Flint Group has successfully confirmed the composition of its European printing ink and varnish portfolio for food contact materials in accordance with the requirements of the German Ink Ordinance (GIO). The company is thus underlining its preparation for the full implementation of the regulation on 1 January 2026.
According to the company, the compliant portfolio includes products for flexible packaging, paper and board, narrow web applications and sheet-fed offset. This is Flint Group's response to the requirements of the 21st Ordinance amending the Consumer Goods Ordinance, which in future will define detailed requirements for printing inks in contact with food.
„Our mission has always been to stay ahead of regulatory developments, not just react to them,“ said Paul Winstanley, VP Technology & Product Management at Flint Group. The chemical and regulatory teams have worked closely together „to verify and confirm that our inks and coatings meet the most stringent packaging safety standards“. The aim is to ensure that food packaging remains unaffected by the use of the products and that innovation remains possible at the same time.
Implementation of the GIO and impact on the industry
The GIO obliges manufacturers of printing inks to fulfil clear specifications for all food contact applications: for printing on the contact side surface as well as for non-contact side printing, which can nevertheless come into direct contact. It will come into full force on 1 January 2026.
Flint Group confirms that the European product ranges are compositionally compliant for use on the non-food contact surface of food packaging, labels and other packaging materials.
Responsibility of distributors remains
The company would like to point out that, in accordance with EU and GIO regulations, the final assessment of the packaging for the intended use must be carried out by the distributor. Although the raw materials used fulfil the GIO composition requirements, additional migration tests may still be necessary depending on the structure.
Source: Flint
