Mark Thompson counsels companies and trade associations on global compliance requirements applicable to finished foods, food additives, food packaging materials, cosmetics, industrial chemicals, and associated labeling in Asia, the United States (U.S.), and the European Union (EU). He also advises clients on the regulation of drugs and genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Asia. 

Mark began his career at Keller and Heckman in the Washington, DC office. From 2009 through 2016, he was based in the firm’s Shanghai Representative office, where he gained extensive experience and perspective on the regulatory scheme in China and throughout Asia. During that time, he assisted foreign and domestic companies in evaluating and securing new clearances for products in China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and other Asian countries.  

Mark is the co-host of Food & Chemicals Unpacked, Keller and Heckman’s podcast regarding the legal and scientific issues surrounding the food, chemical, packaging, and related consumer product industries. In addition, he is a contributing author to packaginglaw.com, which provides news and analysis of worldwide packaging regulations, and is frequently invited to speak at international regulatory conferences.

While in law school, Mark was a contract law teaching assistant and an Associate Editor for the Commlaw Conspectus. These experiences enhance his practice by providing a deeper insight into contract law and policy matters, respectively.

Representative Matters

• Advised on the compliance status of finished health food products marketed in China and elsewhere
• Submitted hundreds of food contact submissions to the Chinese government and dozens of Food Contact Notifications (FCN) to clear new packaging materials, including biopolymers, oxygen scavengers, and other emerging technologies
• Secured direct food additive approvals in the U.S. and Asia 
• Compiled a comprehensive review of requirements for sourcing algae in Asia as it relates to the Convention on Biological Diversity
• Submitted industry comments on legislation concerning food and food contact materials in China and elsewhere in Asia, seeking common sense exemptions and revisions
• Prepared a trade association White Paper on China’s regulation of food packaging materials 
• Delivered presentations and other training to individual corporations and trade groups around the world