Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Standardization Administration jointly issued the mandatory national standard GB 43352-2023 "Heavy Metals and Specific Substances in Express Packaging", which will come into effect on June 1, 2024. This is the first mandatory national standard for express packaging in China, aimed at prohibiting the use of toxic and harmful express packaging materials, establishing clear safety bottom lines and red lines, and promoting the green development of the express packaging industry.

Standard background and core content

GB 43352-2023 specifies in detail the green and environmentally friendly quantity indicators for paper, plastic, and textile fiber express packaging materials. Especially, it specifies the specific requirements and testing methods for the amount of heavy metals and specific substances in express packaging. The implementation of standards will greatly promote the green level of express packaging products, provide strong support for the green and high-quality development of the industry, and provide a solid technical basis for industry supervision.

Paper express packaging

The standard strictly stipulates the total amount and component limits of four heavy metals, lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium, and makes clear requirements for the amount of solvent residue and adsorbable organic halogens (AOX). In addition, special regulations have been added for the quantity of bisphenol A in electronic waybills for express delivery.

Plastic express packaging

Plastic express packaging is divided into two categories: non biodegradable and biodegradable. Non biodegradable plastics must meet the requirements for the total amount and quantity of lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium heavy metals, as well as the requirements for solvent residue and phthalates. In addition to the above requirements, biodegradable plastics also need to meet the specific amounts of seven elements such as zinc, copper, and nickel.

Textile fiber express packaging

The standard specifies the total amount and quantity requirements of four heavy metals, lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium, for textile fiber express packaging. Due to the fact that this type of packaging does not come into direct contact with human skin for a long time and rarely uses dyes and coatings, indicators such as extractable heavy metals have not been considered.

Composite material express packaging

For composite express packaging products composed of multiple materials, the standard requires manufacturers to declare the type of each material and ensure that they meet the relevant requirements for paper, plastic, and textile fibers.

Test Item

Heavy metals and specific substancesThe standard requires the detection of the content of four heavy metals, lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium, with a total amount not exceeding 100mg/kg.fluorineDue to the potential release of fluoride from the materials used in express packaging, it poses a potential hazard to human health and the environment.solvent residueThe standard stipulates that the total amount of residual solvents shall not exceed 10mg/㎡, among which the amount of benzene solvents in paper packaging shall not exceed 3mg/㎡, and the amount of benzene solvents in plastic packaging shall not exceed 2mg/㎡.bisphenol AAs a potential endocrine disruptor, the standard has strict regulations on its dosage to ensure that it is harmless to human health.AOXAs a potential pollutant, the standard also limits its content in express packaging.Phthalate estersDue to its chronic toxicity and carcinogenicity, the standard strictly regulates its content in express packaging materials.

summary

The release and implementation of GB 43352-2023 "Heavy Metals and Specific Substances in Express Packaging" will strictly limit the content of harmful substances in express packaging, which will help protect human health, reduce environmental pollution, and promote the green transformation and upgrading of the express packaging industry. The implementation of this standard marks an important step forward for China in the field of green packaging and has significant implications for promoting the development of green economy.

If you have more questions about the specific content or testing methods of the standard, please follow the relevant technical announcements or contact professional testing institutions.