The Moroccan Center for Plastics and Rubber Technology has just reached a major milestone. After a rigorous year-long evaluation, the organization has been officially certified under the “NM – Food Use” standard by the Moroccan Institute for Standardization. The announcement came during a joint press conference in Casablanca on November 20, marking a significant step forward for the food-grade plastics sector in Morocco.
This newly awarded certification confirms that plastics intended for food contact meet the country’s strict health and safety standards. The label, introduced under IMANOR’s new delegation system, assures that the certified materials are free from harmful substances and are manufactured under processes that adhere to strict quality controls. In the world of food packaging, where the container can be just as critical as the contents, this seal of approval is especially vital.
For the Center, known as CTPC, the recognition isn’t just a stamp of quality—it’s the culmination of years of strategic positioning in the industrial oversight landscape. Accredited by the Ministry of Industry since 2009 for overseeing industrial goods, CTPC gained another key designation in 2018 when the country’s food safety authority, ONSSA, recognized it as the first Moroccan lab qualified to test food packaging. The lab is also accredited to international standards, including ISO/IEC 17025, by both SEMAC and the French accreditation body COFRAC—an endorsement of its technical expertise on a global scale.
CTPC Director Nasserdine Al Anssari described the certification as a major driver for growth in Morocco’s food-grade plastics sector. He emphasized that the achievement reflects a broader trust in Moroccan technical know-how. To meet IMANOR’s criteria, the Center had to overhaul and align its procedures with new regulations, reinforce its capabilities, and implement internationally recognized governance practices.
IMANOR Director General Abderrahim Taïbi welcomed the certification as the result of a deeply collaborative and strategic technical partnership. He highlighted how standardization plays a key role in safeguarding consumers, boosting industrial competitiveness, and opening doors to international markets. He also pointed out the often-overlooked significance of choosing the right packaging materials—especially as demands for traceability and food safety become more intense across the globe.
