Microwave-safe test

Test to determine the mechanical and physical properties and safety of cutlery and feeding utensils intended for children from 0 to 48 months of age. The method is based on the EN 14372 standard.

This analysis package is intended to determine if food packaging and beverage bottles can be considered reusable in the framework of the Single-Use Plastic (SUP) Directive (Directive (EU) 2019/904). The following tests are included: Overall migration testing for repeated use with 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid, and olive oil (simulants A, B, and D2), Dishwasher resistance testing according to EN 12875-1 with 25 wash cycles. The EU Commission’s interpretations of the SUP legislation declare that reusability can evaluated using test method EN 12875-1 (Mechanical dishwashing resistance of utensils). If plastic articles can be washed 25 times in a dishwasher, they can be considered to have been designed for multiple uses without losing their effectiveness and properties. Additionally, food packaging and beverage bottles tested for single-use are not compliant for reuse according to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. Hence, the test package includes overall migration testing for repeated use to ensure that the article remains inert when reused. By default, testing is done to establish compliance with all types of foods (i.e., moist and dry foods, acidic and non-acidic, fatty foods). Note: this test package is only applicable for articles that have already been tested for food contact as single-use articles. This does not constitute a full test package for compliance according to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011. Please consult our experts for further support.

This test is used to evaluate kitchenware and storage articles, such as freezer boxes, for resistance to cold exposure in domestic freezers. In the test, the article is stored at -18°C for 24 hours, after which the article is observed for the presence of off-odor and visual changes, including discoloration, deformation, cracking, and chipping. Additionally, it is checked that functionality has been maintained.

Rapid method for testing domestic ceramics for resistance to mechanical dishwashing. In this test, the tested articles are immersed in a solution with alkaline dishwashing detergent at (75 ± 1) °C for a total of 32 hours. The specimens are then examined visually according to standard EN 12875-2 to determine any changes in the article. Please note that this test does not indicate a clear number of dishwasher cycles the product is expected to withstand. Rather, this test can be useful for the following purposes: Research and development: for example, comparing different printing or glazing solutions for their resistance to dishwashing and general wear., Quality assurance: ensuring that the product maintains its gloss and color after repeated exposure to chemical, mechanical, and thermal stresses in a domestic dishwasher., Product inspection: for example, if there is suspicion about compromised quality of the printing, glazing, or other product characteristics at the retail level..

Method for testing the resistance of domestic articles made from ceramic, glass, glass ceramic, vitreous enamel, metal, and plastics under the combined chemical, thermal, and mechanical stresses of mechanical dishwashing in domestic dishwashers. The analysis is to be used as a reference test method for domestic dishwashing only. It does not define the number of dishwashing cycles that any given product shall withstand. The test includes 250 washing cycles according to EN 12875-1, followed by an inspection according to EN 12875-2. Please note that the cost is per wash batch, and adding more products to the same offer would not increase the cost (assuming the samples fit the test machine simultaneously). The cost includes one inspection per batch; the addition of another inspection will add €70 to the overall cost.

Method for testing the resistance of domestic articles made from ceramic, glass, glass ceramic, vitreous enamel, metal, and plastics under the combined chemical, thermal, and mechanical stresses of washing in domestic dishwashers. The analysis is to be used as a reference test method for domestic dishwashing only. It does not define the number of dishwashing cycles that any given product shall withstand. The test includes 125 washing cycles according to EN 12875-1, followed by an inspection according to EN 12875-2. Please note that the cost is per batch, and thus adding more products to the same order will not increase the cost. The cost includes one inspection per batch; the addition of another inspection will add €70 to the overall cost.

Heat resistance test for cookware to evaluate suitability for cooking in domestic ovens. The test is described in Section 6.1.8 and Annex A of standard EN 13834. In the test, the cookware is placed for 1 hour in an oven heated to a temperature 20 °C above the manufacturer's recommended maximum temperature (or 250 °C where no maximum temperature is given). After 1 hour of incubation, the ovenware shall show no damage to be designated as “oven-proof” or “oven-safe”.

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.

This test is used to determine the folding endurance of paper or board using the Köhler-Molin, Lhomargy, MIT, and Schopper testers. During the test, a narrow strip of paper is folded forwards and backward in a standardized manner, so that it is subjected to longitudinal stress until it breaks.

Specific migration of hexamethylene diisocyanate [CAS: 822-06-0] from a sample or material intended for food contact. The substance is listed under FCM 372 and Ref No. 18640 in European Commission Regulation No 10/2011 on plastic food contact materials. The specific migration limit (SML) of hexamethylene diisocyanate is ND (not detected), which means migration must not be observed with a 0.01 mg/kg detection limit. Note that we also offer an isocyanate testing package for measuring the residual content of hexamethylene diisocyanate and three additional isocyanates.