Plastics materials are generally inert and lend themselves to product safety critical situations such as food and pharma packaging, toys, medical devices and even medical implants.

The safety of plastics materials and products in the hands of users and consumers is of paramount importance to the British Plastics Federation and individual member companies. Regulation and legislation and constant media focus make product safety a vital area of the BPF's issues management programme. 

EU and UK regulation (e.g. REACH and Food Contact Legislation) and media coverage of plastics are monitored by the BPF's Product Safety Committee: REACH and Regulatory Issues.

The Committee focuses on the key issues surrounding:

• chemicals policy - REACH
• plastics in contact with foodstuffs
• plastics in medical applications
• plastics in potable water applications
• plastics in toy applications
• general product liability issues
• crisis management and media scares

Analysing the potential impact of REACH and how it will affect all levels of the plastics supply chain is the key focal area currently under discussion.

The Annual BPF REACH Seminar allows experts from industry and representatives from the the relevant government departments and customer industries to update users on the latest developments in Europe. For more information on the next seminar in this highly successful series, click here.

Through BPF Activity, lobbying and participation in BSI and CEN committees formulation of standards surrounding the safe usage of plastics are ensured.