The regulatory landscape for packaging printing in Europe is moving toward a decisive date: January 1, 2027. This day marks the end of the transition period for the full application of the German Ink Ordinance (GIO), the standard that redefines chemical safety between the print and the food. At MA Inks, we analyze the pillars of this regulation so that converters and printers can adapt their workflows with the right solutions before compliance.
The core of the GIO: What exactly does it regulate?
The primary objective of the German Ink Ordinance is to mitigate the risks of chemical substance transfer from the ink layer to the food product. This transfer, known as migration, can occur even if there is no direct contact, affecting the organoleptic integrity and toxicological safety of the food. Unlike previous, more general frameworks, the GIO introduces extremely precise criteria that affect formulation and application:
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Positive List of Substances: The standard establishes an exhaustive list of permitted substances (monomers, additives, photoinitiators) that have been evaluated by scientific bodies. Substances not listed are subject to strict detection limits.
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Specific Migration Limits: Restrictions and transfer limits are established to ensure that ink components do not exceed the established safety thresholds.
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Chain Traceability: It requires every link, from the raw material supplier to the printer, to guarantee that the components used comply with the safety profiles established in the ordinance.
A transversal standard for the offset ink sector
Although the GIO has a national legal scope in Germany, its influence is de facto European. The absence of specific, harmonized legislation for printing inks at the European Union level has made this ordinance the reference standard for any company aspiring to excellence in food safety.
As an offset ink manufacturer with an international presence, at MA Inks we integrated these requirements into our development protocols long before the deadline. For us, the technical challenge is not just to comply with the law, but to ensure that new-generation offset inks maintain the performance the workshop demands. This involves achieving a critical balance: eliminating restricted substances without sacrificing gloss, duct stability, or drying speed.
Delimitation of responsibilities: The role of the converter
An aspect that generates frequent doubts in the graphic industry is the distribution of the legal burden. Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 establishes that final responsibility for a package being safe lies with the operator who places it on the market (the packer or the brand). However, the printer and the converter are fundamental pieces in this declaration of conformity.
According to the GIO, the success of packaging does not depend on an isolated component, but on an integrated manufacturing system. For this reason, the MA Inks technical department recommends that our customers follow a rigorous validation methodology:
- Evaluation of the structure: Not all supports act the same. A board with a functional barrier allows for different formulations than a porous paper. The combination of support, ink, and varnish must always be evaluated.
- Intended use conditions: Migration risk changes radically if the package will be subjected to freezing, microwave processes, or prolonged storage at room temperature.
- Migration testing: When an absolute functional barrier does not exist (such as glass or thick aluminum), it is imperative to perform migration tests in accredited laboratories on the final finished package to validate the complete printing process.
Technical support and documentary transparency
Compliance with the GIO is not limited to machine performance; it is demonstrated through traceability. Documentary transparency is the pillar that allows the converter to operate with legal certainty during audits by major food brands.
At MA Inks, our work as an offset ink manufacturer includes providing detailed Declarations of Conformity (DoC). These documents are not simple quality certificates, but technical reports detailing compliance with positive lists and applicable specific migration limits (SML).
Our commitment is to facilitate this technical transition, providing not only the right product but the necessary knowledge so that the supply chain is robust and reliable.
Conclusion: Preparation vs. Improvisation
The German Ink Ordinance represents the immediate future of graphic arts applied to consumption. Those companies that start their transition to compliant processes and materials today will not only be fulfilling a future legal obligation, but will be positioning their offering in the highest value-added and safest segment of the global market.
At MA Inks, we continue to innovate in the chemistry of our offset inks so that food safety is an invisible but absolute technical guarantee on every printed sheet.
Do you wish to start the transition to GIO standards in your production? We invite you to contact our sales department. Our team will advise you on the available product ranges and the documentary support we can offer you to ensure the compliance of your food packaging.
