On 3 May 2022, the France has approved and published the Order of 13 April 2022 (Arrêté du 13 avril 2022), specifying the substances contained in mineral oils prohibited for use on packaging and for printed matter distributed to the public. The order shall enter into force on 1 January 2023.

The order is intended to reduce mineral oils containing substances in packaging and in printed matter distributed to the public, which disrupt the recycling of waste or limit the use of recycled materials because of the risks they pose to human health.

“Mineral oils” (“huiles minerales”) means oils produced from feedstocks derived from petroleum hydrocarbons used in the manufacture of inks.

Prohibited substances and their limits
(1) Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) consisting of 1 to 7 aromatic cycles: 1% (10000 ppm) in the ink from 1 January 2023, 0.1% (1000 ppm) in the ink from 1 January 2025;
(2) Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) consisting of 3 to 7 aromatic cycles: 1 ppm (0.0001%) in the ink from 1 January 2025;
(3) Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbons (MOSH) consisting of 16 to 35 carbon atoms: 0.1% (1000 ppm) in the ink from 1 January 2025.

Transition period
(1) Packaging and printed matter of paper manufactured or imported before 1 January 2023 shall be granted a period of not more than 12 months from that date for the disposal of stocks;
(2) Packaging and printed matter of paper manufactured or imported before each of the deadlines and which comply with the provisions authorised before those deadlines shall be granted a period for the disposal of stocks of 12 months from those deadlines.

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