Examinationmethods
Conformity Status
The conformity status is a summing up and evaluation of the available information concerning food regulatory assessment of the specified article. It identifies, where required, open issues of compliance work.
SML (specific migration limit) analysis of individual substances for compliance evaluation
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.
Residual solvents determination
DIN EN 13628-2 (industrial method), Headspace gas chromatography FID, multi-method, listing of solvents: methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, cyclohexane, acetone, benzene, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), 1-methoxy-2-propanol, toluene, n-propyl acetate, 1-ethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methoxy -1-butanol, isododecane, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, 3-butoxy-2-propanol, diacetone alcohol, acetylacetone
Slip agent content in polyolefines, EA (Erucamide) and OA (oleamide), qualitative and quantitative
Slip agents based on fatty acid amides, such as Erucamide and oleamide, are among the most commonly used additives, particularly in polyethylene and polypropylene films. Analysis by GC-MS after solvent extraction, limit of detection ESA 220 ppm, OESA 120 ppm. Lower limits and other materials on request.
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.
Damage analysis/ analysis of complaints
In many cases, it is not immediately obvious which kind of tests are necessary and reasonable for the 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 realization 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 the anomalies ,point in time of recognition, technical information such as material structure, yet present test results are known to be helpful for successfully examination. If available, please send us reference samples, data sheets, specifications.
Determination of thickness of plastic films, aluminium foils, plane multilayer-materials and sheets
Determination by mechanical scanning (accredited test method)
storage test/ accelerated aging 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 by this method are common for accelerated assessment of material aging for long-term applications, also in terms of resistance against chemicals, foodstuffs or other filling goods. The assesment looks purely on technical aspects, for the assessment of compliance with food legislation is referred to relevant legal requuirements. Nevbermind, we strongly recommend parallel tests under real storage conditions to validate the meaningfulness of accelerated aging tests.
To prepare an offer we need the following information:
What type 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)?
How long should the packages be stored?
Under what 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
weathering test/ light fastness- exposure to laboratory light sources or artificial weathering/UV- test
DIN EN ISO 4892-2; with filtered xenon arc lamp, sample area max. 240 x 400 mm²); with water sprinkling (water spray) or dry. Also possible is the determination of light fastness, e.g. from printink inks or coloured materials, acc. DIN ISO 12040 bluescale (wool standard)/ fastness level 1-8.
curling or flatness
The curl of sheet materials depends generally on temperature and conditioning state. So multilayer materials produced by usage of materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion or unequal expansion/ shrinkage due to differing 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 cause curl.
penetrability of fat/ fat- proof test
Testing of paper, coated paper or plastic films with pigmented palm kernel fat. The sample is covered on the test surface with the test fat and then the glass pane and, if necessary, additional weights are placed on top.At the end of the exposure time, the grease spots up to 1 mm in size, visible to the naked eye on the display paper within the defined test area, are evaluated. If only grease spots up to 1,0 mm are observed, the test is considered to have been passed; in the case of grease spots larger than 1,0 mm, the test has to be performed with a more moderate test condition (a "poorer" grease permeability group).
Blocking test/ blocking strength
Test of the blocking tendency of plane packaging materials, in dependence of temperature T [°C], pressure p [MPa] and time t [h]. The evaluation is carried out either by manual test or by determination of blocking force Fmax [N] by shear test with tensile tester.
If the sample should by tested under several test conditions separately, please create multiple tests for each test parameter setting.
Microtome section/ cross-sectional image
Cross section of films, moulded forms, sealed seams etc., thickness determination of visible layers included,with reflected or transmitted light microscope (accredited test method).
gloss
Reflectometer value for the determination of the gloss unit. The measuring angle depends on the surface of the sample (measuring angle: high glossy: 20°, medium glossy 60°, matte:85°).
Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) plastic films, laminates, coated papers and aluminium foils
Measurement is performed using the water vapor specific hydrolysis method.
Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of plastic films, laminates, coated papers, Alufoils, etc.
Coulombmetric (oxygen specific) carrier gas method Method (Ametek/ Mocon).
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.
Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), gravimetric test
Gravimetric determination of WVTR acc. DIN 53122 or DIN 12572/12086. We recommend the measurement by hydrolysis method acc. ISO 15106-3 (hist DIN 53122-2). If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Nitrogen transmission rate (N2 TR) 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.
Permeation (air, methane, helium, argon, others on request) of plastic films, laminates, coated papers, Alufoils
The method enables permeation measurement of permanent gases according to the non-selective manometric method. The measurement is only possible with dry gas (0% relative humidity).
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