CEPI issues paper and board good manufacturing practice guide

The leading trade body said the guidance, last published in 2002, had been completely rewritten and included a number of new methodologies and concepts. The guidelines covered paper and board FCMs ranging from frozen food cartons to corrugated fruit and vegetable boxes.

“It is focused on risk assessment, ensures appropriate controls throughout the process, and integrates quality aspects relevant to food packaging into existing quality management system at the paper mills",​ said a CEPI statement.

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Main​ features of the guide​

The GMP covers the entire production process up until the start of converting operations and includes preventive measures based on the intended use of the end product, said the industry association.

The guide is split into two parts. The first is a description of the basic requirements of the GMP Regulation and how they are to be interpreted in the context of paper production. There is also a list of detailed actions which interpret these requirements for adoption by the paper industry in order to comply with the GMP Regulation. The guide assumes operators have the ISO 9001 quality management system or equivalent in place.

Jori Ringman-Beck, CEPI Recycling and Product Director, described GMP as essential and called on industry players to provide feedback to allow for revision of the document by the end of 2011.

“The GMP adds to the paper industry’s responsible, pro-active and innovative work to ensure consumer safety.”​ he added. “Together with the Industry Guideline that the industry published earlier this year they form a solid base for manufacturing of safe products for food packaging.”​

GMP regulation​

Under Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, all FCMs must be produced in accordance with GMP principles – which are laid out in Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006. Because the GMP Regulation applies to all types of FCMs, each manufacturing sector needs specific guidance. The CEPI document provides this advice for the paper and board manufacturing industry.

Click HERE to read a copy of the GMP guidance