Reusability testing of food packaging according to the SUP Directive

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.