Effective June 22, 2026, Thai Industrial Standards for food contact paper and cooking paper will become mandatory for products sold in Thailand. This regulatory change introduces compulsory product licensing and strengthens requirements for hygiene, labeling, and chemical safety. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and brand owners should assess product portfolios, supplier readiness, and compliance documentation to avoid disruption to market access.

The change reflects Thailand’s broader effort to strengthen consumer protection while supporting the transition from plastic-based materials to paper-based alternatives. As paper packaging becomes more widely used in food preparation, cooking, and packaging, regulators are placing greater emphasis on chemical migration risk, product traceability, and consistent safety standards. The key business implication is clear: sustainability claims must be supported by demonstrable food-contact safety and regulatory compliance.

Regulatory Framework and Compliance Impact

Under the Thai Industrial Standards regime, standards may be either voluntary or mandatory. Voluntary standards allow manufacturers and importers to apply for certification and use the TIS mark as a quality signal, but compliance is not a legal prerequisite for sale. Mandatory standards create a stricter obligation: products must obtain the required license and display the TIS mark before being placed on the Thai market. Products that do not comply cannot be legally manufactured, imported, or sold.

Food contact paper under TIS 2948-2562 and cooking paper under TIS 3438-2565 were previously applied on a voluntary basis. Their transition to mandatory status reflects increased regulatory concern over the rapid growth of paper-based food applications and the associated risk of chemical substances migrating into food. From the effective date, businesses must ensure that covered products are licensed before sale in Thailand. Failure to prepare may result in delayed imports, product withdrawal, sales restrictions, or reputational exposure.

Scope of Products Covered

The two standards apply to different product categories and impose different requirements on raw materials, product composition, and intended use. Businesses should classify affected products carefully to determine the applicable licensing and testing requirements.

  • Food contact paper: This standard applies to paper, paperboard, and uncolored paper containers intended for general food use and hot-filled food applications. Recycled pulp may be used only where it is not sourced from materials with high contamination risk. Any plastic component used with the paper product must comply with applicable requirements prescribed by the Thai Food and Drug Administration.
  • Cooking paper: This standard applies to paper, paperboard, and paper containers made from virgin pulp, either alone or combined with synthetic fibers, for applications such as filtering hot liquids, warming food, or cooking at temperatures not exceeding 220°C. Recycled pulp is not permitted for cooking paper under this standard.

Both product categories must be manufactured under appropriate hygiene and production controls. Companies should review supplier qualification, raw material traceability, production records, and test reports to confirm readiness before the mandatory regime takes effect.

Labeling, Chemical Safety, and Consumer Protection

Both standards require labels to clearly indicate the product’s suitability for different food applications. Labels must include either the prescribed food-contact safety symbol or the required safety statement. For cooking paper intended for microwave or conventional oven use, labels must also specify the applicable power level or temperature and the permitted duration of use. These requirements are intended to reduce misuse and improve consumer understanding at the point of use.

The standards also establish chemical safety controls for heavy metals, including lead, mercury, and cadmium, as well as hazardous substances used in production, such as optical brighteners and antimicrobial agents. These substances must remain within prescribed safety limits, and materials used in production must be suitable for food-contact applications. Businesses should treat testing, supplier declarations, and technical files as core compliance evidence rather than administrative documentation.

Business Implications

The mandatory standards create both compliance obligations and strategic opportunities. Businesses that act early can reduce supply disruption, demonstrate stronger product governance, and strengthen customer confidence in food-contact safety. Key risks include incomplete product classification, delayed license applications, insufficient supplier documentation, and non-compliant labeling. Key opportunities include improved quality assurance, stronger sustainability positioning, and clearer differentiation for compliant products in the Thai market.

Management should prioritize four actions: identify all affected products, confirm the applicable TIS standard, verify supplier and testing readiness, and prepare licensing and labeling updates before the enforcement date. Where products are sourced internationally, importers should also confirm whether overseas manufacturers can provide the required technical evidence and production controls.

Management Outlook

Thailand’s move to make these standards mandatory represents a material strengthening of food-contact material governance. The regulation is aligned with global sustainability trends but also reinforces that environmental objectives must be balanced with consumer safety. For affected businesses, the priority is to move from awareness to execution: complete product assessments, close documentation gaps, and secure licensing in time to maintain uninterrupted market access.