MERCOSUR Proposes to Regulate Silicones in Food-Contact Materials

MERCOSUR (Mercado Común Del Sur or the “Common Market of the South”) has released a draft resolution that would regulate the composition of silicones used in food-contact materials. The draft resolution includes a positive list of polymers, additives, starting materials, and other substances that would be permitted for use in the manufacture of silicones once the regulation is final. The positive list includes specific migration limits (SML) for certain substances, as well as limitations on the level of extractable residual substances in finished silicone articles. The draft resolution also provides recommended analytical methods for verifying compliance with the limits on extractable substances. 

Comments on the draft regulation are due by May 12, 2023. Once the regulation is finalized and adopted at the MERCOSUR level, the final regulation must be transposed into the national legislation of each member country to become law in that country. Both Argentina and Uruguay have notified the World Trade Organization of this draft regulation. For more information on MERCOSUR regulations, see the Packaginglaw.com article, Regulation of Food-Contact Materials in Latin America (Part 1).