New National Standard for Disposable Paper Cups Sets Printed-Pattern Placement Requirements

[ppzhan abstract]

Starting from the 1st of next month, the new national standard for disposable paper cups will officially take effect. The standard stipulates that there should be no printed patterns "within 15 mm from the cup rim to the cup body or within 10 mm from the cup bottom to the cup body," and that recycled materials must not be used as raw materials. Previously, disposable paper cups were governed only by an industry standard, lacking a national standard. The new national standard (GB/T27590-2011) sets higher requirements for paper cup raw materials, additives, packaging, and printing, so as to safeguard consumer safety. As for the implementation of the new standard, most paper cup companies are optimistic, though some industry insiders say the new national standard for paper cups may prove difficult to enforce.

No printing on the bottom of the cup either

The most closely watched provision is the requirement on printing position, which stipulates that printed patterns on the outside of paper cups should have clear outlines, uniform color, and no obvious color spots, but that "no printing should appear within 15 mm from the cup rim to the cup body or within 10 mm from the cup bottom to the cup body."

"No printing at the cup rim is a protection for consumers," said Dong Jinshi, executive vice president and secretary-general of the Food Packaging Association. When drinking, the lips touch the rim of the cup, and the ink in the printed pattern may be ingested. In addition, when cups are nested together, printing on the bottom of a cup can easily rub color onto the inner wall of another cup, which is why the bottom is also required to be free of printing.

Additives cannot be used at will

On raw materials, to avoid the generation of toxic solvents, the new national standard stipulates that paper cups should have no off-odor, recycled materials should not be used, and additives not covered by GB9685 cannot be used in the production and processing of paper cups.

Dong Jinshi said this means that "all raw materials and additives should meet food packaging-grade requirements."

In addition, the standard also sets requirements for the stiffness and permeability of paper cups: paper cups should not leak or seep water. The packaging materials for paper cups must have sufficient sealing performance and strength, and paper cup packaging should be dust-proof, moisture-proof or mildew-proof.

According to the national standard requirements, substandard paper cups abound on the market today. As for the implementation of the new standard, most paper cup companies are optimistic, while some industry insiders say the new national standard for paper cups may prove difficult to enforce.

Visiting a number of supermarkets and restaurants, the reporter found that paper cups sold in large supermarkets basically all carry the QS mark, and quite a few are printed with colorful patterns all around the cup body. At the same time, the reporter found that most brands label the material of their paper cups rather vaguely: some indicate virgin wood pulp, while others simply write the word "paper," making it impossible to tell whether the cups are made from virgin paper or recycled paper.

"Measured against the new national standard for disposable paper cups that takes effect next month, most of the cups on the shelves, printed with all sorts of patterns, do not meet the requirements," a staff member surnamed Li at a supermarket near Luoyuan Street admitted frankly. Even so, the reporter learned that although less than ten days remain before the new national standard takes effect, most supermarkets have not received any relevant notice from manufacturers.

"Based on past experience, when a new national standard takes effect, manufacturers usually run promotions to clear out 'old products,' but so far there has been no movement," said a staff member surnamed Lu at a certain brand of paper cups. The reporter also learned that most brand manufacturers have made no move: "Implementing the new national standard requires changing molds, which is a big hassle, so new products definitely won't be on the market on June 1," said the head of a manufacturer in the province.

— This article is reposted from China Packaging Network (pack.cn). Original link: http://news.pack.cn/show-362101.html