You are speaking about The German Printing Ink Ordinance at this year's conference. Can you give us a snapshot of what delegates will hear?

As a fairly new addition to the German legislation system, I'll speak about the development of the Printing Ink Ordinance in Germany and then provide an overview of what it states and how applicants can prepare and submit a dossier to the BfR for evaluation to request addition of new substances to the Ordinance. I'll also explain the recent changes to the Swiss Printing Ink Ordinance.

Why does this theme continue to be so topical?

In the continued absence of harmonised legislation for printing inks at the EU level, manufacturers look to National legislation like this, and the previously established Swiss Ordinance, to demonstrate compliance with Article 3 of the Framework Regulation.

What do you see as the major challenges, and breakthroughs, in FCM for European jurisdictions in 2023?

As the evaluation of the general food contact rules at the European Commission continues into 2023, it will be very interesting to keep a watch on the proposed changes and how these will potentially impact all sectors of the food contact industry, which I'm sure they will. It's worth adding that there is currently a public consultation open until 11th January 2023 on the evaluation exercise and so any and interested parties should head to the Commission website to give their views on the suggested revisions.

What are you most looking forward to hearing about and discussing with the delegates at this year's conference?

I'm really looking forward to meeting people at an in person event for the first time in 3 years. This will be my first in-person food contact conference since the pandemic and I am looking forward to catching up with everyone and meeting new friends too!