GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)Area of applicationThe regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 defines GMP for food-contact materials and articles that arebased on the appendix to the regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004. Both materials and articles arerequired to fulfill the compliance.ImplicationProducers of packaging materials have to implement a quality management and control system.They also have to implement a documentation system to monitor their production, to be madeavailable upon demand of the authority.Quality management systemThe communication in the supply chain is key to fulfilling the requirements of a qualitymanagement system.Some important points of the quality control system:• The correct and evaluated materials are in use• The correct and evaluated inks are in use• The process is qualified and validated (pretreatment, printing, pinning, cure delay, curing)• Skilled employees are running the processesThe supplier has to install an effective and documented quality control system and has to followits application. The quality control system has to be in line with the customer’s needs.Who is affected by GMPEvery company in the supply chain is affected by the quality management and control system(GMP). All production processes have to be in line with GMP.Each supplier can take responsibility for its process only:Packaging supplier - inks are optimized for the specified applicationInk supplier - inks are optimized for the specified applicationPrinter - the print process is qualified and validatedFiller of goods - qualified and validated packaging material is in useBrand owner - the finished goods are in line with the regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004