Paper tableware GB will implement additive printing requirements

First, the introduction of the background
Disposable paper tableware as a very important consumer goods has gone deep into thousands of households, such as paper cups, bowls and other products, banks, shops, airplanes and other public places, any need to drink water to have a meal there are paper tableware exists, even in the number of consumers in the home, the original ceramic, glass they were replaced by paper cup, especially the use of cups entertain guests, became the expression of a way of the guests respect. However, paper tableware quality how? If not, would endanger the health of consumers?
International Food Packaging Association was investigated in 2011 of disposable paper cups products to Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei area sale stores and farmers wholesale market part. The investigation covered 34 cups of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei brand 8 supermarket in a total of 47 species, 16 cup brand 4 farmers market a total of 16 varieties.
Through the survey found: undocumented product identification information market sale is not clear, the product of raw material of unknown, open the package and even some products, glass pattern of bright colors, yellow and dark; some product color is white, may in the production process to add a fluorescent whitening agent carcinogenic potential. Disposable paper cup Market dragons and fishes jumbled together the survey also found, many enterprises the implementation of industry standards QB2294-2006 "Cup", but the industry standard of ink is not required, some enterprises use contain toxic solvent benzene, toluene ink printing paper cup.
And the selection and processing technology and paper raw material basically the same paper cup and paper boxes, these problems also exist, the present paper product standards are QB/T2898-2007 "food paper products, paper lunch box" "QB/T2341-1997".
Our paper cups, paper cup, paper lunch boxes on 2008 implementation of the production permit market access (QS) system, the enterprise is the production of these three kinds of products, enterprises only through the issuance of national quality and Technology Supervision Department of the production licenses to the production and sale of.
Was informed by the State Quality Supervision and inspection and quarantine official website, as of 2012 4 at the end of the month, get effective license production of paper cups, paper cups and paper tableware production more than 700 enterprises, most of them for paper enterprises, amounted to more than 600, and many enterprises did not apply for production licenses are still in production, so the actual number of production enterprises is far from so. According to statistics Beijing Kaifa Environmental Technology Consulting Center for many years, at present our country paper lunch boxes the amount of about 1000000000, paper bowl the amount of about 10000000000 cups only, the amount of about 20000000000 only, the disposable tableware (including the amount of plastic) in about 60000000000.
In order to standardize enterprise production, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of consumers, to buy products, the people's Republic of China National Quality Supervision and inspection and Quarantine Bureau and the China National Standardization Management Committee in December 5, 2011 jointly issued the "Cup" GB/T27590-2011, "" GB/T27591-2011, "a paper bowl paper lunch box" GB/T27589-2011 three national recommended standard, and formally implemented in June 1, 2012.
Two, the standard interpretation
GB/T27590-2011 on the classification, requirements, test method, inspection rules and signs, packaging, transportation and storage are specified. The new national standard and the current standard for distinguishing and enterprises need to pay attention to the following items:
1, applicable scope
The national standard "paper cup" (GB/T27590-2011) for the applicable scope are defined, paper cup material requirements "applies to the surface is coated with paraffin, polyethylene film material", and the current industry standard "Cup" QB2294-2006 "material requirements applicable to the surface coated with paraffin, polyethylene coating or polyethylene film degradable material" there is a significant difference between.
Although only a few words of difference, but the industry standard in particular "degradable material made of paper cup" requirements, only applies to the standard, make the most of the current paper products do not meet the requirements, enterprises implement the industry standard is far-fetched, in the paper market confusion caused by the introduction of new national standards issued before.
The present paper products in addition to paper cups, paper bowl is well known to us all, whether containing ice cream, jam or butter, yogurt and instant noodles in the use of paper bowl is also very common.
Paper cup and paper tableware standard only on the raw material was carried out using a shower (cover) film, no such as paper cups listed in the standard classification and application requirements. Therefore, how to define the paper cup and paper lunch box is still in a state of confusion to some enterprises. In the paper cups and bowls for example, raw materials and production process is basically the same, containing a small volume of paper bowl specifically applicable to paper cups or paper bowl standard standard, not to be able to determine from the standard itself. At present, the International Food Packaging Association has standards reflect the question to the state.

2, raw materials and additives requirements
The introduction of new national standards to industry standards in accordance with the quality and use for paper cups classification, increased according to raw material consists of wax cup and coated glass, has the obvious difference with the industry standard.
In the raw material requirements, in addition to the requirements of polyethylene film shall be in accordance with the GB9687 "food packaging hygiene standards" molding polyethylene and paraffin shall comply with GB7189 "food grade paraffin wax" requirements in national standard requirements, paper tableware shall not use recycled materials, at the same time for the raw materials used additives are put forward to meet the GB9685 "food containers, packaging materials, additive use of health standards" requirements, which are not in the industry standard. Additive of fluorescent whitening agent is not in the range of GB9685 shall not be used in the production and processing of paper tableware.
The introduction of new national standards from the source of the paper tableware made more stringent requirements, such as raw materials must be used for food packaging grade paper, food packaging grade polyethylene and food grade paraffin wax, enterprises shall not use recycled scrap, the selection of additives nor the use of fluorescent whitening agent, industrial paraffin, industrial talcum powder, put forward explicit requirements for suppliers of raw materials for paper cups, paper cup, paper lunch boxes, even scrap shop contaminated shall not be used in the production and processing of paper cups, raw materials, additives, all should meet the food packaging level requirements.
Here, the International Food Packaging Association also suggested paper cups, bowls, paper tableware production enterprises, in addition to the procurement of raw materials need to pay attention to the above content, enterprises in the use of packaging products, plastic packaging bags, to meet the food packaging requirements, but also need to obtain the production license (QS).
3, the requirements of printing
First proposed the printing position requirements promulgated a new "national standard paper cup", namely "the cup from the cup body 15 mm, the bottom of the cup from the cup body 10 mm should not print", which is not in the industry standard requirements. Request the index, the production companies, need to pay attention to in the design pattern after the implementation of new standards; for consumers, more than disposable cups are filled drinks or food directly after the entrance of drinking, the cup mouth without printing is also a protection for consumers. At present, our country has no concept of food grade ink printing ink, nor can be used for contact with food.
In March 27, 2011, the national development and Reform Commission issued the "catalogue for the guidance of industrial structure adjustment" (2011 Edition) No. ninth, "the water ink, UV curable ink, vegetable oil inks and other energy-saving environment-friendly ink production" is classified as encouraged, namely, the product is the government support. And "benzene solvent ink production" has been listed in the eliminated class. In accordance with the requirements of the 9 orders, benzene solvent ink production orders from 9 implementation date (June 1, 2011) has been eliminated, ink enterprises may not produce the type of ink, ink using if the enterprise purchase this kind of ink, within the period of validity may continue to use. But the International Food Packaging Association advice, whether enterprise or paper cups, paper bowl, paper tableware production enterprises, to the health of consumers, to replace benzene solvent ink, the use of non - benzene nonketotic more safety and environmental protection ink is imminent.
The paper printed indexes, need for large area printing paper cups may involve correcting problem, but for some fast food enterprises in the cup and cup cover and express the use of straw, the formulation of the index is desirable or not remains to be considered.
Secretary-General of the International Food Packaging Association professor Dong Jinshi said, "for health and safety consideration of consumer protection, because there are a lot of problems at present, ink, printing ink for food packaging materials do not have the relevant standards, regulations or requirements, consumers have many concerns about the hand, consumers in the use of a paper cup, the mouth will touch the cup, cup after bagging the bottom of the cup will contact the inner wall of the cup, in addition, paper cup belongs to the disposable consumer goods, the cup body whole printing will not only result in waste of resources, also do not accord with the green packaging and environmental protection requirements, from a long-term perspective, the national standard paper printing position request is a kind of trend." Now environmental protection ideas win support among the people, color and printing a bit less, the cup a bit thick, use for a long time, it is easy to be accepted by people, but Professor Dong or prompt consumers, not as much as possible, use less disposable items, especially the color is too bright not, printing products larger, both save resources, protect their own security.

4, health requirements
In order to adapt to the country to encourage the water-based ink, UV curable ink, vegetable oil inks and other energy-saving environment-friendly ink production, involving printing paper cups, in the new national standard of special muffin cup appraisal evaporation residue and the consumption of potassium permanganate index ", which marked the evaporation residue index only examine evaporation residues n-hexane and 4% acetic acid under the two conditions, no assessment of 65% ethanol evaporation residue index." "Wax paper cup does not check the evaporation residue and the consumption of potassium permanganate index." This index to a key role in promoting the development of environment-friendly water-based ink, alcohol soluble ink play.
Water-based ink, alcohol soluble ink solvent is water or alcohol, and then use the ethanol immersion test is not scientific, so in the national standard, ethanol evaporation residue project removed, according to the technological requirements and food safety and environmental requirements. International Food Packaging Association, the index for food and paper products, and even to all need to be printed packaging materials on food health physical and chemical indicators are of great reference value, expect attaches great importance to ink manufacturing enterprises, the printing enterprise, food enterprise and inspection departments and law enforcement departments and other units and departments. But at the same time, paper cup production enterprises also need to pay attention to, in the product description should be clearly marked "not containing alcohol", especially drink with high concentration alcohol, so as to avoid ink drink into the stomach causing potential safety problems, and this consumer to be extra careful.
5, a unit of capacity
Whether it is new or existing industry standards for the imminent implementation of the national standard, the capacity of the units are in accordance with the ml to label, but, according to the survey of International Food Packaging Association, the current market sales of paper products, a large number of product is in oz (oz) tagging, for the production of enterprises it may be convenient, products exported to other countries, convenient calculation unit of capacity, such as 1 inch liquid ounce is equivalent to 28.35 ml, 1 US fl oz is equivalent to 29.57 ml, but no oz concept most consumers at present. International Food Packaging Association recommendations, product marking marking content as easy to understand, and meet the requirements of national standard, export products need to be labeled in accordance with the requirements of the exporting country, in the domestic sales of the products, to consumers to understand ml mark, or at the same time tagging oz. Qualified products should also request product qualified raw materials + terminal product quality + labeling content conformity, only three are qualified, is really qualified products.

6, national standard and standard
The introduction of new national standards will be formally implemented in June 1, 2012, because the national standards promulgated a new for the recommended standards, recommended standards are also called non - mandatory standards or voluntary standards, refers to the production, exchange, use, through economic means and market regulation and the voluntary adoption of recommended standards for a class of standard. Recommended standards do not have mandatory, any units have the right to decide whether to use, in violation of these standards, no economic or legal responsibility. It should be noted that, recommended standards by accepting and using, or agreed by the parties agreed to incorporate the economic contract, becomes the technical basis of parties must comply with the common, binding laws.
At present the industry standards for the mandatory standards, national standards implemented, whether the enterprise must implement standards? Industry standard is in accordance with the "people's Republic of China standard" formulation, the method of sixth contents: "the need for nationwide unified technical requirements, national standards shall be formulated. The national standards shall be formulated by the administrative department in charge of standardization under the state council. In the absence of national standards, uniform requirements for a range of industries in the country technology needs, to develop industry standards. Trade standards shall be formulated by the relevant competent administrative departments under the State Council, and reported to the Department of standardization administration departments for the record, published in the national standard, the profession standard shall be invalidated." Under this provision, released in new national standard, the majority of enterprises and the cups are exactly the user in accordance with the standard implementation issues. Even if the implementation of national standards, the production date of the product production enterprises in the standard before the entry into force, and in the warranty period, can still continue to sell.
International Food Packaging Association of national standardization management committee, China Light Industry Federation and the National Paper Industry Standardization Technical Committee and other institutions on the above issues, response to the National Paper Industry Standardization Technical Committee in April 17, 2012 is the "standard review plan Secretariat has been proposed to industry standards, to abolish paper industry standard, on the implementation of any standard, I board views, before 1 June 2012 two criteria can be used after 1 June, the use of the new national standard."

Because it involves correcting many enterprises printing, International Food Packaging Association repeatedly to the authorities confirmed executive standard, 4 at the end of the most recent reply content, "the standard although to the Department of Public Works letter submitted for approval by the repeal, but when the time unknown. Therefore the enterprise can continue to execute QB2294 "cups" industry standard; recommended standard implementation, only the health index is mandatory (because it refers to a mandatory national standard GB11680 "Hygienic standard for food packaging paper," GB9687 "for food packaging in polyethylene moldings hygiene standards", GB7189 "food grade paraffin wax"), if the enterprise implementation of recommended label of the national standard, we should all meet the requirements, including the printing position; if the standard is abolished, the enterprise can make the enterprise standard, health performance indicators must be equal to or higher than GB11680, GB7189, GB9687, printing position requirements can be formulated in accordance with the actual needs; paper bowl standard in the process of formulating, solicit opinions do not provide printing position requirements, therefore, is not recommended in the national standard requirements."
Because the standard management of many different, mark, therefore, will appear chaotic phenomenon of GB, standard selection difficult, difficult to choose. As long as it is not mandatory national standards, which often is good for business, enterprises will choose which standard, only the pursuit of sixty points is very much, is not conducive to the quality competition.
Dong Jinshi think, from a practical point of view, quality of products, not only to standardize enterprise, also need the specification for standard content and standard management.
Three, problems and suggestions
International Food Packaging Association, the new series of national standard for paper tableware, raw materials, additives, printing, marking has more stringent requirements, not only put forward higher requirements for the production of the production and business activities of enterprises, the government regulation has been the national standard basis. Hope that through the industry association's efforts, improved as soon as possible existence of abuse of recycling waste paper, paper waste plastics, industrial paraffin wax, fluorescent whitening agent, benzene solvent ink and disorderly mark phenomenon. In particular, the standard requirements of the "mouth of the cup from the cup body 15 mm, the bottom of the cup from the cup body printing" should not be 10 millimeters, is the minimum requirement for cups printing, not necessarily to be printed according to this value, paper cup body can not printing, production enterprises and QS information you can package printing on paper cup bottom or printed on the packaging of the smallest unit; for the commercial use of a paper cup, the identification information printed on the cup body, but the printing area should be as small as possible standard, light color, such as environmental protection, but also can reach propaganda purposes; for home and office, without the need for business propaganda place selection of paper cups, try to choose no pattern, no printing white cup, safe and cheap

Professor of International Food Packaging Association Secretary, food safety and environmental experts Dong Jinshi think, now, disposable paper tableware issued national standard is recommended, but not mandatory national standards under the premise, the enterprise, and references the standard increases as mandatory, therefore, this is the standard progress. But no matter how harsh standards, are verified from the end of the quality of products, but also on the real production enterprises and self-discipline, will implement the standards, so that consumers use the product. And to do that, large-scale food enterprises should play an exemplary role, such as Macdonald, KFC, Master Kong, Hualong brand use paper cups, paper and other paper products.
To save resources, protect environment perspective, Professor Dong Jinshi suggested to minimize the use of disposable paper cups or not. Buy disposable paper cup, the best "at two Wen three hands", the first is to look at, to see identification information on the packaging such as the production of enterprise information, the symbol of the production license number, production date and shelf life, storage and use conditions of all is it right?. After opening, we want to see the color of the paper cup not too bright; paper cups for light to see do not have impurities. Second is the smell, smell the cup has no pungent odor, especially the smell of ink, or musty smell. The third is to pinch, the cup is very hard, has elasticity, inferior paper cups are often made after a very soft, no rebound performance, pinch flat.
In addition, the purchase of home have a look cold drink cup cup logo is still a hot drink cup, the temperature is 23 ± 1 ℃ water into a cold drink cup, 90 ± 5 ℃ water into hot, add water to the cup mouth plane from ca. 6 mm, a paper cups on the dry plate, static 30 minutes, to observe whether the exudation of watermark, watermark paper cup if, perhaps using recycled paper or a wet paper, do not use. The use of disposable paper cups, the first cup of water is best not to drink, first with boiling water blanched after four or five minutes, pour the water, let the harmful substance full of volatile paper cups.
And the paper cup the new national standard also issued and implemented the standard and "paper bowl" GB/T27591-2011, "" GB/T27589-2011 paper lunch box, this paper introduced products three national standards, over paper food packaging product there is no national standard defects, providing technical support for the development of paper food packaging containers, use the industry standard or other standard products, before the implementation of the production in the national standard, and the shelf life of the product can continue to use. But the paper bowl and tray without printing height requirements and paper cups and bowls, paper lunch boxes evaporation residue detection of different content (cup except ethanol evaporation residue, while the paper cup and paper lunch box testing) will be made of the same material, fair competition paper product function quite leave regret and criticism.
The standard is 2011 December has been released, but at the end of 2012 3 publication, and the implementation of standard time for the June 1, 2012, that is to say only two months for raw and auxiliary materials, process adjustment, for the majority of customized products enterprises, two months may even communicate with customers to determine the printing the pattern of the time is not enough, but what about the revision? In addition to the standard not openly solicited the views of the whole society, many large enterprises, users do not understand this standard, this standard of fairness, scientific also left a hidden danger.