text: The Malaysian Food Regulations of 1985 do not prescribe substances that may or may not be used in food packaging (i.e., a "positive" or "negative" list). Thus, provided the above standards are met with respect to vinyl chloride monomer content in polyvinyl chloride packaging, and the packaging is considered safe and suitable for the intended use, the packaging may be considered safe under Malaysian law.
  In Singapore, the manufacture, import, and sale of food products—including food packaging materials—is governed by the Sale of Food Act, 1973 (revised in 2002) and its implementing regulations. Two of these regulations—Food Regulations and Sale of Food (Food Establishments) Regulations—specifically address food packaging. Part III, No. 37 of the Food Regulations ("Containers for food") prohibits the use of any appliance, container or vessel that is intended for use in storing, preparing or cooking food if it contains or is capable of imparting lead, antimony, arsenic, cadmium or any other toxic substance. This includes a ban on products containing 0.05 ppm vinyl chloride monomer, as well as products known to be carcinogenic, mutagenic, or poisonous.
  The Sale of Food (Food Establishments) Regulations require food processing establishments to be licensed. These regulations also mandate licensees to ensure that food is packed with food packaging materials that are fit for their intended use and "not likely to contaminate the food."[8]
  The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is the statutory body in Singapore responsible for enforcing the Sale of Food Act (Chapter 283) and its implementing regulations. The Food Control Division of AVA has indicated that pre-market approval is not required for the import and sale of food packaging materials, and that these materials may be used without Division objection if they do not impart harmful substances to the food. Nonetheless, the Division has suggested that manufacturers and importers of food packaging materials conduct safety assessments of their products to ensure they are safe for their intended uses, and that international standards—including those established by the U.S. FDA—may be used to support these assessments.
  Vietnam's Food Safety Law (No. 55/2010/QH12) became effective July 1, 2011. The legislation replaced the Ordinance on Food Hygiene and Safety. Article 18 of the Food Safety Law specifies that food packages must be made of safe materials that do not release poisonous substances, or impart off odors or flavors into the food. Food-contact materials also are required to conform to relevant technical regulations, including the Ministry of Health's regulations on food packages and containers. Finally, a conformity declaration for food packages and containers must be registered with competent state agencies prior to marketing.
  On April 25, 2012, Decree No. 38/2012/ND/CP concerning implementation of some articles of the Food Safety Law was signed by the Prime Minister. These articles include the following: 1) Declaration of Conformity to Technical Regulations or Food Safety Regulations; 2) Safety requirements for genetically modified foods; 3) Granting and withdrawing food safety certificates for establishments that meet food safety requirements; 4) State inspection on food safety for imported and exported foods; 5) Labeling of food products; and 6) Delegation of responsibilities for state management of food safety to the relevant Ministries, including Health (MOH), Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), and Industry and Trade (MOIT). These ministries are currently developing Circulars and Technical Regulations to enforce sections of Decree No. 38/2012/ND/CP.
  Among the National Technical Regulations impacting food packaging materials are: QCVN 12-1:2011/BYT, "Safety and hygiene for synthetic resin implement, container and packaging in direct contact with foods;" QCVN 12-2:2011/BYT, "Safety and hygiene for rubber implements, container and packaging in direct contact with foods;" and QCVN 12-3:2011/BYT, "Safety and hygiene for metallic containers in direct contact with foods." On April 22, 2013, Vietnam issued draft Technical Regulation G/SPS/N/VNM 44 on requirements governing the quality hygiene, and safety of glass, porcelain or enameled implements, containers, and packaging in direct contact with food.
  Food packaging materials in Hong Kong are subject to the Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance, which prohibits the migration of packaging components that may render food injurious to health. The Public Health and Municipal Services Ordinance (Cap. 132) and its subsidiary legislation established the legal framework for food safety control in Hong Kong and has remained in effect even after the transfer of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China. Therefore, food packaging materials imported into Hong Kong are currently not required to comply with the Chinese Standards. The Centre for Food Safety, which is responsible for implementing policies on food safety control, recommends that imported food be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the relevant health authority of the country of origin, certifying that the food product is fit for human consumption. For packaging materials, a determination of safety and suitability for its intended purpose in the U.S. or another country is a sufficient basis to assert safety for use in Hong Kong.
  [3] MFDS was previously known as the Korean Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). KFDA was elevated to the ministerial level and renamed in March 2013.