Standardized product tests

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.

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.

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 test duration. Test durations ranging from 3 months up to 24 months.

Accelerated weathering test exposing non-metallic materials to fluorescent UV radiation and moisture in a QUV chamber according to ASTM G154. The method reproduces the degradation effects of outdoor sunlight and moisture exposure under controlled laboratory conditions. Two lamp types are available, selected based on the intended application: UVA-340 lamps closely replicate the short-wave UV portion of natural sunlight and are used for most outdoor material testing, while UVB-313 lamps provide a more aggressive spectrum for accelerated screening. Specimens are subjected to repetitive cycles of UV exposure and moisture, delivered as condensation or water spray, with temperature controlled throughout. Color change is evaluated by measuring CIE Lab* coordinates before and after exposure and calculating the total color difference ΔE*ab. Gloss retention and visual surface assessment are available upon request. ASTM G154 does not itself define acceptance criteria or specify exposure conditions for particular applications; results are best used for comparative ranking or compliance with specified exposure requirements. Please specify the material type and desired test cycle when requesting a quote.

Determination of barrier materials' resistance to permeation by liquid chemicals under continuous contact according to EN 16523-1. The test uses a permeation cell in which the test material separates the challenge chemical from a collecting medium on the inner side. The collecting medium is sampled and analyzed quantitatively over time to generate a permeation curve from which the primary outcome, the normalized breakthrough time (NBT), is derived. Permeation rates (including steady‑state and normalization values) are also reported in µg·cm⁻²·min⁻¹. EN 16523-1 is used in conjunction with product-specific standards that define pre-conditioning, sampling, and performance levels – for example, EN 374-1 for protective gloves. Degradation testing is covered separately by standards such as EN 374-4.

Determination of industrial compostability of plastic-based products and packaging according to ASTM D6400. The standard defines pass/fail criteria for labeling products as compostable in municipal or industrial aerobic composting facilities, covering both the material itself and the compost it produces. Four complementary tests are required for a full compostability assessment: Aerobic biodegradation: samples are incubated under composting conditions and CO₂ evolution is monitored; the pass criterion is ≥90% carbon conversion to CO₂ within the defined timeframe., Disintegration: composted material is sieved through a 2 mm mesh; the pass criterion is ≤10% fragment mass remaining., Ecotoxicity: compost produced from the test material is applied to plant tests measuring germination rate and biomass relative to blank controls; both must reach ≥90% of control values., Heavy metals: concentrations of regulated metals in the material or residue must not exceed 50% of the limits prescribed for composts and biosolids under EPA regulations.. Results are reported as percentage carbon mineralization, percentage mass passing the sieve, plant germination rate and relative biomass as a percentage of controls, and metal concentrations in mg/kg dry weight. ASTM D6400 is the primary standard for substantiating industrial compostability claims in the U.S. In Europe, the functionally comparable standard is EN 13432, which is referenced in the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). We also offer testing in accordance with EN 13432 – please ask our experts for more information through the form below.

Accelerated weathering test exposing coated panels to simulated sunlight, heat, and moisture in a xenon-arc chamber according to ASTM G155. The method reproduces the degradation effects of outdoor exposure, or exposure through window glass, in a controlled laboratory setting, allowing material durability and weathering resistance to be assessed in significantly less time than real-time outdoor testing. The xenon-arc lamp produces a full-spectrum light output covering UV, visible, and infrared radiation. Optical filters are selected based on the intended service environment: daylight filters simulate direct outdoor sunlight, while window glass filters simulate indoor exposure to sunlight filtered through glass. Specimens are subjected to repetitive cycles combining controlled light, elevated temperature, and moisture (delivered as water spray or condensation) with exposure conditions defined by the selected test cycle. The standard includes 14 predefined cycles covering a range of applications and end-use environments. The default offered test conditions are 1000 hours of exposure in a Q-SUN xenon-arc chamber with a Daylight Q filter, which produces a daylight spectral power distribution. Alternative exposure durations, filter types, and test cycles are available upon request. Typical properties evaluated after exposure include: Color change and fading, Gloss retention, Surface degradation: cracking, crazing, chalking, and delamination, Changes in mechanical properties, such as tensile or flexural strength. ASTM G155 does not itself define acceptance criteria or pass/fail thresholds, but is rather a practice for operating the exposure apparatus, and is used in conjunction with material-specific standards or customer-defined performance requirements. No direct correlation exists between accelerated exposure duration and outdoor service life; results are best used for comparative ranking of materials or compliance with specified exposure requirements. Please specify the required test cycle, exposure duration, filter type, and any post-exposure property evaluations when requesting a quote.

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%