradable plastic materials not listed in GB 4806.6 and its related announcements, if an enterprise wants to use them for food contact purposes, it needs to carry out a pre - market safety assessment and declare new varieties of food - related products to the National Health Commission.

Other compliance requirements

The types and requirements of additives used in degradable food contact materials and products need to comply with the provisions of GB 9685. In addition, compliance tests need to be carried out in accordance with the requirements of GB 4806.7, including total migration, potassium permanganate consumption, heavy metals, etc.