Laboratory testing services

We offer comprehensive test packages for verifying the quality of type II and type IIR face masks according to the EN 14683 standard. The tests included in the packages are required to label face masks with the CE marking. Medical face masks are divided into Types I and II according to their bacterial filtration efficiency. Type I masks are not intended for healthcare professionals, but for the public to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Type II masks are further classified based on whether they are splash-resistant (Type IIR) or not (Type II). To comply with the European Standard EN 14683, Type II face masks must undergo the following quality tests: Bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) - The ability of the face mask to filter the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. The BFE is expressed as the percentage of colony-forming units (cfu) that have passed via aerosol through the facemask. If a face mask consists of two or more areas with different characteristics, these areas will be tested separately., Breathability (Differential pressure) - The amount of differential pressure required to draw air through a measured surface area at a constant flow rate., Microbial cleanliness (Bioburden) - The measurement of colony forming units per gram as per EN ISO 11737-1., Biocompatibility - The medical face mask manufacturer shall complete a biocompatibility evaluation according to ISO 10993-1 as a surface device with limited contact. The applicable toxicology testing regimen shall also be determined.. In addition to the above, Type IIR masks require the following test: Splash resistance - Performed according to ISO 22609, this test determines the ability of a face mask to resist penetration of splashes of liquid at different pressures.. The lower displayed price applies to the Type II mask test package, while the higher price also includes the splash resistance test required for Type IIR masks.

Testing package to assess the industrial compostability of materials or products following international protocols, such as EN 13432 for packaging, EN 14995 for plastic products, and ISO 17088 for organic recycling. The compostability assessment framework comprises four complementary tests, collectively ensuring the organic recyclability of the material or product: Analysis of constituents to verify the absence of heavy metals and toxic compounds in the material., Biodegradation tests to assess how plastic breaks down, gauging its environmental impact., Disintegration tests for evaluating how plastics fragment into smaller pieces under diverse environmental conditions., Ecotoxicity assessment to ensure that the biodegradation product is not toxic to living organisms, including plants, invertebrates, and microorganisms.. This analysis package includes the necessary tests to verify your product's compostability in an industrial composting environment with a 3-month testing time, which is the typical time for biodegradable plastics to break down in an industrial compost. The maximum testing time is 6 months.

A biodegradation analysis for determining how materials decompose in soil, conforming to the ISO 17556 standard. This standard is specific to aerobic biodegradation in soil environments, where organic materials are broken down into carbon dioxide (CO2). Please note that this analysis focuses exclusively on aerobic biodegradation and does not cover chemical analyses, material disintegration, or ecotoxicity evaluations, which are essential for a full understanding of the environmental impact of the degradation process. The analysis is, nonetheless, a valuable tool for comparing different product formulations in the initial stages of development, prior to more comprehensive biodegradability assessments. The cost of this test varies, depending on the specific conditions chosen and the product being tested, with test durations ranging from 6 to 24 months.

European standard EN 717-1 outlines a chamber method for measuring formaldehyde emissions from wood-based panels. During testing, test pieces are placed in a chamber with controlled temperature, relative humidity, loading factor, and air exchange rate. Formaldehyde concentration in the air is then measured at specified intervals until a steady state concentration has been reached. The results are expressed in mg/m3. The EN 717-1 method is equivalent to that described in Appendix 14 to Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1464, which states that certain formaldehyde-releasing articles must not be placed on the market after 6 August 2026. To comply with the regulation, materials must not release formaldehyde in excess of the following values: 0.062 mg/m3 for furniture and wood-based articles, 0.080 mg/m3 for articles other than furniture and wood-based articles.

1000 hours of exposure in QUV accelerated artificial weathering, including measurement of L* a* b* color coordinates and calculation of ΔE*ab

1000 hours of exposure in QSUN xenon-arc chamber with filter Daylight Q (daylight SPD)

This analysis package is used to determine the biodegradability of materials in soil. The results can be used to evaluate the environmental impact of the product. Testing is based on the international standard ISO 23517, titled "Soil biodegradable materials for mulch films for use in agriculture and horticulture - Requirements and test methods regarding biodegradation, ecotoxicity and control of constituents." The standard encompasses four assessments: Chemical analysis of raw materials: Ensuring the absence of heavy metals or toxic compounds from the material., Biodegradation Tests: Evaluating how plastic breaks down and examining its environmental impact., Disintegration Tests: Assessing how plastics fragment into smaller pieces under simulated soil conditions., Ecotoxicity: Verifying that the product resulting from biodegradation is not toxic to living organisms, with evaluations conducted at two levels: higher plants and invertebrates.. The goal is to determine whether the material can undergo effective biodegradation in a simulated natural environment, utilizing the detailed criteria outlined in the ISO standard.

Standard EN 228 outlines the testing requirements and methods for gasoline quality testing. The following tests are included in the package: Standard Parameter Requirements EN ISO 5164 RON Min. 95 EN ISO 5163 MON Min. 85 EN 237 Lead content Max. 5 mg/l EN ISO 12185 Density at 15 °C 720–775 kg/m3 EN ISO 20846 Sulfur content Max. 10 mg/kg EN 16136 Manganese content Max. 2 mg/l EN ISO 7536 Oxidation stability Min. 360 minutes EN ISO 6246 Washed gum content Max. 5 mg/100ml EN ISO 2160 Copper corrosion Class 1 ASTM D4176 Appearance Bright and clear EN ISO 22854 Hydrocarbon composition Benzene max. 1 v%, aromatics max. 35 v%, olefins max. 18 v%, oxygenates* EN 13016-1 Vapor pressure at 37.8 °C (DVPE) Depends on volatility class** EN ISO 3405 Distillation characteristics Final boiling point max. 210 °C, distillation residue max. 2 v%, evaporated volumes*** * For gasoline with max. 3.7 m% of oxygen, allowed oxygenate contents are methanol 3 v%, ethanol 10 v%, iso-propanol 12 v%, iso-butanol 15 v%, tert-butanol 15 v%, ethers with five or more carbon atoms 22 v%, and other oxygenates 15 v%. For gasoline with max. 2.7 m% of oxygen, allowed oxygenate contents are methanol 3 v% and ethanol 5 v%. ** For volatility class A: 45–60 kPa, B: 45–70 kPa, C: 50–80 kPa, D: 60–90 kPa, E: 65–95 kPa, and F: 70–100 kPa *** Percentage evaporated at 70 °C (E70): winter 22–50 v%, summer 22–48 v%, at 100 °C (E100): 46–71 v%, and at 150 °C (E150): min. 75 v%