Testing conditions for kitchenware articles in contact with foodstuffs: Plastics, Metals, Silicone and Rubber, Paper & Board
The European Union Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials (EURL-FCM) and the National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) of the network have agreed on a set of test conditions, i.e. contact temperature and contact time, to ensure the comparability of measurement results reported in the frame of the implementation of official controls for FCM (Regulation (EU) 2017/625).
The comprehensive tables included in this fourth version of the kitchenware report replace the relevant sections in JRC's “Guidelines on Testing Conditions for Articles In Contact With Foodstuffs (With a Focus on Kitchenware)" of 2009 (https://europa.eu/!RH66Bd), and the first three versions of the report published in 2019-2021.
Beldi, G., Senaldi, C., Robouch, P. and Hoekstra, E., Testing conditions for kitchenware articles in contact with foodstuffs: plastics metals, silicone and rubber, paper and board, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2023, doi:10.2760/80698, JRC134290
Guidelines on test conditions for kitchenware
Please note that this guideline is under revision from 2019. The tables in section 8.5 are updated and are published separately in this section.
Comparability of results is the most important feature of the measurements for official controls purposes. Reliability of results is in turn strongly dependent on test conditions, on how well a method performs and how it is performed by the laboratory. This guide contains practical information to define the parameters of an overall or specific migration test according to the nature of the materials and objects in contact with food, with a focus on kitchenware. This focus was chosen because kitchenware is typically placed in contact with food at home and thus the definition of worst foreseeable conditions of use is a challenge. This guide is intended as a dynamic document and therefore will evolve and expand into further editions to cover more aspects.
Simoneau C. (2009) Guidelines on Testing Conditions for Articles In Contact With Foodstuffs (With A Focus on Kitchenware) - A EURL-NRL-FCM Publication, 1st Edition. Publication Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, JRC Scientific and Technical Report, EUR 23814 EN
Guideline on testing migration of primary aromatic amines from polyamide utensils and for formaldehyde from melamine-based kitchenware in support of Regulation (EU) No 284/2011 on imports from China and Hong-Kong
Please note that although the Commission Regulation 284/2011 is in force the test conditions mentioned in this guidance are replaced by those in the above mentioned guidance "Testing conditions for kitchenware articles in contact with foodstuffs: plastics metals, silicone and rubber, paper and board".
For the conception of a specific Regulation on imports of certain plastic kitchenware from China and Hong-Kong targeting polyamide and melamine-based kitchen utensils, the role of the EURL-NRL network was to develop specific technical guidelines on sampling and analytical requirements. This work was a pioneering effort giving guidance on sampling of heterogeneous articles and differentiating between types of consignments. The harmonisation of sampling is extremely critical and has its effect on reliability of results and ultimately trust in the ensuing legal decisions for non-compliant articles both under the Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 on official feed and food controls and under this new Regulation.
Simoneau C., Hoekstra E., Bradley E., Busto J., Golja V., Kappenstein O., Kalsbeek D., Keegan J., Milana M.R., Cwiek-Ludwicka K., Petersen J.H., Polz M., Sauvegrain P., Vanhee F. (2011) Technical guidelines on testing the migration of primary aromatic amines from polyamide kitchenware and of formaldehyde from melamine kitchenware - in support of Commission Regulation 284/2011 laying down specific conditions and detailed procedures for the import of polyamide and melamine plastic kitchenware originating in or consigned from People's Republic of China and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. 1st edition 2011. Office for Official Publications of the European Union, JRC Scientific and Technical Report, EUR 24815 EN