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.
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, erucamide (EA) and oleamide (OA), 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/examination of complaints
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.
Determination of thickness of plastic films, aluminium foils, plane multilayer-materials and sheets
Determination by mechanical scanning (accredited test method)
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/lightfastness - artificial irradiation in the laboratory device/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. It is also possible to determine the light fastness, e.g. of printing inks or dyed materials, according to the so-called wool scale (light fastness scale according to DIN ISO 12040 fastness level 1-8).
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)?
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).
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.
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.
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 measurement
Reflectometer measurement to determine the degree of gloss. The measuring angle depends on the surface of the sample (measuring angle: high glossy: 20°, medium glossy: 60°, matt glossy: 85°).
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
Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) plastic films, laminates, coated papers and aluminium foils
Measurement is performed using the water vapor specific hydrolysis method. Usually deviating from the standard as a double determination.
Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), gravimetric test
Gravimetric determination of WVTR. 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.
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.
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. Usually deviating from the standard as a double determination.
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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