Regulatory Affairs

Snack pouches, beverage packs, small sachets or cover films for convenience meals: All these products belong to the flexible packaging category and are intended to come into contact with food. They are subject to strict legislative supervision. Framework Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 of the European Parliament governs the general requirements imposed on materials in contact with food. Article 3 of this regulation specifies: “Materials and articles ... shall be produced in line with good manufacturing practices such that, under normal or anticipated usage conditions, they do not transfer substances to the food in quantities that are likely to:

• endanger human health or
• bring about an unacceptable change in the composition of the food or
• bring about a deterioration of the organoleptic characteristics (colour, smell, taste) of the food.”

At Wipf, the risk assessment of undesired substance transfers from the packaging material to the food is a key responsibility of the Regulatory Affairs department. This activity is based on the meticulous appraisal of customer requirements, the procurement of all necessary information from suppliers, and the coordination of various analyses performed by contract laboratories. The Regulatory Affairs teams updates its knowledge by attending conferences and association activities, regular reviews of scientific reports, and information exchanges within the supply chain. In the development of new projects, Wipf places emphasis on compliance with legal provisions from the very beginning. For this reason, the Development, Purchasing, Sales, and Regulatory Affairs departments work together very closely.