Paper and board materials and articles are manufactured from cellulose-based natural fibers both bleached and unbleached, from both primary and recycled sources. In addition, paper and board materials may contain man-made fibers (regenerated or synthetic cellulose), functional additives and other treatment agents, polymeric binders for organic and inorganic pigments and plastic films. Paper and board articles may contain, in addition, inks, varnishes, coatings, adhesives and plastic films used during the conversion process. Thus, paper and board materials involve wide range possible option, among others:
- Untreated paper and board,
- Coated papers:
- coated with polymeric dispersions (without mineral fillers),
- mineral coated including polymeric binders and waxes,
- Tissue products, non-printed, printed and dyed, intended for wiping and absorption, like kitchen towels and napkins with only occasional and short time contact,
- Multi-Material-Multi-Layer materials formed by extrusion or lamination of paper and board with other materials,
- Paper and board for filtering and baking applications,
- Papers siliconized or treated with wax,
- Converted articles made of paper and board – i.e., printed, unprinted and glued bags or boxes.
Food packaging materials made from paper and board are not covered by harmonized European legislation today. Nevertheless, such food contact materials are also covered by the scope of Framework Regulation EC (No.) 1935/2004 and have to fulfil the requirements of Article 3. To prove the suitability of this kind of material with the requirements of the Framework Regulation, other requirements, guidelines and documents can be used as reference, such as:
- Resolution CM/Res(2020)9 on the safety and quality of materials and articles for contact with food,
- EDQM technical guide “Paper and board used in food contact materials and articles”, 1st Edition, 2021,
- CEPI, ‘Food Contact Guidelines for the Compliance of Paper and Board Materials and Articles’, 2019 & February 2021 corrigendum,
- Germany: BfR Recommendations for paper and board:
XXXVI. Paper and board for food contact
XXXVI/1. Cooking Papers, Hot Filter Papers and Filter Layers
XXXVI/2. Paper and Paperboard for Baking Purposes;
- French legislation on FCM: DGCCRF, “Aptitude au contact alimentaire des matériaux organiques à base de fibres végétales destinés à entrer en contact avec des denrées alimentaires”;
- Netherlands: Dutch legislation on FCM “Warenwetregeling verpakkingen en gebruiksartikelen”;
- USA Food & Drug Administration CFR Title 21, Subpart B “Substances for Use Only as Components of Paper and Paperboard” – section 176.170 “Components of paper and paperboard in contact with aqueous and fatty foods” and section 176.180 “Components of paper and paperboard in contact with dry food”.
At J.S. Hamilton, we conduct the following tests for paper and board packaging and materials:
- determination of the grammage, moisture content,
- dry matter in the Water Extract,
- heavy metals in accordance with Directive 94/62/EC,
- metals in water extract,
- formaldehyde, Pentachlorophenol (PCB), Glyoxal, Anthraquinone,
- Primary Aromatic Amines,
- Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB),
- Bisphenols A, B, F, S,
- phthalates,
- Aromatic Ketones,
- PFAS (perfluoroalkylated substances),
- epichlorohydrin hydrolysis products, chloropropanols: 1,3-DCP and 3-MCPD,
- isothiazolinones (CIT, MIT, BIT),
- Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs),
- Mineral Oils (MOSH and MOAH) content and specific migration,
- Non-Intentionally Added Substances (NIAS) Screenings by methods: GC-MS/FID, LC-QToF-MS, Headsapace-GC/MS,
- Transfer of Antimicrobial Constituents,
- Determination of the Fastness of Whitened Paper and Board, EN 648,
- colorfastness, EN 646,
- sensory analysis in accordance with DIN 10955, EN 1230-1/-2,
- specific migration of printing inks compounds,
- Extraction Tests According to the FDA Regulations (Sec. 176.170);
- testing under Toys Directive (EN 71 standards) and RoHS.
Contact us today to schedule any of these tests for your products – or to learn more about our offer for the manufacturers of paper and board packaging and contact materials.
