Regulatory pressure on the use of optical brightening agents (OBAs), also known as fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs), in tissue paper is intensifying across major markets. Both the European Union and China have moved to tighten permissible limits, creating compliance challenges for manufacturers and import requirements for buyers.
Why OBAs Are Controversial
Optical brightening agents are chemical compounds added to paper during manufacturing to increase apparent whiteness under ultraviolet light. While they improve visual appeal, concerns have been raised about:
- Skin sensitisation: OBAs can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals, particularly relevant for facial tissue and intimate hygiene products.
- Food contact migration: Kitchen paper and food-service tissue that directly contact food can transfer OBA residues — a key safety concern flagged by food safety authorities.
- Environmental persistence: Certain OBA compounds are poorly biodegradable and have been detected in wastewater from paper mill effluents.
Current Regulatory Position
Under EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on food contact materials, OBA use in paper intended for food contact is subject to migration limits. The EU's CEPI guidelines recommend complete OBA-free formulations for kitchen paper and disposable food-service tissue. In China, the revised GB/T 20810-2018 standard for toilet paper sets a maximum fluorescence area limit detectable under UV testing.
What This Means for Buyers
For importers and private-label buyers, OBA-free status is increasingly a baseline specification rather than a premium claim. Key compliance steps include:
- Requesting UV fluorescence test reports (GB/T 10739 or equivalent) from suppliers
- Including OBA-free requirements in purchase contracts and product specifications
- Conducting periodic batch testing for food-contact tissue categories
Reputable manufacturers now maintain OBA-free formulations as standard across all consumer tissue categories and can provide third-party test documentation on request.
