Examinationmethods
Compliance status
The compliance status is a summary evaluation of the available information for food law assessment of the specified article and points out any open issues of compliance work.
SML (specific migration limit) analysis of individual substances for compliance assessment
Quantitative analysis of substances with limits (SML, SML(T), QM, QMA etc.) or non-evaluated substances by gas chromatography (e. g. HS-GC, GC/MS), liquid chromatography (e. g. HPLC/MS), mass spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-MS) in food simulants or foodstuffs after migration or (residual) content determination in the material or article.
10 ppb screening or NIAS screening (non-target analysis) semiquantitative
Semi-quantitative screening for the presence of NIAS (non-intentionally added substances) or some SML substances by GC/MS after migration with food simulant ethanol 95% for foods with hydrophilic or lipophilic properties or simulant E (poly(2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide or Tenax ®) for dry foods. In principle, substances with molecular weights of approx. 100 - 700 Dalton (or approx. 100 -700 g/mol) can be detected.
Overall migration acc. Reg. (EU) No 10/2011 standard test conditions (OM 0 - OM 7)
Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 (PIM)/DIN EN 1186 classical food simulants for all filling goods (no alternative tests like Isooctane testing):
A = Ethanol 10 % (v/v), B = Acetic acid 3 % (w/v), C= Ethanol 20 % (v/v), D1 = Ethanol 50 % (v/v), D2 = Vegetable oil, E = poly(2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide) (Tenax ®)
sensory analysis of packaging materials/transition of sensory perceptible substances to (test) foodstuffs
Organoleptic determination of the flavour transition (gustatory, olfactory and trigeminal sensations may be influenced by tactile, thermal, painful and/or kinaestesic effects) from packaging materials to standard test foodstuffs, commonly known as the "Robinson test", as well as change in appearance and odour of the (test) foodstuff.
Microbiological examination
Determination of total viabl count, yeasts and moulds resp. enterobacteria
Damage analysis/examination of complaints/preparation of expert reports
In many cases, it is not immediately obvious which kind of tests are necessary and reasonable for clarification. Furthermore, test results which are available in short time are often helpful for further decisions.
Our “diagnostic concept” provides the agreement of a limited budget (normally 700,- up to 1.000,- Euro) for the screening and evaluation of information already available as well as the realisation and assessment of first tests according to an agreed schedule. The result is a more detailed view of the damage, possible solutions and indications for additional and reasonable investigations and researches are given. You will receive first reliable test results and an appropriate documentation of the current situation at short notice and at a fixed price.
Information on the frequency of damage, time of detection, technical information such as material structure or test results already known are helpful for a successful processing as experience has shown. If available, please send us reference samples, data sheets, specifications.
Request for special tests
Here you can make a request for specific tests that you have not found in our test methods directory. We will be happy to investigate whether we can support you with regard to the requested examination.
Determination of thickness of plastic films, aluminium foils, plane multilayer-materials and sheets
Determination by mechanical scanning (accredited test method)
Surface resistance/resistivity
With circular electrode or polymeric blade electrode (Bayer electrode). Documentation in report as direct result (depending on electrode) and surface resistivity. Conditioning as agreed, measurements even under conditions deviating from the standard climate of 23°C/50% r. h. possible in climate chamber.
Gelboflextest/Brugger KFT
Wrinkle test in which a piece of film of approx. DIN A 4 size is cylindrically wrung up at an angle of max. 440 ° in the Brugger KFT tester.
Usually 100 cycles are performed, afterwards the sample is tested e. g. on hole formation, delamination, oxygen or water vapour transmission rate, optical density or the like. The base price includes the examination of max. 4 sheets over 100 cycles at an angle of max. 440 °. Other test conditions are available upon request, calculation according to time spent. Minimum sample size 280 mm x 200 mm.
Storage test/accelerated ageing in lab drying oven or refrigerator (controlled temperature)
Storage tests with or without filling good for estimating the long-term stability of materials and packages. The storage tests, depending on the requirements, could be carried out in lab drying oven (convection), refrigerator, explosion-protected heating chamber (e. g. solvent-based media, T1 - T3 max. 105 °C; T 4 max. 70 °C), climate chamber (humidity and temperature controlled, temperature and humidity cycles possible). Please select the appropriate method to avoid unnecessary costs.
Tests according to this method serve to accelerate the estimation of material ageing, e.g. also with regard to resistance to chemicals, foodstuffs or other filling materials for long-term applications. This is an assessment of purely technical aspects. For the assessment of food law conformity, please refer to the relevant legal regulations. For initial sampling, we strongly recommend parallel testing under real storage conditions to validate the validity of accelerated ageing tests.
To prepare an offer, we need the following details/information:
What type of packaging is to be tested (size, filling volume)?
How many packages are to be stored?
Are the packages empty or do they have to be emptied before testing?
What kind of filling material is involved (CAS No./Safety Data Sheet)?
How long should the packages be stored?
Under which ambient conditions should the packages be stored (temperature, controlled relative humidity)?
Dimensions and repeating patterns on pouches, bags etc.
Dimensions like width, length, side gusset depth on bags, reels, packagings, repeat measurements, with calibrated metal measuring stick n = 5
Curling or flatness
The curling of sheet materials depends generally on temperature and conditioning state. So multilayer materials made of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion or unequal expansion/shrinkage due to deviating hygroscopic tendency may tend to curl caused by a kind of bi-metall effect. In addition to that excessive mechanical stress in the processing of rolls can lead ot curling.
Fat permeability/fat density
Testing of paper, coated paper or plastic films with dyed palm kernel fat. The sample is coated with the test fat on the test side, then the glass plate and, if necessary, additional weights are placed on top. After the exposure time has elapsed, the fat passages with a size of up to 1 mm visible to the naked eye on the display paper within the defined test area are evaluated. If only fat penetrations up to 1.0 mm are observed, the test is considered to have been passed; in the case of fat penetrations with a size above 1 mm, the test is to be carried out under a more moderate test condition (a "worse" fat permeability group).
Curvature of films
This method is used to measure the curvature of a flat film in relation to the longitudinal direction. This so-called curvature can be the result of an aslope bubble during the blown film process, for example. The film then tends to have lobed edges on the reels or to wrinkle during lamination. We will be happy to send you our test specification on request.
Water absorption of paper/Cobb test
DIN EN ISO 535
Blocking test/blocking strength
Testing the blocking tendency of plane packaging materials, in dependence on temperature T [°C], pressure p [MPa] and time t [h]. The evaluation is carried out either by manual test or by determining of blocking force Fmax [N] in a shear test using a tensile tester.
If the sample is to be tested under several conditions, please create the test accordingly several times with the respective parameter settings.
Drop test of bags and pouches
Drop test of the pouches or bags or strength of the closure system of drawstring bags per test load, standard n = 10 (testing of n = 30 bags: extra charge).
Film construction/material characterisation - Analysis package at a fixed price
Qualitative characterisation of plastic films, laminates and plastic products concerning layer construction and basic materials, excepting adhesives, tie layers, inorganic coatings, e.g. metallisations. Methods: DSC screening (- 20 up to 300 °C/2 heating runs) of the material as received, microtome cut to determine and display visible layers and layer thicknesses, determination of the material class of the individual layers with FTIR spectroscopy; Beilstein test for presence of chlorine. Additional tests available by arrangement.
VA content determination in E/VA copolymers
Detemination by IR spectroscopy in combination with thermal analysis DSC.
Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of plastic films, laminates, coated papers, Alufoils, etc.
Coulombmetric (oxygen specific) carrier gas method Method (Ametek/ Mocon). Usually deviating from the standard as a double determination
Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of packages, pouches, moulded parts, bottles, etc. (only suitable for barrier materials, see also "i")
The measurement is carried out using the coulommetric, oxygen-specific carrier gas method.
Attention: This is only suitable for packages with a good oxygen barrier. Materials with high permeation coefficients, such as PP, PE or PS cups cannot be measured because the permeation is too high.
Water Vapour Transmission Rate (WVTR) of moulded parts, packages, pouches, bottles, etc. (only suitable for barrier materials, see also "i")
The measurement is carried out by using the the water vapor specific hydrolysis method, which allows to detect even the lowest permeabilities precisely and reproducibly. Besides the standard parameters offered, measurements can be carried out under a wide variety of temperature and humidity conditions.
Attention: This method is only suitable for packs with a good water vapour barrier. Materials with high permeation coefficients, e.g. PA, thermoplastic starch or PLA, cannot be measured due to excessive permeation.
Tightness, leakage test/pores/micro-holes/defects
These tests are used to locate defects, leaks, micro-holes (pinholes), leakages and so on in packagings, pouches, bags and films. Depending on the problem and material, various methods are used, e.g. gas detection, dye penetration, chemical copper deposition, resistance against water or visual inspection on standardized light box. Please do not hesitate to contact us, we will be pleased to assist you in selecting a suitable method for your questions.
To submit an offer, we need the following information:
What kind of packaging should be tested (size, filling volume)?
How many packages should be stored?
Are the packages empty or do they have to be emptied before testing?
Which contents are involved (CAS no./safety data sheet)?
Carbondioxyde transmission (CO2 TR) rate of plastic films, laminates, coated papers, Alufoils, etc.
Testing performed with the manometric method acc. DIN 53380 T 2 resp. ISO 15105-1 (Brugger-method), also comparable to ASTM D 1434-procedure M. Usually deviating from the standard as a double determination.
Determination of (residual) oxygen and carbon dioxide content in ready-made packages
(Residual) oxygen and carbon dioxide content in sealed containers of any kind provided with modified gas atmosphere (MAP), e. g. cups, bottles, pouches, trays. The testing can be carried out with filled as well as empty packages. The method is not suitable for testing vacuum packages. Basic price, measurement of 5 emptied and cleaned packages included, additional measurements according to time.
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