The Confederation of European Paper Industries has launched a completely rewritten Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) guidance for manufacturers of paper and board for food contact applications, from frozen food cartons to corrugated fruit and vegetable boxes. The new GMP replaces a previous version published in 2002 and contains a number of new concepts and methodologies. It is focused on risk assessment, ensures appropriate controls throughout the process, and integrates quality aspects relevant to food packaging into existing quality management system at the paper mills.It is a requirement of the Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food (“the Framework Regulation”), that all these materials and articles shall be manufactured in accordance with GMP. The components and principles of such a GMP are described in the Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food (“the GMP Regulation”).
Because the GMP Regulation applies to all types of food contact materials and articles, there is a need for specific advice on its implementation in each manufacturing sector. The GMP published now by CEPI gives that implementation advice for the paper and board manufacturing industry.
Main features are:
• The GMP covers the entire production process until the start of converting operations. Preventive measures are based on the intended use of the end product.
• The guidance is divided into two main operational parts. Firstly, description of the basic requirements of the GMP Regulation and how they are to be interpreted in the context of paper production. Secondly, a list of detailed actions which interpret these requirements for adoption by the paper industry in order to achieve compliance with the GMP Regulation.
• It is assumed that operators have in place the ISO 9001 quality management system or equivalent.
“GMP is an essential part of the production of food contact paper and board. We encourage all producers to review the new guidance and to give us their feedback for the revision of the document by the end of 2011”, explains Jori Ringman-Beck, CEPI Recycling and Product Director. “The GMP adds to the paper industry’s responsible, pro-active and innovative work to ensure consumer safety. Together with the Industry Guideline that the industry published earlier this year they form a solid base for manufacturing of safe products for food packaging”, Ringman-Beck said.
The brochure "Good Manufacturing Practice" can be downloaded from cepi.org. The Related Industry Guideline for the Compliance of Paper& Board Materials and Articles for Food Contact can be found under cepi.org.
SOURCE: Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI)
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