With a focus on food packaging, Siegwerk, suppliers of printing inks for packaging applications worldwide, has taken a further step in its global commitment to product safety. The launch of their new Ink Safety Portal and of a Transparency Label are further evidence to this commitment along the packaging value chain and the manufacture and marketing of safe inks.
Consumers are becoming increasingly critical of health-related aspects and personal well-being. This has been fostered by various packaging scandals in the past, specifically in terms of food safety. Siegwerk has been aware of the need for safe printing inks for packaging applications from the beginning and has made ink safety one of its guiding principles. Today, the company is a global leader in providing product safety guidance and has an expert team exclusively dedicated to this. Their product safety guidance includes global regulatory initiatives, brand owner requirements and safety and risk assessments targeting raw materials to end use applications. This is not only reflected in the company’s portfolio of safe printing inks, but also in the launch of the new Ink Safety Portal and the roll-out of the Transparency Label.
Safety Portal
Their new Ink Safety Portal (https://ink-safety-portal.siegwerk.com) is all about knowledge sharing. More specifically, the expert platform offers condensed knowledge on crucial Product Safety and Regulatory (PSR) topics with regard to printing ink ingredients, regulatory affairs, exposure assessments and safety evaluations.
This results in a diverse collection of the key elements relating to the subject of safe printing inks and safe food packaging. Siegwerk is thus bundling its expertise, making it available to customers and interested parties. The portal underlines their claim to stand apart from the competition through high-quality services in the field of product safety.
In addition to legal requirements, Siegwerk is devoted to full compliance with self-commitments at the association level, including the European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA). While these guidelines have a Europe-wide applicability, the company goes a step further by applying them globally. Finally, there are specific brand owner’s guidelines for printed packaging that Siegwerk needs to adhere to – efforts that are aimed at a highest possible product safety level.
A central element of the portal is to demonstrate how Siegwerk performs safety evaluations for individual ink ingredients – even down to trace levels and specific packaging applications. Various parameters have to be taken into consideration – intrinsic toxicological properties of the substance, migration behavior, surface/mass (packaging/food) ratio and even food consumption patterns. These types of safety evaluations are especially relevant for substances which are not in the scope of respective regulations, including NIAS (Non Intentionally Added Substances).
Transparency Label
In order to demonstrate Siegwerk’s commitment to product safety, the proprietary Transparency Label was developed. Transparency is applicable for all applications, whether food, ‘food-alike’ (pharma and personal care) or non-food. This includes continued guidance and support for customers on various levels, from individual advice on specific problems to broader trainings.
Above all, the label stands for a commitment to maximum transparency and shared responsibility by Siegwerk. It is based on the manufacture of safe inks according to Good Manufacturing Practices from thoroughly evaluated raw materials. “With our Transparency Label, we are demonstrating our global responsibility regarding product safety as well as regulatory and brand owner requirements. The label stands for our commitment to uncompromising proactive transparency and shared responsibility enabling our customers to print a safe and compliant product and making sure that we deliver what we promise,” summarizes Herbert Forker, CEO at Siegwerk.
Next to offering manufacturers of food packaging and labels a complete range of migration-optimized inks and varnishes for all printing processes, the company supports its customers with training courses on all matters of food safety and regulation. This is to ensure the safety of customers’ products. With a combination of best-in-class ink performance, high product safety and continuous support and guidance, Siegwerk helps its customers to meet their individual needs with cutting-edge solutions.
