Mercosur Regulatory News

Mercosur, the Common Market of the South, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, is currently considering two significant draft technical standards that are expected to impact regula...

Mercosur, the Common Market of the South, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, is currently considering two significant draft technical standards that are expected to impact regulations across all member countries once adopted. These proposals are now open for consultation.

1. Mercosur Technical Regulation on Regenerated Cellulose Film Destined for Food Contact: This proposed regulation aims to replace the existing 1997 Mercosur Standard. The updated standard focuses on ensuring that regenerated cellulose films used for food contact meet modern safety and quality requirements. The revision is intended to align the regulation with current technological advancements and international best practices.

2. Revision to Mercosur Technical Regulation on Cellulose Food Contact Materials: This modification addresses the restrictions on diisopropylnaphthalene in cellulose materials that incorporate recycled fibers in their production. The goal is to enhance safety standards and ensure that materials used in food contact do not pose health risks to consumers.

Both draft standards have been submitted for comments to the World Trade Organization (WTO). Stakeholders are invited to provide their input on these proposed regulations, which reflect Mercosur's ongoing commitment to improving food safety and harmonizing standards with global benchmarks.

The trade bloc of South America (Mercosur) has released a preliminary regulatory proposal aimed at modernizing the roster of permissible additives for food contact materials. Should the proposal g...

The trade bloc of South America (Mercosur) has released a preliminary regulatory proposal aimed at modernizing the roster of permissible additives for food contact materials.

Should the proposal gain approval, it would result in an update to technical regulation No 02/12. The key addition would be the inclusion of tetramethyl bisphenol F diglycyl ether in the 'positive list' for food contact materials, which specifies authorized plastics and polymeric coatings.

Additionally, the proposal would impose restrictions on the use of polyamide-imide 2, confining it to being a binding agent exclusively for high-temperature resistant cookware.

For these changes to become legally binding in each of the Mercosur countries, namely Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, they would need to integrate this standard into their national legislations.

Interested parties are invited to submit their comments on the proposal by the 30th of October.

In a meeting held in May 19-20, 2021 (SGT 6), the Mercosur Environment Working Subgroup recommended advancing the regulatory framework within the bloc. The proposal includes the adoption of an updated...

In a meeting held in May 19-20, 2021 (SGT 6), the Mercosur Environment Working Subgroup recommended advancing the regulatory framework within the bloc. The proposal includes the adoption of an updated GHS version and a regulatory harmonization among countries, although a proper version was not defined.

Mercosur is composed of four countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Brazil and Uruguay adopted GHS 4th version, Argentina implemented the 5th, and Paraguay has to endorse the system.

In Latin America, the arrangement of chemical control (GHS, inventory, notification, and registration) is on the surge. Six countries (Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru, and Mexico) are developing their future national chemical legislation; meanwhile, Chile recently approved its regulation for the classification, labeling, and notification of hazardous chemicals and mixtures in February 2021.

The implementation of GHS is usually seen as one of the first steps for a country to enhance its chemical management system. The recently published Roadmap for the Rational Management of Industrial Chemical Substances and Products shows increased regional cooperation within countries in Latin America is on the way.

Last update: 2021-05-20