China’s GB 23350-2021 Amendment Tightens Mooncake and Zongzi Packaging Rules to Three Layers
At a May 26 briefing, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (Standardization Administration) detailed the recently approved No. 1 Amendment to GB 23350-2021, the national standard titled Requirements to Restrict Excessive Packaging of Commodities — Food and Cosmetics. The revision is designed to encourage green production and consumption and to support high-quality development in the mooncake and zongzi industries.
The amendment introduces four main changes:
- Tighter limits on packaging layers.
Mooncakes and zongzi will be allowed no more than three packaging layers, down from the previous maximum of four.
- Further reduction of packaging voids.
The necessary space coefficient is a key measure of packaging voids and indicates how compact a package is; a lower figure means less empty space. Under the amendment, the coefficient for mooncakes falls from 12 to 7, equivalent to a 42% cut in packaging volume, while the coefficient for zongzi falls from 12 to 5, equivalent to a 58% cut.
- Lower packaging cost ratios.
For mooncakes and zongzi priced above 100 yuan, the share of packaging cost in the sales price drops from 20% to 15%; for those priced below 100 yuan, the share remains at 20%. Packaging materials are also required not to contain precious metals or mahogany.
- Stricter rules on mixed packing.
The amendment states that mooncakes must not be packed with other products, and zongzi must not be packed with other products that are priced higher than the zongzi themselves.
The amendment takes effect on August 15, 2022.
(Source: People’s Daily)
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