UPM Raflatac gains ISO 22000 food safety certification for factories in Finland, the UK and Poland

UPM Raflatac has been awarded ISO 22000:2005 food safety certification for factories in Finland (Tampere), the UK (Scarborough) and Poland (Wroclaw and Nowa Wies). The ISO 22000 certification includes the manufacture and slitting of self-adhesive label stock for food contact and food packaging used by the printing and converting industry. The self-adhesives manufacturer is one of the first in the label stock industry to achieve this certification. The certificates were awarded by LRQA (Lloyds Register Quality Assurance).

Particularly in Europe, laws and decrees lay down precise requirements for the entire food chain. According to European food packaging legislation, food contact materials for use in the food chain can only be provided by companies who comply with EU Good Manufacturing Practice Regulation (EC/2023/2006). GMP applies to both the food itself and its packaging, of which the label is an integral part.

“UPM Raflatac supplies self-adhesive label stock for food packaging, among other industries, and this certification demonstrates to our customers that the processes related to food safety at our factories are in good order and meet GMP requirements. With ISO 22000, we are at the forefront of manufacturing safe and high quality label materials for food industry,” says Quality Development Director for UPM Raflatac, Vesa Laaksonen.

Food packaging materials must contain carefully selected raw materials of which safety and compliance is proven. In addition, it is essential to ensure that manufacturing of these packaging materials does not cause any chemical, physical or biological contamination to the food product. UPM Raflatac’s factories are assessed by LRQA annually to ensure continued development and that the requirement of ISO 22000 are being implemented. The food safety certification is valid for a period of three years.