Answer given by Mr Borg on behalf of the Commission
17.3.2014
The Commission is well aware of the potential of nanocellulose as green, renewable material for many innovative applications. In Framework Programme 7 (FP7), seven research projects have been supported, with a total EU funding of about EUR 33 million, addressing cost efficient production of nanocellulose and its potential applications, including safety aspects. While the self-cleaning tableware application appears to have been developed within a Swedish project called Ekoportal 2035, commissioned by the Swedish Forest Industries Federation, the Swedish research and development company Innventia has benefited from EU funding in two FP7 projects aiming at the development of nanocellulose based sustainable composite materials[1] and smart and multifunctional packaging concepts utilising nanotechnology, including nanocellulose[2].
The water-repellent film has to comply with the general rules on materials intended to come into contact with food set out in Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004[3]. In particular, it should not release its constituents into food in concentrations that could endanger human health or change the composition of the food in an unacceptable way. Depending on the composition of the film and its ability to form a self-supporting layer it may fall under the scope of the Plastics Regulation (EU) No 10/2011[4] and its constituent would then need authorisation under that regulation.
- [1] (SUSTAINCOMP — 214660).
- [2] (NANOBARRIER — 280759).
- [3] Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and repealing Directives 80/590/EEC and 89/109/EEC, OJ L 338, 13.11.2004, p. 4.
- [4] Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 of 14 January 2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, OJ L 12, 15.1.2011, p.1.
OJ C 294, 02/09/2014