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Agenda

PFAS and other upcoming chemicals and sustainability regulations
Pre-conference workshop
Workshop speaker Ales Bartl, Partner, Keller & Heckman
By attending this workshop delegates can delve into the intricacies of PFAS and other upcoming chemicals and sustainability regulations in relation to food contact materials on both a regional and global scale. In-depth analysis and Q & A session will allow you to consider your companies  obligations and the critical timelines that need to be kept in mind.
This workshop, which will take place between 2:45pm to 5:30pm on Monday 8th December , will be a deep dive into this topic notably:
  • Update on universal PFAS restriction, PFAS restriction under PPWR
  • CLP considerations regarding BPA Regulation
  • Microplastics Restrictions
  • Update on upcoming revision of sustainability regulations, Chemicals Industry Package
  • Update on revision of REACH
  • One Substance One Assessment 
  • Advocacy tips, legal remedies
Workshop timings
2:45 pm Workshop registration / refreshments
3:00pm Workshop intro
3:15 first talk
4:00 refreshment break
4:15 second talk
5:00 Q&A
5:30 workshop end
 
Welcome refreshments and registration
Smithers welcome
Chair’s welcome
Session 1: Current and future regulatory considerations for the FCM industry
FCA’s proposal for a risk-based food contact framework regulation
FCA’s vision for a future FCM regulatory framework can be briefly summarized as follows:
  • The proposal follows a comprehensive approach that considers both key aspects of a risk assessment: 
  • hazard through the One Substance, One Assessment (OSOA) principle and the database of FCM relevant substance ‘Health-Based Limit Values’ (HBLV) publicly available (ECHA); and
  • exposure through realistic levels of migrating substances. (EFSA)
  • To enable this approach, a new voluntary notification system will be proposed, allowing companies to report refined exposure scenarios.

Pascal Schmahl | Sector Group Manager, CEFIC
Towards the preparation of the Nestlé Guidance for the Safety Assessment of Paper Based Packaging
  • The demand for paper-based packaging is increasing, consequently there is a need to have guidance for the safety assessment of this category of packaging.
  • At present time, there is no harmonized dedicated regulation on paper-based packaging used as food contact materials, neither within EU nor at global level.
  • Nestlé as a Global Company needs to have a Guidance to be applied worldwide for the safety assessment of paper-based packaging.

Dr. Lionel Spack | Senior Expert Food Contact Materials, Nestle
Networking refreshment break
Unpacking the Future: Food Contact Materials at the US FDA and the MAHA Revolution
  • This presentation will examine the Trump Administration’s impact on the US FDA’s regulation of food contact materials.

Joe Dages | Partner, Steptoe LLP
Session 2: Inks and adhesives in FCM – regulatory updates, market expectations and challenges
How to prepare for a future of complexity and uncertainty within food packaging adhesives
•    Regulatory status and ambition
•    Market expectations
•    Preparing for change
•    Summary
Neil Finley | Head of PSRA Food Safety, Henkel Adhesive Technologies
German Ink Ordinance – the countdown is almost over
 
  • German Ink Ordinance in the context of European legislation
  • Regulatory scope and main requirements
  • Positive list, handling of Non Listed Substances (NLS)
  • Challenges for UV inks
  • What has been done during the transition period in terms of preparation (Sandbox Project)
  • Assessment of Non Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS)
  • Comparison to the revised Swiss Ordinance (can one refer to it as harmonization?)
  • Does the German Ink Ordinance have a future justification with respect to the planned revision of the EU Framework Regulation?

Dr. Evert Delbanco | Director Food Safety & Toxicology, Siegwerk Druckfarben AG
Networking lunch break
Session 3: Safety and communication along the supply chain
How to communicate the safety of paperboard packaging in a developing regulatory landscape?
  • Packaging plays an essential role in our lives, serving important functions for the packed goods and products it protects.  Fresh fibre paperboard packaging is an important contributor to a functional circular economy in Europe.
  • Clear communication throughout the entire value chain is essential, and Metsä Board has optimised information flows both from its suppliers and towards customers.
  • Metsä Board’s Product Safety Statement is a unique document covering a wide range of product safety information related to sensitive packaging needs, including the regulatory compliance status of its paperboard products.

 

Helena Moring-Vepsäläinen | Product Safety, Metsä Board
What to include in declarations of compliance?
  • DoC requirements in the EU and at national level
  • Content of the DoC and new additional information required by the Quality Amendment
  • Does and Don’ts

Rachida Semail | Partner, Keller & Heckman
Risk factors and mitigation strategies for safe recycling in contact sensitive applications
To evaluate the safety of recycled plastics in food packaging, the SafeCycle project investigates potential sources of DNA-reactive contaminants. The study identifies critical risk factors and evaluates mitigation strategies such as de-inking and sorting. Results provide key insights for the safe implementation of circular packaging systems.
Laura Stremnitzer | Project Manager, Packaging, Recycling & Food, OFI-Austrian Research Institute of Chemistry and Technology
Networking refreshment break
An Overview of Risk Assessment for Food Contact Materials: Methodology and Practical Example
In this presentation, risk assessment as regulatory element will be explained based on legal European background and EU fundamental requirements which is Art.3 of regulation (EC) No 1935/2004. An overview of risk assessment and methodology for food contact materials (FCMs) will be presented based on one of our product’s composition, using different methods for migration and toxicological studies, EFSA TTC (Threshold of Toxicological Concern) decision tree and overview of the most important threshold values.
 
Dr. Zahra Mazloomi | Expert Product Stewardship and Data Manager, BASF SE
Chair’s summary
FoodChain ID User Meeting
Networking drinks reception sponsored by Steptoe LLP 18:00 - 19:30
Registration and welcome refreshments
Chair’s welcome
Session 4: Recycling and PPWR - updates and industry challenges
FCM plastics recycling regulation 2022/1616: Implementation of Article 6 on Collection and Preprocessing
Update on the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation – Focus on Particular Challenges
  • Developments since the entry into force of the PPWR
  • A look at some particular challenges for industry

Hazel O'Keeffe | Partner, Keller and Heckman LLP
Navigating Complexity: Regulatory Challenges in Food Contact Materials
Food contact materials (FCMs) are facing growing challenges as legal and non-legal requirements become more complex. This presentation explores the difficulties regulatory professionals face in helping the food industry stay compliant while protecting public health.
Recent changes—such as stricter EU rules on plastics, the phase-out of substances like Bisphenol A and PFAS, and new sustainability demands—are creating a mix of overlapping and sometimes conflicting requirements. In addition to laws, companies must also respond to market expectations around safety, transparency, and environmental impact.
In this presentation, I will take you through the key challenges the food industry is facing and explore how regulatory professionals can help shape practical and forward-looking solutions.
 
Elly Spies | Senior Development Specialist & Food Contact Material Expert, FrieslandCampina
Networking refreshment break
Session 5: Chemicals of concern in FCM
Assessment of Chemicals of Concern for Beverage & Food Dispensers and Manufacturing Lines in the Food Industry with FCM Focus
  • Mapping Strategies
  • Difficulties Along the Supply Chain
  • Testing Challenges for Content and Migration Analysis

Burcak Icli Pollard | Food Contact Material Senior Specialist RSA & Safety, Nestlé
Bioplastics & Paper: PFAS mobility from the new product to the end-of-life
  • The critical question is PFAS mobility: Will PFAS contaminate compost and recycled paper materials?
  • Paper  needs high-performance barriers, after  PFAS ban. Are Bioplastics  truly viable barrier solutions for safety, performance and end of life?

Andrea Vittadello | Project Manager, Science Center, Mérieux NutriSciences Italia
Session 6: Risk assessment of FCM
From Good to Exceptional: The Value of Good Manufacturing Practice
This presentation will provide a brief overview of common principles of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) requirements for food-contact manufacturing in the U.S. and EU, as well as some practical examples of both successes and common pitfalls to avoid when implementing GMP strategy.
 
Danny Rubenstein | Partner, Steptoe LLP
Networking lunch break
Is it possible to globally harmonise approaches to risk assessment
Risk assessment of food contact articles intended for repeated use
  • Food contact articles for food processing equipment and household utensils are normally intended for repeated use.
  • This presentation will provide an overview of the regulatory landscape, summarize existing guidance documents, and highlight challenges for the risk assessment of plastic and rubber food contact articles for repeated use.
  • Key questions will be raised to stimulate discussion, and preliminary solutions will be offered to support future alignment.

Dr. Petra Hilt | Global Senior Regulatory Manager, Food Contact and Special Materials, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions Germany GmbH
Session 7: Testing, toxicology and barriers
FCM sustainability in Legislation, Lab Testing and Toxicology
  • To become more sustainable, society and industry reuse, remanufacture and recycle & develop biobased FCM
  • FCM regulations were updated to keep meeting the highest safety standards: PPWR, (EU) 2022/1616, (EC) 10/2011 
  • We discuss and illustrate lab testing for PPWR, decontamination-efficiency determination and monitoring & High Degree of Purity for a biobased FCM, including risk assessment

Eva Reingruber | Scientist Food Contact Materials and Analytical Chemistry, Triskelion
Status of microfibrillated cellulose barrier solution regarding food contact compliance
  • The wet lamination concept: combining a layer of MFC with paper or board using a glueless method.
  • A cellulosic solution with high barrier properties to grease and oxygen but also preventing migration from contaminant such as mineral oils into the food.
  • An overview of EU regulations, particularly in relation to BfR recommendations
     

Mathilde Rota | Project Leader, Centre technique du papier
Chair’s summary and end of event
P-P-Agenda-2025