Cork, widely used in the food and beverage industry to seal containers (often bottles) and also commonly found in trays, placemats, fruit bowls and many other everyday household items, is being regulated concerning the materials used in manufacturing.
The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare (EDQM) has recently issued the first edition of its technical guide, ‘Cork Materials and Articles for Contact with Food – A technical guide for manufacturers and regulators’. This new technical guide on cork materials and articles for contact with foodstuffs was drafted with regulators, inspectors and business operators in mind, all to support them in ensuring consumer safety.
Food Contact Cork Materials Guideline: Scope & Definition
Cork, according to the EDQM’s latest guideline, is a protective layer of bark, which periodically can be harvested from the trunk and branches of the cork oak (Quercus suber L.), constituting the raw material for cork products (as defined by ISO 633:2019).
Cork applications covered include:
- Cork stoppers for wine & spirits containers
- Kitchen placemats and trays
- Lids for honey/ jam containers
Exemptions:
- Bar top cork stoppers made of a different material such as glass, metal, wood or plastic
- Organic or inorganic coatings, paraffin waxes or silicones on the surface of cork materials and articles
This article is originally published by SGS. For more details, please visit SGS TIC Mall.
SGS is the world’s leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company. Our brand promise – when you need to be sure – underscores our commitment to trust, integrity and reliability.
To source quality products with the highest possible safety standards, be sure to look for a trusted platform such as hktdc.com Sourcing!
Click the following banner to explore various product categories:
Cork Safety FAQ
Why is this technical guideline for cork materials important?
It provides a technical framework to evaluate the safety of cork in food contact, supporting harmonized compliance assessments across the European market and beyond.
Which industries will find this relevant?
- Wine and beverage industry (cork stoppers)
- Packaging manufacturers
- Food contact material producers
- Regulatory and compliance professionals
How does the EDQM guideline benefit businesses?
The guideline helps companies:
- Ensure compliance with European safety standards
- Reduce market entry barriers
- Demonstrate product safety and quality to regulators and customers
