In January, South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) published proposals to amend the South Korean food contact material regulation, Standards and Specifications for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages. One proposal for comment is to permit the use of recycled polypropylene (PP) in food contact applications, along with a few other changes regarding the chemicals allowed in other food contact plastics. The second proposal is to update the standards relating to rubber products, including silicone, for infants.
Proposal on recycled PP
According to reporting from Chemical Watch, “[t]he [polypropylene] amendment sets out rules for processing, quality assurance, testing and approvals. It also establishes standards for the recognition of mechanically recycled polypropylene…”
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) food contact materials will also be affected by the proposed amendment. There must be no detectable di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP, CAS 117-81-7) in any PVC article and no detectable di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA, CAS 103-2-1) in PVC films.
In a study published in 2024, PVC films released more chemicals than products made of other plastic polymer types and these chemicals were hormone-disrupting, specifically affecting direct cell communication (FPF reported).
Proposal on rubber and silicone products
The rubber amendment reclassifies rubber and silicone products that may be in an infant’s or child’s mouth under a stricter standard previously only used for pacifiers. The new standard lowers the allowed total migration limit to 40 mg/L. In addition, certain chemicals have even stricter specific migration limits, including lead (10 mg/L) and zinc (1 mg/L).
Consultation
A comment period for both proposed amendments is open until March 9, 2026, for the public and March 12, 2026, for members of the World Trade Organization. See the Food Packaging Forum consultations page.
Other actions
South Korea has several other actions related to food contact articles taking effect in 2026. In December 2025, The Korea Times reported the government plans to implement a fee for disposable plastic cups beginning in 2026 as part of a “a comprehensive plastic reduction road map, which is scheduled to be released early next year.” Further efforts include a ban on plastic labels on bottled water effective January 1, 2026.
References
Republic of Korea. (January 12, 2026). “Proposed amendments of the Standards and Specifications for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages (Notice No. 2026-009, 8 January 2026).” World Trade Organization.
Republic of Korea. (January 12, 2026). “Proposed amendments of the Standards and Specifications for Food Utensils, Containers and Packages” (Notice No. 2026-008, 8 January 2026).” World Trade Organization.
Sunny Lee. (February 13, 2026). “South Korea proposes allowing recycled polypropylene in food packaging standards.” Chemical Watch News and Insight.
Sunny Lee. (February 11, 2026). “South Korea proposes tighter rules for rubber products used by infants.” Chemical Watch News and Insight.
Anna J. Park. (December 17, 2025). “Korea to ban free disposable plastic cups.” The Korea Times.
Sichong Wang. (December 16, 2025). “South Korea mandates label-free bottled water by 2026.” Packaging Insights.
