National Standards For Paper Cups

Effective June 1, the national standards for paper cups, issued by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) and the Standardization Administration of China (SAC), will be officially implemented. Disposable paper cups must meet the following requirements:
No printing within 15mm of the cup rim.
Previously, disposable paper cups were subject only to industry standards rather than national standards. This new national standard (GB/T 27590-2011) sets higher requirements for raw materials, additives, packaging, and printing to ensure consumer safety.
Of particular note is the introduction-for the first time-of requirements regarding print placement. The standard stipulates that printed patterns on the exterior must have clear outlines and uniform color without obvious blemishes; however, "printing is prohibited within 15mm of the cup rim and within 10mm of the cup bottom."
"The ban on printing near the rim is a measure to protect consumers," stated Dong Jinshi, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the International Food Packaging Association. He noted that there is currently no domestic concept of "food-grade ink," nor are there inks specifically approved for direct food contact. When drinking, lips touch the rim, creating a risk that ink from the printed pattern could be ingested-a particular concern given the health risks associated with benzene-based inks. Furthermore, when cups are stacked, printing on the bottom can easily transfer color to the inner wall of the cup below; hence the prohibition on printing at the bottom.
No intentional addition of fluorescent whitening agents.
Regarding raw materials, the national standard mandates that paper cups must be odorless and free from recycled materials to prevent the formation of toxic solvents. Additives used in raw materials must comply with established standards; substances not listed in GB 9685-such as fluorescent whitening agents, industrial paraffin, and industrial talc-are prohibited in the production and processing of paper cups.
Dong Jinshi explained that this means "even contaminated scrap material from the workshop floor cannot be used to produce the base paper for cups; all raw materials and additives must meet food-packaging grade requirements, and fluorescent whitening agents cannot be intentionally added." He also encouraged the use of eco-friendly, energy-efficient inks-such as water-based, UV-cured, and vegetable oil-based inks-in paper cup production. In addition, the standard specifies requirements for the rigidity and permeability of paper cups; neither the bottom nor the sides should leak or allow water seepage, and cups that are too soft fail to meet the standard. All packaging materials must provide adequate sealing and structural integrity, and the packaging itself must be dust-proof, moisture-proof, and mildew-resistant.