2003 No. 2

FOOD

Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

Made

Coming into operation

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety1, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by Articles 15(2), 16(1), 25(1)(a) and (3), 32 and 47(2) of the Food Safety (Northern Ireland) Order 19912, having had regard, in accordance with Article 47(3A) of the said Order, to relevant advice given by the Food Standards Agency, and after consultation as required by Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No. 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety3, and in accordance with Article 47(3) and (3B) of the said Order, hereby makes the following Regulations:

Citation and commencement1

These Regulations may be cited as the Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 and shall come into operation on 28th February 2003.

Amendments to the Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998

2

The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 19984 (“the principal Regulations”) shall be amended in accordance with regulations 3 to 6.

3

In regulation 10 (offences), immediately after paragraph (18) there shall be added the following paragraphs–

19

In any proceedings for an offence under these Regulations, it shall be a defence to prove that–

a

the act constituting the offence was committed in relation to a plastic material or article which was manufactured or imported into the European Community before 1st March 2004 and the matter constituting the offence would not have constituted an offence under these Regulations if the amendments made to them by the provisions specified in paragraph (20) had not been in force at the time that matter occurred; or

b

the act constituting the offence was committed in relation to a plastic material or article which was manufactured or imported into the European Community before 1st March 2003, and the matter constituting the offence would not have constituted an offence under these Regulations if the amendments made to them by regulation 4(a)(i) and (b) (in so far as they relate to the monomer divinylbenzene) and 6 of the Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 had not been in force at the time that matter occurred.

20

The provisions referred to in paragraph (19)(a) are the provisions of the Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003, except in so far as they relate to the monomer divinylbenzene.

4

In Schedule 1 (monomers authorised without time limit, monomers authorised up to the end of 2001, monomers authorised up to the end of 1998 and supplementary)–

a

in Section A of Part I–

i

in the case of each monomer listed in Part I of Schedule 1 to these Regulations, the item number, PM/REF No, CAS No, name and restriction or specification specified for that monomer in that Part shall be inserted in the appropriate numerical position for that item number,

ii

in the case of each monomer named in the second column of Part II of Schedule 1 to these Regulations, for the item number for that monomer specified opposite to it in the column headed “Item” there shall be substituted the item number for it specified in the first column (item) of that Part,

iii

in the case of the monomer Bis (4-isocyanatocyclohexyl) methane (item 43), for the entry for that monomer specified in column 1 (PM/REF/No) there shall be substituted the entry “13560”, and

iv

in the case of each monomer named in the first column of Part III of Schedule 1 to these Regulations, for the entry for that monomer specified opposite to it in column 4 (restrictions and specifications) there shall be substituted the entry for it specified in the second column (restrictions and specifications) of that Part;

b

in Section B of Part I, all the entries for the monomers named in Part IV of Schedule 1 to these Regulations shall be deleted; and

c

in Part II, at the end of paragraph 4 there shall be inserted the following provisions–

22

SML(T) in this case means that the restriction shall not be exceeded by the sum of the migration levels of the substances having PM/REF/Nos. 13620, 36840, 40320 and 87040.

23

SML(T) in this case means that the restriction shall not be exceeded by the sum of the migration levels of the substances having PM/REF/Nos. 13720 and 40580.

24

SML(T) in this case means that the restriction shall not be exceeded by the sum of the migration levels of the substances having PM/REF/Nos. 16650 and 51570.

25

QM(T) in this case means that the restriction shall not be exceeded by the sum of the residual quantities of the substances having PM/REF/Nos. 14950, 15700, 16240, 16570, 16600, 16630, 18640, 19110, 22332, 22420, 22570, 25210, 25240 and 25270.

5

In Schedule 2 (additives and supplementary)–

a

in Part I–

i

in the case of each additive listed in Part I of Schedule 2 to these Regulations, the item number, PM/REF No, CAS No, name and restriction or specification specified for that additive in that Part shall be inserted in the appropriate numerical position for that item number,

ii

in the case of the additive Bis (polyethyleneglycol) hydroxymethylphosphonate, there shall be inserted in column 2 (CAS No) the entry “68951-50-8”, and

iii

in the case of the additive named in the first column of Part II of Schedule 2 to these Regulations, for the entry for that additive specified opposite to it in column 4 (restrictions and specifications) there shall be substituted the entry for it specified in the second column (restrictions and specifications) of that Part; and

b

in Part II–

i

in the case of each additive listed in Part III of Schedule 2 to these Regulations, the item number, PM/REF/No, CAS No, name and restriction or specification specified for that additive in that Part shall be inserted in the appropriate numerical position for that item number, and

ii

in the case of each additive named in the first column of Part IV of Schedule 2 to these Regulations, for the entry for that additive specified opposite to it in column 4 (restrictions and specifications) there shall be substituted the entry for it specified in the second column (restrictions and specifications) of that Part; and

c

in Part III–

i

in note (11) of paragraph 4, after “36800” there shall be inserted “, 36840”, and

ii

at the end of that paragraph there shall be added the following provisions–

22

SML(T) in this case means that the restriction shall not be exceeded by the sum of the migration levels of the substances having PM/REF/Nos. 13620, 36840, 40320 and 87040.

23

SML(T) in this case means that the restriction shall not be exceeded by the sum of the migration levels of the substances having PM/REF/Nos. 13720 and 40580.

24

SML(T) in this case means that the restriction shall not be exceeded by the sum of the migration levels of the substances having PM/REF/Nos. 16650 and 51570.

6

In Schedule 2B (specifications) in the case of the substance specified in Schedule 3 to these Regulations, the item number, PM/REF No and specification set out for that substance in that Schedule shall be inserted in the appropriate numerical position for that item number and letter.

Sealed with the Official Seal of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety on 3rd January 2003.

Don HillA Senior Officer of theDepartment of Health, Social Services and Public Safety

SCHEDULE 1

Regulation 4(a)(i), (ii) and (iv) and (b)

PART Ilist of monomers to be added to section a of part i of schedule i to the principal regulations

Item

PM/REF No.

CASNo.

Name

Restrictions and specifications

33B

13075

00091-76-9

Benzoguanamine

see “2,4-Diamino-6-Phenyl-1,3,5-Triazine”

47B

13620

10043-35-3

Boric acid

SML(T) = 6 mg/kg (22) (expressed as boron) without prejudice to the provisions of Directive 98/83/EC on water for human consumption5.

49A

13720

00110-63-4

1,4-Butanediol

SML(T) = 0.05 mg/kg (23)

76A

15310

00091-76-9

2,4-Diamino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine

QMA = 5 mg/6 dm2

92A

16650

00127-63-9

Diphenyl sulphone

SML(T) = 3 mg/kg (24)

93A

16690

01321-74-0

Divinylbenzene

QMA = 0.01 mg/6 dm2 of SML = ND (DL = 0.02 mg/kg, analytical tolerance included) for the sum of divinylbenzene and ethylvinylbenzene and in compliance with the specifications laid down in Schedule 2B.

93C

16697

00693-23-2

n-Dodecanedioic Acid

120A

18897

16712-64-4

6-Hydroxy-2-naphthalenecarboxylic acid

SML = 0.05 mg/kg

120B

18898

103-90-2

N-(4-Hydroxyphenyl) acetamide

Only to be used in liquid crystals and behind a barrier layer in multi-layered plastics.

147B

22332

28679-16-5

Mixture of (40% w/w) 2,2,4-trimethylhexane-1,6-diisocyanate and (60% w/w) 2,4,4- trimethylhexane-1,6-diisocyanate

QM(T) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

217A

25840

03290-92-4

1,1,1-trimethyl-olpropane trimethacrylate

SML = 0.05 mg/kg

PART IIlist of monomers for which the entry contained in the first column (item) of section a of part i of schedule 1 to the principal regulations is to be amended

Item

Name

49B

1.4-Butanediol bis(2.3-epoxypropyl)ether

49C

1,4-Butanediol formal

76B

1,6-Diamino-2,2,4-trimethylhexane

76C

1,6-Diamino-2,4,4-trimethylhexane

93B

N,N−-Divinyl-2-imidazolidone

93D

1-Dodecene

217B

Trioxane

PART IIIlist of monomers for which the entry contained in column 4 (restrictions) of section a of part i of schedule 1 to the principal regulations is to be amended

Name

Restrictions and specifications

Chlorotrifluoroethylene

QMA = 0.5 mg/6 dm2

Cyclohexyl isocyanate

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

Dicyclohexylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

3,3'-Dimethyl-4,4'-diisocyanatobiphenyl

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

Diphenylether-4,4'-diisocyanate

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

Diphenylmethane-2,4'-diisocyanate

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

Diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

Hexamethylene dissocyanate

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

1-isocyanato-3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexane

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

1,5-Naphthalene diisocyanate

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

Octadecyl isocyanate

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

2,4-Toluene diisocyanate

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

2,6-Toluene diisocyanate

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

2,4-Toluene diisocyanate dimer

QM(T ) = 1 mg/kg (expressed as NCO) (25)

PART IVlist of monomers for which all the entries contained in section b of part i of schedule 1 to the principal regulations are to be deleted

  • Benzoguanamine

  • 1,4-Butanediol

  • 2,4-Diamino-6-phenyl-1,3,5-triazine

  • Divinylbenzene

  • n-Dodecanedioic acid

  • 1,1,1-Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate

SCHEDULE 2

Regulation 5(a)(i) and (iii) and (b)

PART Ilist of additives to be added to part i of schedule 2 to the principal regulations

Item

PM/REF No.

CASNo.

Name

Restrictions and specifications

27b

36840

12007-55-5

Barium tetraborate

SML(T) = 1 mg/kg expressed as barium (11) and SML(T) = 6 mg/kg (22) (expressed as boron) without prejudice to the provisions of Directive 98/83/EC on water for human consumption.

38C

40320

10043-35-3

Boric acid

sml(t) = 6 mg/kg (22) (expressed as boron) without prejudice to the provisions of Directive 98/83/EC on water for human consumption.

40A

40580

00110-63-4

1,4-Butanediol

SML(T) = 0.05 mg/kg (23)

188B

71670

178671-58-4

Pentaerythritol tetrakis (2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate)

SML(T) = 0.05 mg/kg

246A

87040

01330-43-4

Sodium tetraborate

SML(T) = 6 mg/kg (22) (expressed as boron) without prejudice to the provisions of Directive 98/83/EC on water for human consumption.

PART IIadditive for which the entry contained in column 4 (restrictions and specifications) of part i of schedule 2 to the principal regulations is to be amended

Name

Restrictions and specifications

Bis(polyethyleneglycol) hydroxymethylphosphonate

SML = 0.6 mg/kg

PART IIIlist of additives to be added to part ii of schedule 2 to the principal regulations

Item

PM/REF No.

CASNo.

Name

Restrictions and specifications

27A

45650

6197-30-4

2-Cyano-3,3- diphenylacrylic acid, 2-ethylhexyl ester

SML = 0.05 mg/kg

82A

68860

04724-48-5

n-Octylphosphonic acid

SML = 0.05 mg/kg

111A

95000

28931-67-1

Trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate-methyl methacrylate copolymer

PART IVlist of additives for which the entry contained in column 4 (restrictions and specifications) of part ii of schedule 2 to the principal regulations is to be amended

Name

Restrictions and specifications

n,n-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)alkyl (C8-C18) amine hydrochlorides

SML(T) = 1.2 mg/kg (12) expressed as tertiary amine (expressed excluding HCl)

Diphenyl sulphone

SML(T) = 3 mg/kg (24)

SCHEDULE 3SUBSTANCE TO BE ADDED TO SCHEDULE 2B TO THE PRINCIPAL REGULATIONS

Regulation 6

Item

PM/Ref No.

Specifications

1

16690

Divinylbenzene – must not contain more than 40% ethylvinylbenzene

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations, which amend for the third time the Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1998 (“the principal Regulations”), implement Commission Directive 2002/17/EC amending Directive 90/128/EEC relating to plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (O.J. No. L58, 28.2.2002, p. 19), except paragraph 1(a) of the Annex and paragraph 2(a)(ii) of the Annex in so far as it relates to the additives benzaldehyde and camphor, which were implemented by the Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002 (S.R. 2002 No. 316).

The Regulations amend the principal Regulations by–

a

adding a transitional provision in respect of proceedings for an offence under them (regulation 3);

b

adding new substances to the list of monomers which may be used in the manufacture of plastic materials or articles and amending the conditions of use of certain monomers used in such manufacture (regulation 4);

c

adding new substances to the non-exhaustive list of additives used in the manufacture of plastic materials or articles and amending the conditions of use of certain additives used in such manufacture (regulation 5); and

d

adding certain substances to the list of substances whose specifications are set out in Schedule 2B to the principal Regulations (regulation 6).