Cationizing agents and reaction products in aqueous extract of paper and board

Determination of bisphenol S (CAS 80-09-1) content in various matrices with LC-MS, including: Consumer goods made from plastic, elastomers, and rubber, Food packaging (plastic, paper, multi-materials). Testing is recommended especially for paper and board food packaging that contains recycled fibers and comes into contact with moist and fatty foods. To be compliant with German BfR Recommendation XXXVI, such packaging must not release bisphenol S into food in amounts exceeding 0.05 mg/kg. Extraction is possible with various techniques, including: Extraction method Intended purpose Standard (extraction) Suitable matrices Reporting limit Acetonitrile extraction Test for residual content of BPS In-house Plastic, rubber 0.003 mg/kg of sample Methanol extraction under sonication Test for residual content of BPS In-house Paper, board 0.01 mg/l of extract Cold water extraction Simulate migration into aqueous foods for non-coated paper EN 645 Paper, board 0.01 mg/l of extract Hot water extraction Simulate migration into aqueous foods for non-coated paper for baking purposes EN 647 Paper, board 0.01 mg/l of extract Solvent extraction Simulate migration into fatty foods for non-coated paper EN 15519 Paper, board 0.01 mg/l of extract

As there is no harmonized EU regulation for using wood in food contact applications, compliance should be assessed based on other resources, such as the national legislation of member states. This test package is based on the requirements of French Information note n°2012-93 (Note d'information n° 2012-93) for coated and non-coated wood intended for food contact. The following analyses are included in the displayed price: Test parameter Test method/standard Method of extraction or preparation Transfer of odor and flavor into food DIN 10955 Water extract or contact with model food Heavy metals in water extract (Pb, Cd, Hg) ICP-MS Cold or hot water extract (EN 645 / EN 647) Formaldehyde in water extract EN 1541 Cold or hot water extract (EN 645 / EN 647) Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB28, PCB52, PCB101, PCB118, PCB153, PCB180) GC-MS In-house method Pentachlorophenol (PCP) content GC-MS CEN/TR 14823 In addition to the tests listed above, a pesticide screening should be performed for wood treated with antifungal substances (so-called "anti-blue" protection). The analysis covers 715 substances and is available for an additional cost of 298 EUR. In most cases, this test package is sufficient to establish food contact compliance of non-coated wood or articles thereof. If the wood has been coated with a lacquer or varnish, has been painted, or contains adhesives, complementary testing could be required (e.g., migration of primary aromatic amines, migration of mineral oil (MOSH/POSH and MOAH hydrocarbons). Our experts are happy to support you by reviewing the documentation of the coating material and/or the adhesive to determine the full scope of required testing.

Determination of formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) content in cold or hot water extracts of paper or board. The method is suitable, for example, for an analysis of formaldehyde migration by the German BfR Recommendation XXXVI. The migration limit for formaldehyde is 1.0 mg/dm² of paper or board. Formaldehyde is used in various chemicals and additives that are used in paper and board production.

This measurement detects the migration of heavy metals and aluminum to cold water from paper or board intended as food contact material. The method is suitable for the determination of migration of aluminum (Al), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in accordance with BfR XXXVI recommendations. The migration of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) can also be determined using the CEPI testing recommendations for food contact paper and board.

Glutaraldehyde is a slimicide used to control microbial growth in paper and paperboard packaging. Its use in food packaging is allowed according to BfR XXXVI, however, no more than 2 mg of glutaraldehyde must be detectable in 1 kg of the finished product.

Acrylamide (CAS: 79-06-1) is used in certain sizing and retention agents in the production of fiber-based food packaging. It is classified as a potential human carcinogen, and its migration into food is restricted under several EU and national regulations. A migration limit of 0.01 mg/kg was recently introduced for acrylamide release from paper- and board-based food contact materials by the latest version of German BfR recommendation XXXVI (October 2025). The same limit also applies to migration from plastic food contact materials under Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. Specific migration from plastics or rubber can be determined using several food simulants. Paper and board, for which conventional migration testing is not suitable, are analyzed using aqueous or solvent extractions (EN 645, EN 647, EN 15519).

Epichlorohydrin is a highly reactive electrophilic compound used to produce glycerol, plastics, epoxy glues and resins, epoxy diluents, and elastomers. The compound is included under 'Sizing agents' in the positive list of the BfR XXXVI recommendation on paper and board food contact materials. The hydrolysis products of epichlorohydrin are controlled as follows: 1,3-Dichloro-2-propanol [1,3-DCP, CAS 96-23-1] must not be detectable in the water extract of the finished product (detection limit 2 µg/l for kitchen paper towels and 1 µg/l for all other articles)., The transfer of 3-monochloro-1,2-propanediol [3-MCPD CAS 96-24-2] into the water extract of the finished products must be as low as technically achievable, and a limit of 12 µg/l must not be exceeded in any case.. The required detection limit for 1,3-DCP was lowered from 2 µg/l to 1 µg/l for most articles in the October 2026 update of BfR XXXVI. This analysis is sufficiently sensitive to meet the new limit.

Determination of isothiazolinones in food contact materials and consumer goods. Isothiazolinones are common preservatives (biocides) in cosmetics, chemical formulations, and printing inks. Isothiazolinone content is restricted under several EU directives and regulations, including the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC, the Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, and the Food Contact Plastics Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. For paper and board intended for food contact, limits are specified in German BfR recommendation XXXVI. For testing compliance with BfR recommendation XXXVI, we can offer the following packages for analysis from aqueous extracts (EN 645 / EN 647): Substance Abbreviation CAS Basic package Extended package 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3(2H)-one BIT 2634-33-5 x x 2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one MIT 2682-20-4 x x 5-chloro-2-methyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one CMIT 26172-55-4 x x CMIT/MIT 3:1 mixture - 55965-84-9 x x 2-octyl-2H-isothiazole-3-one OIT 26530-20-1 x 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) MBT 149-30-4 x 4,5-dichloro-2-octyl-2H-isothiazol-3-one DCOIT 64359-81-5 x 2-methyl-1,2-benzothiazol-3(2H)-one MBIT 2527-66-4 x For paper and board with grammage exceeding 450 gsm, the extended package with the lower reporting limit will be used automatically.

Analysis of chlorophenols from aqueous extract of paper and board in cases where a method with a low detection limit and/or wider analysis is required. By convention, PCP levels in paper and board intended for food contact are monitored. The package covers analysis of the following substances: Subtance CAS No Pentachlorophenol 87-86-5 2,4-Dichlorophenol 120-83-2 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol 88-06-2 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol 95-95-4 2,3,4,6-Tetrachlorophenol 58-90-2 The cost of analysis depends on the scope of the service (in particular, whether 2,3,4,6-tetrachlorophenol is to be included or not).

Bronopol (2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent used to control microbial growth and slime formation during paper manufacturing. The substance is included under 'Slimicides' (antimicrobial agents) in the positive list of BfR Recommendation XXXVI. Bronopol and its degradation product are controlled as follows: 2-Bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol [bronopol, CAS 52-51-7] may be used at a maximum level of 0.003%, based on dry fiber weight., For the sum of bronopol and its degradation product 2-bromo-2-nitroethanol [CAS 5437-60-5], the transfer into food must not exceed 0.05 mg/kg.. The requirement for bronopol was updated in the October 2026 version of BfR XXXVI, replacing the previous non-detectable limit with a combined 0.05 mg/kg migration limit for the sum of bronopol and 2-bromo-2-nitroethanol. By default, the analysis is performed from aqueous extract of paper and board according to either EN 645 or EN 647.