New National Standard to Take Effect May 1, 2026! Packaging for Fresh Edible Agricultural Products Should Prioritize Easily Recyclable and Biodegradable Materials and Products
Recently, the State Administration for Market Regulation (National Standardization Management Committee) issued Announcement No. 29 of 2025, approving the release of 758 recommended national standards, including GB/T 46685-2025 "Technical Guidelines for Packaging of Fresh Edible Agricultural Products," and 6 amendments to recommended national standards. This standard, drafted under the leadership of the Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Center of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, will take effect on May 1, 2026.
On November 3, the Standards and Technology Department of the State Administration for Market Regulation released interpretive materials for the national standard "Technical Guidelines for Packaging of Fresh Edible Agricultural Products."
I. Standard Number and Standard Name
GB/T 46685-2025 Technical Guidelines for Packaging of Fresh Edible Agricultural Products
II. Background of Standard Development
To guide producers and operators of fresh edible agricultural products in selecting appropriate materials for packaging, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs proposed and the National Standardization Management Committee issued the national standard development plan for the "Technical Guidelines for Packaging of Fresh Edible Agricultural Products." This standard is a supporting standard to the mandatory national standard GB 43284-2023 "Requirements for Restricting Excessive Packaging of Commodities - Fresh Edible Agricultural Products."
III. Main Contents of the Standard
(I) Scope of Application This standard proposes the general principles and factors to be considered for the packaging of fresh edible agricultural products such as vegetables (including edible fungi), fruits, livestock and poultry meat, aquatic products, and eggs, which are required to be packaged according to regulations.
(II) General Principles for Packaging of Fresh Edible Agricultural Products. First, it should be conducive to protecting fresh edible agricultural products and reducing losses; second, it should save resources and reasonably control costs; third, it should be easy to identify and guide consumption; fourth, it should prioritize the selection of easily recyclable and degradable materials and products.
(III) Factors to be Considered for Packaging of Fresh Edible Agricultural Products The factors to consider when packaging fresh edible agricultural products are divided into general principles and specific factors for different types of fresh edible agricultural products.
The general principles, to prevent bumps and crushes and ensure the safety of fresh edible agricultural products, propose designing and selecting appropriate packaging methods, containers, and specifications based on sales needs, using upright, horizontal, or other arrangement methods. Packaging must be carried out under safe and hygienic conditions, taking into account the needs of storage, transportation, sales, carrying, opening, disposal, and ensuring personal safety.
The specific factors for different types of fresh edible agricultural products outline their unique requirements for vegetables (including edible fungi), fruits, livestock and poultry meat, aquatic products, and eggs. These requirements mainly include protection against bumps, crushes, and moisture, reducing contamination by spoilage bacteria, and preventing discoloration. Based on the specific needs of the agricultural products, suitable packaging materials and containers with appropriate strength, barrier properties, temperature resistance, processability, and sealing properties should be selected. Various packaging aids should also be appropriately selected, such as foam netting and partitions for cushioning, ice packs for preservation, and binding ropes for securing the product, to achieve the best comprehensive protective effect.
IV. Significance of Standard Implementation
The implementation of this standard will help agricultural producers and operators effectively reduce losses and spoilage of fresh agricultural products during storage and transportation by promoting the application of scientific and appropriate packaging. This will ensure the quality and safety of agricultural products, improve their quality and grade, reduce costs and increase efficiency, and enhance market competitiveness. Simultaneously, it will guide the upgrading of the agricultural industry, promote green and sustainable development, and protect consumer rights while reducing the waste of social resources.
