EN 1186 Overall Migration Testing of Food Contact Plastic Wraps
The CEN standard EN 1186 provides a comprehensive set of requirements and test methods to ensure the safety of plastic films, sheets, and wraps used in food contact applications. This service focuses on Overall Migration Testing as per the standard's stringent criteria.
The overall migration testing aims to determine the transfer of substances from the material into the foodstuffs during storage or use. It is a critical step in ensuring that plastic wraps and covers do not contribute to food contamination, thus maintaining consumer safety. This service applies to household wraps such as cling films, bakery sheets, and other similar products.
The testing process involves several stages including preliminary migration tests, packaging tests, and final overall migration tests. The standard is designed to cover a wide range of materials used in the production of these food contact plastics, ensuring that all potential harmful substances are identified and controlled.
For quality managers, compliance officers, R&D engineers, and procurement personnel involved in the development and supply chain management of household wraps, this service ensures regulatory compliance with international standards. The testing process is crucial to prevent any adverse health effects on consumers who come into contact with these products.
The service adheres strictly to EN 1186, which includes detailed test procedures and acceptance criteria that must be met for the plastic wrap to pass as safe for food contact. These criteria are based on scientific evidence and risk assessment principles, ensuring that any potential hazards are identified and mitigated before the product reaches the market.
The overall migration testing process involves several steps:
- Preparation of the test specimens in accordance with EN 1186
- Carrying out preliminary migration tests to identify any potential harmful substances
- Conducting packaging tests to simulate real-world storage conditions
- Performing final overall migration tests to assess the total migration of substances into the foodstuffs
The testing process is rigorous and involves the use of specialized equipment to ensure accurate results. The service provider uses state-of-the-art analytical techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for precise analysis.
The acceptance criteria for passing the overall migration test are based on international standards, including limits set by CEN and other relevant bodies. These limits ensure that any substances transferred from the plastic wrap to foodstuffs do not exceed safe levels as determined by scientific research.
The testing process is crucial in maintaining consumer confidence and trust in household wraps used in food contact applications. It ensures that products comply with legal requirements and international standards, thereby protecting public health and safety.
| Test Stage | Description | Acceptance Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Migration Test | Determine the transfer of substances from the plastic wrap to foodstuffs. | Substances must not exceed safe levels as set by CEN and other relevant bodies. |
| Simulate real-world storage conditions for the plastic wrap. | Ensure that any potential harmful substances do not reach unsafe levels during storage. | |
| Final Overall Migration Test | Assess total migration of substances into foodstuffs. | Total migration must not exceed the limits set by CEN and other relevant bodies. |
The testing process is not only about ensuring compliance with legal requirements but also about maintaining a high standard of product quality. The service provider ensures that all tests are conducted in accordance with the latest versions of EN 1186, and any updates or amendments to the standard are incorporated into the testing protocol.
Applied Standards
The service adheres strictly to CEN standard EN 1186, which is widely recognized as the gold standard in food contact plastic testing. This standard ensures that all tests are conducted with precision and accuracy, providing reliable results that can be trusted by quality managers, compliance officers, R&D engineers, and procurement personnel.
EN 1186 covers a wide range of plastic materials used in household wraps and covers, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and others. The standard provides detailed test procedures for each material type, ensuring that all potential hazards are identified and controlled.
The application of EN 1186 is not limited to household wraps but extends to other food contact plastics such as containers, packaging films, and trays. This ensures a comprehensive approach to food safety in the food industry.
Scope and Methodology
The scope of EN 1186 Overall Migration Testing covers all plastic wraps and covers used in household applications where direct contact with food is expected. This includes but is not limited to cling films, bakery sheets, and other similar products.
The methodology for conducting the overall migration test involves several key steps:
- Preparation of Test Specimens: The plastic wrap is prepared in accordance with EN 1186 specifications. This includes cutting the wrap into appropriate sizes and shapes to ensure accurate testing.
- Preliminary Migration Tests: These tests are conducted to identify any potential harmful substances that may migrate from the plastic wrap to foodstuffs. The results of these tests guide the subsequent packaging and overall migration tests.
: Real-world storage conditions are simulated to ensure that the plastic wrap does not release harmful substances during storage or use. These tests help identify any potential issues that may arise under real-world conditions. - Final Overall Migration Test: This test assesses the total migration of substances into foodstuffs, ensuring that all potential hazards are identified and controlled. The results of this test determine whether the plastic wrap meets the acceptance criteria set by EN 1186.
The testing process is rigorous and involves the use of specialized equipment to ensure accurate results. The service provider uses state-of-the-art analytical techniques such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for precise analysis.
The acceptance criteria for passing the overall migration test are based on international standards, including limits set by CEN and other relevant bodies. These limits ensure that any substances transferred from the plastic wrap to foodstuffs do not exceed safe levels as determined by scientific research.
The testing process is crucial in maintaining consumer confidence and trust in household wraps used in food contact applications. It ensures that products comply with legal requirements and international standards, thereby protecting public health and safety.
Quality and Reliability Assurance
The service provider places a strong emphasis on quality and reliability assurance in the overall migration testing of food contact plastic wraps. This is achieved through several key measures:
- Use of State-of-the-Art Equipment: The service provider uses the latest analytical equipment such as gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to ensure accurate results.
- Adherence to International Standards: All tests are conducted in accordance with the latest versions of EN 1186, ensuring compliance with international standards.
- Continuous Quality Improvement: The service provider continuously monitors and improves its testing processes to ensure that all tests are conducted with precision and accuracy.
The service provider also ensures that any updates or amendments to the standard are incorporated into the testing protocol. This guarantees that the service remains up-to-date and relevant, providing reliable results that can be trusted by quality managers, compliance officers, R&D engineers, and procurement personnel.
The use of state-of-the-art equipment and adherence to international standards ensures that all tests are conducted with precision and accuracy, providing reliable results. Continuous quality improvement measures ensure that the service remains up-to-date and relevant, providing reliable results that can be trusted by all stakeholders involved in the food contact plastic industry.
