MERCOSUR Updates Technical Regulation for Food-Contact Metal Containers

The Grupo Mercado Común (GMC) of MERCOSUR (Mercado Común Del Sur or the “Common Market of the South”) approved GMC Res. 48/23, “Modification of GMC Resolution No. 46/06, MERCOSUR Technical Regulation on provisions for metal containers, coatings, utensils, lids and equipment in contact with food” on December 5, 2023. 

GMC Res. 48/23, previously known as Proposed draft resolution (P. Res.) No. 02/22 Rev. 1, includes the following amendments to GMC Res. 46/06:

• Updates to the limits for certain impurities (e.g., lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and antimony) in metallic materials;
• Revisions to the list of stainless steel alloys authorized for use in food-contact applications; and
• The addition of uncoated carbon steel (for limited applications) and passivated metals and metal coatings to list of raw materials authorized for use in contact with food.

GMC Res. 46/06 was previously amended by GMC Res. 16/20. A consolidated version of the amended GMC Res. 46/06 is not currently available. Thus, it is necessary to review all three regulations (46/06, 16/20, and 48/23) when evaluating the MERCOSUR compliance of a metal food-contact article.

GMC Res. 48/23 will now need to be incorporated into the national legislation of each MERCOSUR Member State. (For background on how food packaging materials are regulated by MERCOSUR, see the Packaginglaw.com article, Update: Food Packaging Regulations in Latin America.)