China releases revised national standard of restricting excessive package for foods and cosmetics

On August 10, 2021, the State Administration for Market Regulation of China released a compulsory national standard – “Requirements of restricting excessive package -Foods and cosmetics” (GB 23350-2021). The standard, which is a revised version of GB 23350-2009, stipulates requirements of restricting excessive package for foods and cosmetics for sales, and will come into force on September 1, 2021. The main amendments are as follows.

Revision of application range

It was clarified that gifts and “Not for Sale” are not applicable (It keeps unchanged that foods and cosmetics for sales are applicable).

Addition of restricting requirements for package layers

The following requirements for package layers are added.

The package layers for grain and its processed products should not exceed 3 layers, and other commodities should not exceed 4 layers.

Simplification of the method of determining excessive package

As the calculation methods are added in this revision, it becomes easier to determine whether is excessive package or not. The judgement can be made by using a formula after getting the data of the weight and volume of the product itself and the volume of the outermost package.

Addition of package indicators for 31 foods and 16 cosmetics

Spatial coefficient of commodity is specified in the Appendix, the coefficient is used to calculate the interspace ratio (the ratio of necessary space occupied by the products itself to the total volume of the package) that can judge excessive package. The following are some examples.

• • Grain and its processed products: 4.5
  • Biscuits: 10.0
  • Alcoholic beverage: 13.0
  • Skin care and cleaning products: 9.0

As mentioned above, the revised standard will come into force on September 1, 2021, it means that there is a 2-year transition period for enterprises and markets. According to the related official of the State Administration for Market Regulation, foods and cosmetics manufactures are urged to make new package designs based on the revised standard and start production, and handle the stock packages and products in the markets in the 2 years.