Testing services / Migration of heavy metals from ceramics, glass, and enameled articles

Migration of heavy metals from ceramics, glass, and enameled articles

Migration of lead and cadmium from ceramics, glass, and enameled articles.

For ceramic articles and tableware, limits defined in Commission Directive 2005/31/EC (amending Council Directive 84/500/EEC) apply:

Category	Limit for lead	Limit for cadmium
Articles which cannot be filled and articles which can be filled, the internal depth of which, measured from the lowest point to the horizontal plane passing through the upper rim, does not exceed 25 mm	0.8 mg/dm2	0.07 mg/dm2
All other articles which can be filled	4.0 mg/l	0.3 mg/l
Cooking ware; packaging and storage vessels having a capacity of more than three liters	1.5 mg/l	0.1 mg/l

In addition, limits for the release of lead (2 mg/article) and cadmium (0.2 mg/article) for articles with a lip and rim area (such as cups and mugs) have been defined in standard ISO 4531-1/2:1998.

For glass and enameled products, no harmonized regulation exists currently within the European Union. By convention, limits defined by Commission Directive 2005/31/EC can be applied. However, member states can impose additional or separate restrictions regarding migration limits, tested elements, and/or test conditions.

Examples of specific requirements defined at the national level are listed below:

Member state	Regulation	Specific requirements*
France	Fiche MCDA n°2 (V01 – 01/05/2016)	Ceramics & glass: separate migration limits for articles with a lip and rim area migration limits for Al, Co, and As Enameled and decorated articles other than ceramics: migration limit for Cr VI
Italy	Ministerial Decree of 21/03/1975, as amended	Lead glass: separate test method and migration limit for Pb
The Netherlands	Commodities Act (Packagings and Consumer Articles)	Glass and glass ceramics: separate migration limits for Sb, As, Ba, B, Cd, Ce, Cr, F, Co, Li, Pb, Mn, Ni, Rb, Zr Ceramics and enamels: separate migration limits for As, Ba, B, Cd, Cr, Co, Hg, Li, Pb, Rb, Se, Sr
Finland	Degree (KTM) 268/1992	Glass, enamels, and ceramics with lip and rim area and/or intended for toddlers: separate migration limits for Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr

^{* Testing for specific requirements is possible for an additional cost}

Some of the available test methods are listed below:

Material type	Product type	Migration method	Available methods
Ceramics	Flatware (e.g. plates)	Total immersion	EN 1388-1, ASTM C 738
Ceramics	Holloware (e.g. cups)	Article fill	EN 1388-1, ASTM C 738
Glass	Flatware (e.g. plates)	Total immersion	EN 1388-2
Glass	Holloware (e.g. cups)	Article fill	ISO 7086-1
Ceramics, glass, enameled metal	Holloware (e.g. cups)	Lip and rim test	ASTM C 927

More information about the method:

ICP-MS analysis

Suitable sample matrices: Ceramics, glass, enameled articles
Required sample quantity: 6 pieces of sample material (finished products or raw materials)
Typical turnaround time: 3 weeks after receiving the samples
Available quality systems: Accredited testing laboratory
Device types: ICP-MS
Standard: ASTM C927-80 EN 1388-1 EN 1388-2 ISO 7086/1
Method expert: Niko Markkinen