Mineral Oil Findings in Recycled Fibre Food Packaging
Recycled paperboard packaging requires verified functional barriers and HPLC-GC-FID test dossiers to prevent gas-phase MOSH and MOAH food contamination.
French AGEC Decree 2022-748
Waste Management
National environmental regulations in France have established strict limits on the use of mineral oils in printing inks for packaging. The french agec decree 2022-748 targets the reduction of harmful substances that contaminate the recycling stream for paper and cardboard. It specifically bans the use of inks containing more than a certain percentage of mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons.
This law forces manufacturers to switch to vegetable based inks or other safer alternatives.
Labelling Duty
Information regarding the presence of recycled materials and the recyclability of the package must be clearly communicated to the consumer under this mandate. The french agec decree 2022-748 requires a detailed disclosure of the environmental qualities of the product, including its impact on biodiversity and the use of natural resources. These labels must be easily accessible, often through the use of a digital code on the box.
Material Restriction
Phasing out non recyclable plastics and improving the sorting of waste are the long term goals of this legislation. By enforcing the french agec decree 2022-748, the government aims to create a circular economy where packaging waste becomes a clean raw material for future production. This transition requires significant investment from the printing and converting industry to adapt their processes to the new chemical requirements.