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SGS Highlights Japan’s Food Contact Material Compliance Requirements

BAAR, SWITZERLAND / AGILITYPR.NEWS / October 13, 2026 / SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, has published a Consumer Compact article examining the regulatory landscape for food contact materials (FCMs) in Japan.


A new era for FCM compliance in Japan began on June 1, 2025, following a five-year transition for the country’s Positive List (PL) system. For synthetic resin FCMs, this means businesses must demonstrate that only authorized substances have been used throughout the supply chain.


A shift in global regulatory practice

In the article, SGS explores the global trend toward Positive List-based regulatory frameworks, including the EU’s Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 for plastic FCMs and similar frameworks in China and the United States. Businesses selling FCMs in Japan must now move beyond finished product testing alone to understand and control the polymers, monomers and additives used in manufacturing, while maintaining robust documentation and traceability systems to verify regulatory compliance.


The compliance challenge for global market access

Navigating regional and international requirements demands strong regulatory intelligence and compliance processes, and the article examines how organizations can respond to Japan’s PL requirements through robust compliance processes, enhanced supplier communication and effective documentation practices.


SGS solutions

SGS supports the global FCM industry through compliance assessments, documentation reviews, testing and regulatory guidance. These services help organizations build a comprehensive compliance strategy that extends beyond PL requirements, integrating training with technical workshops and consultation services to maintain market access while strengthening internal compliance capabilities.


Read the full article, ‘Navigating Japan’s New Era of Food Contact Material Compliance’.


For further information, contact:


Kevin Chiu

Senior Technical Development and Harmonization Manager

Tel: +852 2334 4481

Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines

LinkedIn: SGS Connectivity & Products

About Us

SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. We operate a network of over 2,500 laboratories and business facilities across 115 countries, supported by a team of over 100,000 dedicated professionals. With more than 145 years of service excellence, we combine the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of quality, compliance and sustainability.


Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability, enabling businesses to thrive with confidence. We proudly deliver our expert services through the SGS name and a portfolio of trusted specialized brands, including Applied Technical Services, Brightsight, Bluesign and Nutrasource.


SGS is publicly traded on the SIX Swiss Exchange under the ticker symbol SGSN (ISIN CH1256740924, Reuters SGSN.S, Bloomberg SGSN SW).


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