The Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) on May 11, 2021, concerning four draft food contact regulations. The draft technical regulations are described below.

“Draft Ministerial Regulation on Plastic Containers for Drinking Water (TIS 998-2553(2010))” mandates that plastic containers for drinking water conform with the standard for Plastic Containers for Drinking Water (TIS 998-2553(2010)). The standard specifies sizes, materials, requirements for appearance, labeling, sampling, and criteria for conformity and testing. The WTO notification number is G/TBT/N/THA/613.

“Draft Ministerial Regulation on Plastic Food Containers for Microwave Oven Part 1: For Reheating (TIS 2493-2554(2011))” mandates that plastic food containers for microwave oven conform with various requirements.  The standard, which covers plastic containers with caps that contact food directly, specifies the product types and their abbreviations, materials, general requirements, packaging, marking and labeling, sampling, and criteria for conformity and testing. The WTO notification number is G/TBT/N/THA/614.

“Draft Ministerial Regulation on Plastic Food Containers for Microwave Part 2: For Single Reheating (TIS 2493-2556(2013))” covers food-contact plastic containers, lids, and other components that are intended for single reheating in microwave ovens. They can be made from either single layer or multi-layer materials. Temperature resistance for these products may not be less than 100°C.  The draft technical standard prescribes the product types and their abbreviations, materials, general requirements, packaging, marking and labeling, sampling, and criteria for conformity and testing. The WTO notification number is G/TBT/N/THA/615.

“Draft Ministerial Regulation on Fluoro Polymer Coated Utensils in contact with Food (TIS 2622-2556(2013))” applies to “only utensils formed from a metal substrate and directly food contact side coated with fluoro polymer use for cooking with heat.” However, cooking utensils and electric appliances for electric heating are excluded. The WTO notification number is G/TBT/N/THA/616.

Comments on these draft regulations are due by July 10, 2021.