What Certifications are Needed for Food Packaging

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulates food contact materials under 21 CFR Parts 170-199, treating plastics as indirect food additives. For thin-wall PP packaging produced on HWAMDA SPV5 machines, the primary regulation is 21 CFR 177.1520, which governs olefin polymers including polypropylene. Compliance requires that the PP resin used carries an FDA-compliant certificate of analysis, specifying extractables below 0.02 mg/dm2 for aqueous food contact and overall migration limits appropriate for the intended food type. Manufacturers must maintain documentation showing that melt temperatures during processing stayed within 200-260 degrees Celsius to prevent thermal degradation that could release non-compliant substances. The INOVA controller on SPV5 machines logs barrel zone temperatures across all 6 heating zones at 0.5-second intervals, providing the detailed audit trail that FDA inspectors require during facility inspections. Additionally, any colorants, release agents, lubricants, or additives incorporated into the PP formulation must have separate FDA clearance documented in the master file. For hot-fill applications at temperatures above 85 degrees Celsius, additional migration testing per FDA guidelines is required, using food simulants that represent worst-case contact conditions for the specific food product being packaged.

ISO 22000:2018 is the international standard for food safety management systems, increasingly applied to food contact material manufacturers alongside traditional food production companies. While originally designed for food producers, packaging converters using HWAMDA SPV5 machines can implement ISO 22000 to demonstrate systematic hazard control throughout their entire production process from raw material receipt through finished goods shipment. Key requirements include HACCP-based hazard analysis covering biological contamination from mold cooling water systems, chemical contamination from hydraulic oil leaks or release agent residues, and physical contamination from metal fragments or foreign particles. The SPV5 servo-hydraulic system uses food-grade hydraulic oil separated from the mold area by multiple seals and containment systems, substantially reducing contamination risk compared to older hydraulic machine designs. Critical control points in thin-wall production include material drying at 80-90 degrees Celsius for 2-4 hours, barrel temperature monitoring across 6 zones with alarms for deviation, and post-mold part handling via SWITEK side-entry robots that minimize human contact with finished products. Certification requires annual surveillance audits by an accredited certification body and typically takes 6-12 months to achieve for a new facility starting from scratch.

The BRC Packaging standard, now in its 7th edition, is widely recognized by European and global retailers as a prerequisite for packaging suppliers seeking to serve major brand owners. Achieving BRC certification demonstrates that a facility meets rigorous retailer requirements for production hygiene, process control, and quality management systems. For thin-wall injection molding operations running HWAMDA SPV5 machines, BRC assessment covers factory environment standards including positive air pressure differentials in production areas, comprehensive pest control measures, segregated and controlled raw material storage, and defined clean and contamination zones. Process control requirements align well with SPV5 capabilities: the INOVA controller records all critical parameters including injection speed of 368-560 mm/s, holding pressure profiles across multiple stages, cooling time optimization, and cycle time of 3-7 seconds with repeatability documentation. BRC also requires full traceability from raw material lot numbers through to finished goods shipments, which can be implemented through the controller data logging function combined with a barcode or RFID scanning system on the production line. Most packaging converters targeting European retail customers aim for BRC Grade A certification, which requires participation in an unannounced audit program demonstrating continuous compliance readiness.

A practical certification strategy for a new thin-wall packaging facility with HWAMDA SPV5 machines should prioritize certifications based on target markets. Start with your domestic market compliance, which in China means GB 4806 series testing for each product and material combination, typically taking 4-6 weeks per product through an accredited laboratory. Simultaneously begin implementing ISO 22000 or FSSC 22000, which takes 6-12 months and provides the management system framework that supports all other certifications. For FDA compliance, work with your PP resin supplier to obtain Letters of Compliance confirming 21 CFR 177.1520 conformity, then conduct independent migration testing through an FDA-recognized laboratory. EU market entry requires engaging a European testing laboratory for Regulation 10/2011 testing, budgeting approximately 2,000-5,000 USD per product per food simulant combination. BRC certification should be pursued once the ISO management system is mature, typically in year two of operation. Throughout this process, leverage the INOVA controller data logging on your SPV5 machines to build the process validation records that all certifications require.