Ceram scores European tableware victory
EUROPE has agreed to re-think proposals that could have a serious effect on the UK tableware industry.
The decision was in no small part due to Stoke-on-Trent-based materials technology company Ceram which recently developed a technical programme to show that the European Commission’s theoretical approach to the issue was flawed.
The EC was planning to introduce regulations lowering the allowable levels of lead and cadmium that can be released into food from ceramic products as early as next year. It wanted to decrease permissible levels by 60 times for cadmium and 400 times for lead – limits that are impossible and unnecessary, according to the industry and scientists.
Ceram’s findings have been instrumental in persuading Europe to think again, potentially protecting UK jobs and manufacturers, with the implementation of new limits pushed back to 2016. Ceram will also be involved in a comprehensive research programme that the EC is setting up through the EURL (European Reference Laboratory).
Dr Richard White, head of testing at Ceram, said: “We decided to put together a technical programme to give the UK tableware industry sound scientific evidence on which it could base its opposition to the proposals.
“We conducted a study of ‘factory gate’ metal release values in acetic acid compared with ‘in service’ leaching into acetic acid and into actual foods under realistic contact conditions. The results showed that levels of lead at ‘factory gate’ can be five to ten times higher than those proposed by the EC, while still attaining the ‘in-service’ limit that the EC sees as an acceptable limit.”
Tony Kinsella, chief executive at Ceram, said: “This work is yet another example of how our team of materials experts applies science to the commercial world.
“We have worked with our clients and with the British Ceramic Confederation and we will continue to work with them, providing sound scientific evidence and technical analysis, to ensure that a satisfactory outcome is reached for all parties.”
