Can coatings in direct contact with food are designed to be safe and rigorously tested to ensure that they are.
They fall under the scope of the EU Framework Regulation 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.
Its Article 3 stipulates that these materials and articles shall be manufactured under good manufacturing practice in accordance with EU Regulation 2023/2006 and that they shall not endanger human health. Unlike plastics, there is no harmonised EU regulation that specifically regulates can coatings.
However, some EU Member States have national legislations that CEPE Members shall comply with. Furthermore, CEPE members conduct self-assessments as part of the entire supply chain, making reference to the CEPE Code of Practice that stipulates what substances can be used and under which conditions.
A dedicated group within CEPE deals with Can Coatings issues. It is also part of the supply chain group, which from time to time forms sub-groups to work on specific subjects. Typical activities relate to providing science-based guidelines for consumer safety and improving trust and transparency.