Taiwan releases draft regulations on packaging materials containing PVC 
Taiwan’s environmental protection administration noticed a period of public comments for drafting “Restriction on the Production, Importation and Sales of Plate Packaging Material Containing Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Designated Recyclable Containers and Non-plate Disposable Tableware Containers”.
The deadline for soliciting opinions is 60 days after the release of draft. According to the draft, the production, importation, and sales of the subject products will be banned, except for products that have been product or imported before November 1, 2022. According to the Environmental Protection Administration, this regulation was enacted in order to reduce the use of PVC-containing products in consideration of the cancer risk posed by polyvinyl chloride (PVC), dioxin generated during disposal, and environmental pollution caused by heavy metals added as stabilizers. A summary of the draft is as follows.
Application Scope
The regulations apply to plate packaging material, recyclable containers and non-plate disposable tableware containers containing PVC, when filled with the following products
- Food, animal food, and feed
- Dairy products
- Seasonings, vinegar, salt
- Edible oils and fats
- Beverages
- Mineral water, pure water, distilled water, etc.
- Liquor
- Medicinal liquors
- Oral solutions of amino acids and several vitamins
- Prepared medicines, medicines ordered by a doctor or pharmacist
Regulatory Provisions
In the case of filling plate packaging material, recyclable containers and non-plate disposable tableware containers containing PVC, with the above-mentioned commodities, the manufacturer, importer, or dealer shall not manufacture, import, or sell the commodities unless they have already been manufactured or imported before November 1, 2022.
The manufacture date shall be calculated based on the manufacture date or effective date indicated on the product.
The import date shall be based on the date indicated on the import customs declaration.
The original text of the above draft can be viewed at the following URL (in traditional Chinese).
https://join.gov.tw/policies/detail/d91666aa-fbcd-489b-ad19-ca6e2f61e5a7
