Reusability testing of food packaging according to the SUP Directive

Overall migration (OML) testing with simulants A, B, and D2 is used to ensure the compliance of food packaging, cling film, freezer bags, nitrile gloves, takeaway boxes, and all other materials or articles that are intended for contact with all types of foods. Overall migration is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from the food contact material into food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, materials and articles intended for contact with all types of food shall be tested with food simulants A (10% ethanol), B (3% acetic acid), and D2 (olive oil). To comply with the regulation, overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). If testing with simulant D2 is not technically feasible, it is substituted with simulants D2e (95% ethanol) and D2i (isooctane). In case the contact temperature exceeds 100 °C, testing overall migration with simulant E (Tenax) is also necessary (not included in the cost). Our experts will provide guidance for selecting the appropriate simulants and migration conditions. Do not hesitate to ask for more information or a quote for testing repeated-use articles (the displayed price applies to single-use materials).

General compliance testing package for single-use plastic food contact materials (FCMs) by regulation (EU) 10/2011 and (EC) 1935/2004, article 3. This testing package includes the following tests: Overall migration testing for all food types (simulants A, B, and D2), Sensory testing (odor and taste) according to DIN 10955, Specific migration of ammonium ion and elements listed in Annex II of EU 10/2011, Specific migration of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) to simulant D2e (95% ethanol) with GC-MS screening analysis. When relevant, this general testing package can be combined with additional tests and test packages, such as: Specific migration tests of substances with specific migration limitations (SMLs), Specific migration of primary aromatic amines (PAAs), Extended screening analyses of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS).

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.

Test package for single-use nitrile gloves to assess food contact compliance (for all foodstuffs) according to Germany's BfR XX1/1 "Commodities based on natural and synthetic rubber in contact with food" (as of 01.09.2024) and Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004. The test package covers selected general requirements for nitrile rubber. Analysis to determine the specific migration of nitrile rubber monomers (i.e., acrylonitrile and 1,3-butadiene) is also included. The substances have specific migration reference (SMR) values defined in Table 1 of BfR XXI. The table below lists the covered parameters, test methods, and compliance requirements: Test parameter Simulant(s) Test method Requirement Overall migration 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid, olive oil EN 1186-1, -2, -3 ≤ 10 mg/dm2 Sensory analysis Water DIN 10955 No transfer of taste or odor Total transfer of zinc 3% acetic acid In-house ICP-MS ≤ 25 mg/kg of food Total transfer of aluminum 3% acetic acid In-house ICP-MS ≤ 1 mg/kg of food Total transfer of lead 3% acetic acid In-house ICP-MS ≤ 0.01 mg/kg of food Extractable primary aromatic amines 3% acetic acid In-house LC-MS/MS ≤ 0.002 mg/l of extract (per substance) Total transfer of formaldehyde 3% acetic acid In-house method ≤ 6 mg/kg of food Specific migration of butadiene olive oil In-house GC-MS/FID ≤ 0.01 mg/kg of food Specific migration of acrylonitrile 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid, olive oil In-house GC-MS/FID ≤ 0.01 mg/kg of food The following parameters are not included in the package, but they can be analyzed separately upon request: Colorfastness, Release of N-nitrosamines and nitrosatable substances, Release of secondary aliphatic amines, Transfer of antimicrobial components (EN 1104).

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.

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulant C shall be used to assess overall migration into alcoholic foods with an alcohol content of up to 20 % and those foods that contain a relevant amount of organic ingredients that render the food lipophilic. To comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). The lower end of the displayed price range applies to single-use materials and articles, while the higher one applies to repeated-use materials.

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into the food. According to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, food simulants D1 and D2 are assigned for foods that have a lipophilic character and are able to extract lipophilic substances. Food simulant D2 shall be used for foods that contain free fats at the surface. In order to comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). We offer testing for both single-use and repeated-use articles. Due to the destructive nature of simulant D2, repeated-use tests are carried out on three sets of sample material with varying exposure times.

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from the food contact material into the food. By convention, simulant D2e (95% ethanol) is used to simulate contact with fatty foods in cases where using simulant D2 (olive oil) is not technically feasible. 95% ethanol is also a suitable simulant for materials that are intended for the storage of ethyl alcohol. In case simulant D2e is used to substitute simulant D2, Regulation (EU) 10/2011 mandates using simulant D2i (isooctane) as well. When the migration temperature exceeds 100 °C, testing overall migration with simulant E (Tenax) is also needed. Tests with simulant D2i and simulant E are not included in the cost of this analysis. The contact temperature with simulant D2e is not allowed to exceed 60 °C. In addition, the simulant can cause swelling of certain types of polymers (PLA, ABS, PA, PET, HIPS, etc.), resulting in increased migration. Therefore, the migration conditions for this test should be chosen with care. To comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg).

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..

Overall migration (OM) is the sum of all the non-volatile compounds that migrate from a food contact material into food. By convention, simulant D2i (isooctane) is used to simulate contact with fatty foods in case simulant D2 (olive oil) is not technically feasible. In case simulant D2i is used to substitute simulant D2, Regulation (EU) 10/2011 mandates using simulant D2e (95% ethanol) as well. If the migration temperature exceeds 100 °C, testing overall migration with simulant E (Tenax) is mandated additionally. The contact temperature with simulant D2i is not allowed to exceed 60 °C. The simulant can also cause an overestimation of migration with polyolefins (e.g., PE, PP). Therefore, the migration conditions for this test should be chosen with care. The method expert will help choose the appropriate conditions, if necessary. To comply with Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 on plastic food contact materials, the overall migration must not exceed 10 mg/dm2 (or 60 mg/kg). This test is intended for repeat-use articles and materials and is repeated three times for the same article/sample. Compliance is evaluated from the 3rd migration.