Topics
Japan
October 8, 2025
South Korea’s Ministry of Environment amends Enforcement Decree of the Resource Recycling Act to require 10% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for plastic beverage bottles made by high-volume fillers and manufacturers starting January 1, 2026; Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry outlines plastic beverage bottle design requirements for certification under Plastic Resource Recycling Promotion Act of 2022 starting January 24, 2026, including minimum 15% recycled PET content
Reading time: 3 minutes
June 4, 2025
Translated frequently asked questions (FAQ) detail requirements for Japanese plastic food contact materials positive list; transitional measures for complying with the positive list will expire on May 31, 2025; new draft proposal on reassessment of substances on the positive list
Reading time: 1 minute
September 27, 2024
Japanese ministries propose ban on 138 PFOA-related substances; will be classified as class I compounds; public consultation closes on October 9, 2024, ban will come into force on January 10, 2025; authorities revise testing standards, introduce overall migration test; takes effect in 2025
Reading time: 1 minute
June 25, 2024
Japan finalizes structure of positive list for synthetic polymer containing utensils, containers, and packaging for food contact; lists 21 approved polymer types and 827 approved additives; consultation on additional additives ongoing; positive list system must be fully implemented by manufacturers by June 2025
Reading time: 2 minutes
February 23, 2024
Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare publishes lists of polymers, additives, and monomers permitted for use in food contact; enforcement of updated list and use requirements set for June 1, 2025; Japanese industry organization publishes discussion paper on chemicals management for products in the circular economy
Topics: Japan, regulation
Reading time: 1 minute
April 18, 2023
Group of Japanese consumer organizations form ‘Network for Protecting Children from Hazardous Chemicals’; purpose is to gather and communicate scientific research and urge for legislative changes; inauguration event takes place on April 22, 2023
Reading time: 2 minutes
April 10, 2023
Draft introduces new definitions of polymers; revises usage allowances for some substances
Reading time: 1 minute
October 19, 2022
On the morning of the Food Packaging Forum’s annual workshop, speakers discuss changes in food contact material (FCM) regulation in the EU, US, and Asia; panels discuss key research and policy developments over the last decade
Topics: 2022 workshop, china, endocrine disruptor, EU, European Parliament, India, Indonesia, Japan, LCA, Philippines, recycling, Thailand, USA, workshop
Reading time: 10 minutes
July 27, 2022
United States Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions adds the Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act as amendment to Food and Drug Administration funding bill; if it passes, PFAS would be banned in food packaging by January 1, 2024; trade groups in US state of Maine protest PFAS notification; Belgium plans national ban on PFAS if EU does not act by 2023; Japan bans 56 PFOA-related substances; Mexico proposes PFOS, PFOA import and export restrictions
Reading time: 3 minutes
April 7, 2022
Smithers conference covers global developments in food contact regulations and materials; speakers on day two review recent and upcoming changes to food packaging regulations in China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia
Reading time: 5 minutes
