Microbiological examination of pulp, paper, and board

Accredited laboratory analysis according to the EN 1104 standard to determine the transfer of antimicrobial constituents from paper and board intended for food contact. Paper and board food contact materials must not release processing aids that have an antimicrobial effect on food. The requirement is outlined, for example, in German BfR Recommendation XXXVI.

This test is used to evaluate the color fastness of dyed or printed paper or board that is intended to come into contact with food. The applied simulants are Olive oil, 3% acetic acid, Alkaline salt solution (saliva simulant), Distilled water. Color transfer is assessed against a greyscale according to standard EN 646.

Determination of certain aromatic amines derived from azo dyes in accordance with the standard EN 14362-1.

Glyoxal (CAS 107-22-2) can be used as a cross-linker in paper, board, corrugated board, and textile products. According to German BfR Recommendation XXXVI on paper and board food contact materials, the extract of the finished product must not contain more than 1.5 mg of glyoxal per dm2.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals widely used as plasticizers, which make plastics more flexible and durable. They have also been used as additives in products such as cosmetics and personal care items. Several phthalates have been identified as endocrine-disrupting agents or as chemicals toxic to reproduction. Exposure to phthalates can occur through: Oral exposure Food: Exposure occurs via migration from food packaging., Children's toys: Children often put toys in their mouths.., Inhalation: Breathing in dust from vinyl flooring or fragrances (like perfumes) can cause exposure to phthalates via inhalation., Skin contact: Phthalates present in cosmetics, lotions, and soaps can be absorbed through the skin.. For other listed matrices apart from cosmetics, the analysis package covers the following substances included in the REACH Authorization List: Substance Abbreviation CAS number Diisobutyl phthalate DIBP 84-69-5 Dibutyl phthalate DBP 84-74-2 Benzyl butyl phthalate BBP 85-68-7 Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP 117-81-7 Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP 117-84-0 Diisononyl phthalate DINP 68515-48-0 Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP 26761-40-0 Products that contain restricted phthalates in concentrations higher than 0.1% may be removed from the market. The analysis package for cosmetic products contains the following phthalates: Substance Abbreviation CAS number Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate DEHP 117-81-7 Benzyl butyl phthalate BBP 85-68-7 Dibutyl phthalate DBP 84-74-2 Diisononyl phthalate DINP 68515-48-0 Di(n-octyl) phthalate DNOP 117-84-0 Diisodecyl phthalate DIDP 26761-40-0 All the above-mentioned substances are prohibited in cosmetic products (Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009).

Analysis for quantifying dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) in various packaging materials (e.g. food and cosmetics packaging) and their raw materials, including plastics, paper, and rubber. Dioxins and furans are a family of chlorine-containing chemicals considered bioaccumulating, persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that can be toxic even at low doses. While regulatory limits apply mainly to food and feed, packaging materials can be a source of indirect exposure to dioxins and furans. Recycled materials tend to pose relatively high risks, depending on the quality of the raw material and the effectiveness of the decontamination process. The following substances are included in the analysis: Dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) 2,3,7,8-TCDD. 2,3,7,8-TCDF. 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDD. 1,2,3,7,8-PeCDF. 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD. 2,3,4,7,8-PeCDF. 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDD. 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDF. 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDD. 1,2,3,6,7,8-HxCDF. 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDD. 1,2,3,7,8,9-HxCDF. OCDD. 2,3,4,6,7,8-HxCDF. 1,2,3,4,6,7,8-HpCDF. 1,2,3,4,7,8,9-HpCDF. OCDF. Testing is often performed for the following reasons: Analyzing recycled PE, PP, and LDPE intended for cosmetics packaging according to CosPaTox guidelines., Analyzing paper and board bleached with elementary chlorine according to the requirements of TemaNord 2008:515 guidelines..

Determination of the total organic fluorine (TOF) content in combustible materials by combustion ion chromatography (CIC). TOF analysis gives information about the total amount of organic fluorinated compounds. It can also be used to evaluate the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the material, even though individual PFAS compounds can't be analyzed with this method. The analysis is suitable for many different materials. Please describe the sample in detail when requesting an offer to help us prepare a quote quickly.

Determination of the transfer speed of optical brightening agents (OBAs), also known as fluorescent whitening agents, from paper and board. The test is performed against UV light to provide a rating for the leaching of OBAs. The applied simulants are: Olive oil, 3% acetic acid, Alkaline salt solution (saliva simulant), Distilled water. Testing is recommended for optically brightened paper and board, but also for paper and board with recycled fibers, especially if they are intended for food contact. When requesting an offer for this test, please indicate whether the material is intended for short or long-term contact with food.

Screening of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from paper, board, and plastics. The method can be used to analyze volatile residues from printed packaging. For evaluation of recycling process efficiency, please see our extended package for VOC screening. The following substances are included in this analysis package: Substance CAS No Methyl propylene glycol (1-methoxy-2-propanol) 107-98-2 Buthyl glycol (2-Butoxy ethanol) 111-76-2 Ethyl glycol (2-Ethoxyethanol) 110-80-5 Ethyl glycol acetate (2-Ethoxyethyl acetate) 111-15-9 Methyl glycol (2-Methoxyethanol) 109-86-4 Methyl glycol acetate (2-Methoxyethanol acetate) 110-49-6 3-Ethoxy-1-propanol 111-35-3 Acetyl acetone 123-54-6 Acetone 67-64-1 Ethanol 64-17-5 Isobutanol 201-148-0 2-propanol, Isopropanol (IPA) 67-63-0 Methanol 67-56-1 1-Butanol 71-36-3 1-Propanol 71-23-8 Benzene 71-43-2 Cyclohexane 110-82-7 Ethylbenzene 100-41-4 Ethyl acetate 141-78-6 Isobutyl acetate 110-19-0 Isopropyl acetate 108-21-4 Isooctane 540-84-1 2-butanone, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) 78-93-3 Methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) 108-10-1 Methyl acetate 79-20-9 Toluene 108-88-3 Trichloroethylene 79-01-6 Xylene 1330-20-7 n-Butyl Acetate 123-86-4 n-Heptane 142-82-5 n-Hexane 110-54-3 n-Octane 111-65-9 n-Propyl acetate 109-60-4

Overall migration (OM) into simulant E (Tenax) measures the sum of volatile and semi-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into food via the gas phase. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulant E is assigned for materials that are intended for contact with dry foods (e.g., salt, dried spices, semolina, sugar) or which can be considered to have a dry surface (e.g. unpeeled fruits, frozen foods). Simulant E can be also used if the tested material absorbs or is otherwise not able to withstand a liquid simulant (e.g. uncoated paper, napkins, tissue paper). Due to its thermal stability, Tenax is used as a simulant for the overall migration testing of materials intended for high-temperature applications (> 100 °C) if testing with olive oil is not technically feasible. Typical instances include e.g. ovenable paperboard packaging, baking paper, cooking utensils made from polyamide, and ovenable silicone molds. The test methods intended for plastics and paper have been described in standards EN 1186-13 (method B) and EN 14338, respectively. The standard overall migration limit (OML) is either 10 mg/dm2 or 60 mg/kg, depending on the regulation. Compliance can be evaluated according to various regulations/guidelines; see Table 1 for details. Table 1. Examples of available safety references for compliance evaluation of the results. Material Regulatory or other safety reference Plastics Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (Uncoated) paper and board Resolution CM/Res(2020)9; DGCCRF MCDA sheet n°4 (V02 – 01/01/2019) Silicone Silicones Europe guidelines; French Arrêté du 25 novembre 1992 Rubber BfR XXI Coatings, varnishes, adhesives Regulation (EU) No 10/2011