Specific release of elements from metals and alloys - CM/Res(2020)9

Specific release of elements from metals and alloys intended for food contact according to European Quality Council for Medicines and Healthcare (EQDM) technical guide "Metals and Alloys used in Food Contact Materials and Articles, 2nd edition". The technical guide supplements the Council of Europe (CoE) Resolution CM/Res(2020)9 on the safety and quality of materials and articles for contact with food.

According to the resolution, specific release testing is performed using either 0.5% citric acid solution or artificial tap water prepared according to DIN 10531. The test is performed three times in succession, and compliance is evaluated based on the third migration. In addition, the sum of the first two migrations should not exceed the allowed exposure of one week of daily use (i.e., 7 x SRL, specific release limit).

This test also covers the requirements of the Nordic Council of Ministers (Norden) guideline TemaNord 2015:522 for metals and alloys intended for food contact.

The analysis includes the following metal and alloy components:

• Aluminium (Al)

• Antimony (Sb)

• Chromium (Cr)

• Cobalt (Co)

• Copper (Cu)

• Iron (Fe)

• Magnesium (Mg)

• Manganese (Mn)

• Molybdenum (Mo)

• Nickel (Ni)

• Silver (Ag)

• Tin (Sn)

• Titanium (Ti)

• Vanadium (V)

• Zinc (Zn)

• Zirconium (Zr)

As well as the following contaminants:

• Arsenic (As)

• Barium (Ba)

• Beryllium (Be)

• Cadmium (Cd)

• Lead (Pb)

• Lithium (Li)

• Mercury (Hg)

• Thallium (Tl)