What is DM 21/3/73 Italian Compliance?

Introduction to DM 21/3/73 (Italian Food Grade):

The Italian regulation applicable to food contact materials is the Italian Decree No. 777 of 1982. This decree encompasses the Ministerial Decree (DM) 21/3/73 and its subsequent updates, serving as the statutory requirements for food contact materials.

Structure of Italian Food Grade Regulations:

Italian Decree No. 777 of 1982 (The Decree)

To demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Decree, various Ministerial Decrees provide the statutory technical specifications:

• Ministerial Decree 21/3/1973

• Ministerial Decree 4/4/1985

• Ministerial Decree 18/4/2007

• Etc.

Materials Covered by Italian Food Grade and Specific Regulations:

Additional National Requirements

The Italian food grade requirements for plastic materials are consistent with the requirements of the EU Directive 2002/72/EC. In addition, the decree contains specific national requirements. For example, materials such as rubber, silicone, glass, and stainless steel fall outside the scope of specific EU regulations, yet Italian legislation establishes concrete requirements for them.

Italy has established a list of approved stainless steel materials: Only stainless steel materials included in this official list may be used for food contact purposes. Furthermore, the material must meet strict purity standards and pass food contact testing to fully comply with the requirements specified in DM 21/3/73.