Material Testing Insights

Read articles by our experts and guest authors on the practical implications of regulations, scientific advancements, and the ideal uses of different analysis methods.

Top articles

Plastic food contact material regulations and testing in the EU

Plastic food contact material regulations and testing in the EU

EU regulations require plastic food contact materials to be tested for harmful substances that may migrate from the material to food.

Particle size distribution analysis – guide to method selection

Particle size distribution analysis – guide to method selection

Particle size distribution is a key characteristic of powdered materials. This guide helps you choose the most appropriate analytical method for your sample.

PFAS regulations in the EU: overview of restrictions by product category

PFAS regulations in the EU: overview of restrictions by product category

The use of PFAS – also known as "forever chemicals" – has been regulated in the EU for more than a decade, with limits getting stricter in recent years.

Niko Markkinen
Niko Markkinen

July 8, 2024

Testing to substantiate food contact material labeling in the EU

FCMs can be marked with various performance labels, such as dishwasher-safe or microwave-safe, if they can be shown to withstand the relevant conditions.

Keep reading >

Testing to substantiate food contact material labeling in the EU
Fanny Törnqvist
Fanny Törnqvist

July 5, 2024

How Measurlabs accelerated Interlinked's MDR submission process

Read how Measurlabs eased Interlinked's MDR submission process by offering all the necessary tests and proactive expert support.

Keep reading >

How Measurlabs accelerated Interlinked's MDR submission process
Fanny Törnqvist
Fanny Törnqvist

July 2, 2024

The hidden costs of inefficient laboratory testing procurement

Laboratory testing procurement has many pitfalls from wasting time on project management and searching for laboratories to simply overpaying for analyses.

Keep reading >

The hidden costs of inefficient laboratory testing procurement
Joshua Reeder
Joshua Reeder

June 17, 2024

Solid recovered fuel analysis to ensure consistent fuel quality

Solid recovered fuel (SRF) is more variable than traditional fossil fuels, requiring thorough chemical and physical characterization to ensure high quality.

Keep reading >

Solid recovered fuel analysis to ensure consistent fuel quality
Pihla Pietiläinen
Pihla Pietiläinen

June 6, 2024

Product safety in the EU: Why were consumer products found dangerous in 2023?

Our overview of serious risk alerts registered on the Safety Gate portal in 2023 reveals the reasons behind dangerous consumer products.

Keep reading >

Product safety in the EU: Why were consumer products found dangerous in 2023?
Elina Tenhunen
Elina Tenhunen

June 4, 2024

The role of the Biological Evaluation Plan (BEP) in the biocompatibility evaluation of medical devices

Preparing the BEP before large-scale testing starts helps companies choose the most appropriate testing procedure, which in turn helps minimize animal testing.

Keep reading >

The role of the Biological Evaluation Plan (BEP) in the biocompatibility evaluation of medical devices
Anssi Rajala
Anssi Rajala

May 24, 2024

Total organic carbon (TOC) testing: applications, regulations, and standards

Popular applications of TOC testing include monitoring drinking water quality and ensuring that water is ultrapure for pharmaceutical use.

Keep reading >

Total organic carbon (TOC) testing: applications, regulations, and standards
Meeri Rantanen
Meeri Rantanen

May 15, 2024

Overview of the U.S. EPA Method 1633 for PFAS testing

Method 1633 details the procedure for screening 40 PFAS compounds from environmental samples, including surface and groundwater, sediment, and wastewater.

Keep reading >

Overview of the U.S. EPA Method 1633 for PFAS testing
Ida Tarko
Ida Tarko

May 7, 2024

Comparison of thermal analysis techniques used in material characterization

Several techniques, such as DSC, TGA, and TMA, can be used for thermal analysis, depending on the studied properties, temperature range, and sample type.

Keep reading >

Comparison of thermal analysis techniques used in material characterization
Henna Väänänen
Henna Väänänen

April 23, 2024

Guide to EU compliance testing of paper and board food contact materials

Manufacturers must choose an appropriate safety reference for testing paper and board FCMs, as there is currently no harmonized EU legislation.

Keep reading >

Guide to EU compliance testing of paper and board food contact materials
Charlotte Zborowski
Charlotte Zborowski

April 18, 2024

Surface roughness measurement of thin films: technique comparison

Several techniques, including AFM, XRR, and profilometry, can be used to obtain information on the roughness of thin films and semiconductor devices.

Keep reading >

Surface roughness measurement of thin films: technique comparison
Fanny Törnqvist
Fanny Törnqvist

April 17, 2024

Orthex saved 20% in testing costs and replaced three laboratories with Measurlabs

Savings originated from competitive pricing, but also from optimizing the testing procedure with expert support, thus cutting unnecessary analyses.

Keep reading >

Orthex saved 20% in testing costs and replaced three laboratories with Measurlabs
Fanny Törnqvist
Fanny Törnqvist

April 16, 2024

Streamlining R&D and compliance: Measurlabs’ role in empowering Sulapac's growth

Getting all the required laboratory tests in one place enabled effective R&D for Sulapac. Now, testing helps them ensure the compliance of new product lines.

Keep reading >

Streamlining R&D and compliance: Measurlabs’ role in empowering Sulapac's growth
Ida Tarko
Ida Tarko

April 12, 2024

Biodegradability and compostability testing by national and international standards

Companies should provide evidence, such as third-party laboratory test results, for biodegradability and compostability-related product claims.

Keep reading >

Biodegradability and compostability testing by national and international standards
Pasi Tuomikoski
Pasi Tuomikoski

March 27, 2024

Feed testing rules and regulations in the European market

European feed manufacturers must ensure their products comply with regulations on labeling, authorized ingredients, and maximum contaminant levels.

Keep reading >

Feed testing rules and regulations in the European market
Fanny Törnqvist
Fanny Törnqvist

March 22, 2024

How Skandino’s partnership with Measurlabs helped accelerate their product launch

Skandino, a Finnish startup producing biobased children's tableware, turned to Measurlabs to have their products tested for safety and EU compliance.

Keep reading >

How Skandino’s partnership with Measurlabs helped accelerate their product launch
Elina Tenhunen
Elina Tenhunen

March 21, 2024

Medical device testing for 510(k) submission to the FDA

Characteristics to be tested for 510(k) premarket submission include sterility, shelf life, biocompatibility, and mechanical performance.

Keep reading >

Medical device testing for 510(k) submission to the FDA
Charlotte Zborowski
Charlotte Zborowski

February 27, 2024

Semiconductor failure analysis: techniques and applications

Advanced techniques, such as cross-sectional SEM and TEM, SAM, and FTIR, can be used to complement routine checks in semiconductor failure analysis.

Keep reading >

Semiconductor failure analysis: techniques and applications
Anssi Rajala
Anssi Rajala

February 20, 2024

New microplastic testing standard ISO 24187 sets guidelines for analysis

The standard lists several analysis methods for microplastic testing and defines size ranges that particles should be filtered into to get comparable results.

Keep reading >

New microplastic testing standard ISO 24187 sets guidelines for analysis
Elina Tenhunen
Elina Tenhunen

February 14, 2024

Alternatives to animal testing in the development of medical devices

The safety and legal compliance of medical devices can often be assessed without resorting to animal testing, especially in lower-risk device categories.

Keep reading >

Alternatives to animal testing in the development of medical devices