NAVIGATING INK REGULATIONS

The April 2025 edition of the European Printing Ink Association (EuPIA) Exclusion Policy announced several updates. These revisions will directly affect the formulation, approval and use of all ink types and substrates in the printing industry. Adding to an already challenging landscape, Swiss and German ordinances have each furthered the carcinogenic, mutagenic and reproductive toxin (CMR)-free requirements and migration limits. Collectively, they are redifining what raw materials can be used in printing inks.

As global regulations tighten around hazardous chemicals in food-contact packaging, ink manufacturers face a balancing act between safety, performance and sustainability. To unpack these industry shifts and their implications for ink technology, Specialist Printing Worldwide (SPW) sat down with Evan Benbow, Nazdar’s Chief Technology Officer. Benbow’s R&D team is at the forefront of reformulating inks to meet evolving European – and soon to be global – standards.

SPW: “Complying with these new standards seems to be a very hot topic right now. Many of these new changes are expected to be implemented by the end of 2025. How has navigating these changes affected your approach to your work?”

Evan Benbow (EB): “The new standards have shifted how our R&D team approaches formulation. In some respects, they have expanded our toolbox by allowing us to move beyond outdated ingredient lists. At the same time, we’ve had to let go of some trusted ‘workhorse’ materials that no longer meet current safety classifications.

“It has also meant prioritising materials that have been evaluated and approved as per the new standards. These approvals come from competent authorities. Within these are toxicologists who are constantly reviewing data to ensure that approved materials meet safety standards and not solely rely on historical precedent.”

SPW: “The German and Swiss adaptations to EuPIA regulations have called for even more specific ink formulations. How do you adjust your process to comply with these variations?”

EB: “The Swiss model is smart – it keeps a strict 10 parts per billion (ppb) migration limit for unevaluated materials while allowing higher migration for those already vetted. We can now explore new chemistries instead of being locked into an outdated positive list. 

“At the same time, any CMR material is off limits. That means rethinking our ingredient base – especially frequent workhorses that were recently reclassified – and investing in safer alternatives.”

SPW: “As a global ink manufacturer, what challenges arise when different countries maintain their own lists of approved materials?”

EB: “Switzerland and Germany align on CMR exclusions, but their approved-list differences create complexity. Germany’s food-packaging ordinance is similar but non-reciprocal. Right now, our formulators juggle multiple national lists, each with distinct toxicologist-driven assessments. It is challenging and hampers internal efficiency.” 

“Global customers want a single product they can use everywhere”

SPW: “With regional rules multiplying, do you foresee multiple formulations or one ‘universal’ ink?”

EB: “Global customers want a single product they can use everywhere. Inks are inherently international, so designing one formulation to satisfy Swiss, German and future EU standards is our goal. However, under-resourced supply chains for these novel, safer materials mean testing and certification – especially performance trials – become a bottleneck. Over time, as these alternatives scale, costs should normalise and a global-ink process will become more streamlined.”

SPW: “What’s more time-intensive – reformulating inks or validating them?”

EB: “Both are significant. Formulation demands fresh chemistries and new supplier relationships. Testing is equally arduous – migrating inks through substrates, evaluating print performance and securing customer sign-off. Our R&D team’s deep expertise helps, but every new material undergoes rigorous lab and field trials to avoid surprises in print quality or durability.”

SPW: “UV inks rely on photo-initiators. How have recent reclassifications affected your UV portfolios?”

EB: “Photo-initiators often face the highest migration risk and are among the most frequently reclassified substances. Switching to CMR-free photo-initiator packages has been a major adjustment. We must balance cure speed, ink stability and safety – all while meeting migration and workplace-exposure requirements. It’s challenging, but it yields greener, safer UV inks compatible with digital and analogue presses.”

SPW: “How do these regulatory shifts intersect with Nazdar’s sustainability goals?”

EB: “Sustainability isn’t just about renewable raw materials. It’s about protecting operators, consumers and the recycling stream. Eliminating CMR materials means recycled packaging won’t concentrate those hazards back into new substrates. That aligns with the circular economy. Plus, by phasing out toxic components, we enhance both workplace safety and end-user confidence in food-contact packaging.”

SPW: “Are similar CMR restrictions on the horizon in the US and Asia?”

EB: “In the US, the current formulation changes we are looking at don’t conflict with any regulation requirements. Meanwhile, China and other Asian markets are drafting their own food-packaging legislations. Generally, inks are global, so these rules trickle down into other markets besides the European Union. As a result, we see these as including the international markets we serve.”

SPW: “With so many moving parts, how is Nazdar positioned to deliver compliant inks?”

EB: “Our robust R&D group and experienced chemists give us an edge. We’ve updated legacy formulations and launched new CMR-free product lines. Though based in the US, we operate globally, with manufacturing sites in the UK and partners across Europe. This network ensures we can respond quickly to local requirements while maintaining global consistency.”

SPW: “What’s your closing advice for printers and brand owners navigating these regulations?”

EB: “Embrace the change as an opportunity to innovate. Prioritise evaluated materials, streamline your ink inventory and engage suppliers early in the reformulation process. If you’re a printer, test inks thoroughly under real-world conditions. Collaboration between ink makers, regulatory bodies and converters will shape a safer, more sustainable future for packaging.”

As regulations evolve, companies such as Nazdar are demonstrating that compliance and innovation can go hand-in-hand. By reimagining their chemical toolboxes, investing in safer photo-initiators and championing circularity, these companies are proving that environmental stewardship and high-performance printing need not be mutually exclusive.