The new regulation GB 4806.16-2025 for fluorosilicone rubber used in food contact strengthens the safety defense line

The new version of the "GB 4806.16-2025 National Food Safety Standard - Silicone Rubber Materials and Products for Food Contact" issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation will be officially implemented on September 2, 2026. This standard for the first time lists fluorosilicone rubber and other silicone rubber materials as exclusive controlled categories. Through strict raw material limits and the addition of volatile matter indicators and other revisions, Comprehensively raise the safety threshold for fluorosilicone rubber products used in food contact to safeguard consumers' health.

1.The core of the new regulation: Exclusive control + upgraded indicators to precisely strengthen the safety bottom line
Compared with the old version of the standard in 2015, the new national standard has achieved three key upgrades. Firstly, the management model is more precise. Silicone rubber materials such as fluorosilicone rubber are separated from the general rubber category and managed separately to avoid regulatory loopholes caused by mixed management. Secondly, the safety indicators have become stricter. The testing time for key indicators such as potassium permanganate consumption and heavy metals has been extended. At the same time, the migration limit values of eight types of heavy metals including lead, cadmium and arsenic have been refined. In particular, the control requirements for heavy metals in infant and toddler products have been strengthened. Thirdly, the testing system is more scientific, the testing conditions are simplified, the special simulation regulations for the original oil products are deleted, and vegetable oil is uniformly used as the testing raw material to enhance the consistency and comparability of the test results.

2. Intensified control over raw materials: Clearly define the scope of polymers and prohibit the use of toxic additives
The new version of the standard clearly stipulates the raw material usage of fluorosilicone rubber for food contact, requiring that the base polymers can only use food contact permitted categories such as methyl vinyl silicone rubber and fluorosilicone rubber, and strictly prohibit the use of polymers containing chlorine, benzo (a) pyrene and other toxic organosilicon compounds. In terms of additive usage, the new regulations comprehensively ban phthalate plasticizers, restrict the use of heavy metal stabilizers, and only allow the addition of food-grade silica and other additives that comply with the GB 9685 standard. It is worth noting that the list of basic raw materials allowed for use has been expanded by two new types, bringing the total to 21, which not only ensures safety but also leaves sufficient space for industry innovation.


3. The addition of volatile limit values addresses the safety pain points in the industry
One of the highlights of this revision is the first addition of total control requirements for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), clearly stipulating that the total amount of volatile organic compounds in fluorosilicone rubber products shall not exceed 0.5%, and at the same time, separate limits are set for specific volatile substances such as benzene and toluene. According to industry experts, traditional fluorosilicone rubber products may release volatile substances in high-temperature usage scenarios, affecting food safety. The new regulations, through precise index control, can effectively address this industry pain point. Data from third-party testing institutions show that currently about 30% of low-end products on the market fail to meet the new volatile matter limit requirements, and the industry is about to undergo a new round of reshuffling.

4. The industry actively responded and promoted the upgrading and transformation of its products
In response to the requirements of the new regulations, industry enterprises have initiated technological upgrading work. Many enterprises have reduced the content of volatile substances in their products by optimizing formula design and improving production processes. At the same time, they have strengthened the traceability management of raw materials to ensure compliance throughout the entire chain. Industry associations simultaneously carry out standard interpretation training to help enterprises accurately grasp the key points of the revision. Industry insiders say that after the implementation of the new regulations, it will accelerate the elimination of backward production capacity, promote the transformation of fluorosilicone rubber products for food contact towards high-end and safety, and also enhance the export compliance of domestic products, helping to align with international market standards such as those of the European Union and the United States.