Method collection for paper, cardboard and paperboard

The “Method collection for testing paper, cardboard and paperboard for food contact” complements the database External Link:BfR Recommendations on food contact materials with analytical methods.

The analytical methods enable manufacturers, users and food control authorities to use standardized methods to check whether the paper, cardboard and paperboard intended to come into contact with food comply with the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommendations on food contact materials. 

The database BfR recommendations on food contact materials

The database BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment recommendations on food contact materials also includes the assessment of paper, cardboard and paperboard that comes into contact with food. In addition to the substances tested from a health perspective, these recommendations specify further conditions that food contact materials made of paper, cardboard and paperboard must meet. If papers are manufactured in accordance with these recommendations, they meet the requirements for food contact materials to be considered safe for human health in accordance with the requirements of article 3, paragraph 1 a of Regulation (EC) 1935/2004.

The method collection “Testing of paper, cardboard and paperboard for food contact”

The method collection “Testing of paper, cardboard and paperboard for food contact” has its origins in the collection of methods first published in 1977, compiled by Erich Petermann. The BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment updates and supplements it on an ongoing basis.

The methods contained in the database were compiled by the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment in cooperation with the External Link:BfR Commission for Consumer Products and the Association of German Paper Manufacturers (Verband Deutscher Papierfabriken e.V.).

The collection of methods also contains so-called multi-methods. These are methods tested in several official laboratories for the determination of individual groups of substances from paper, cardboard, and paperboard intended to come into contact with food.

Substances that are no longer listed in the database External Link:BfR recommendations for food contact materials due to changes in legal requirements are no longer included in the collection of methods.

External Link:Testing of substance transfers from consumer articles made of paper, cardboard and paperboard

The Guideline for “Testing substance transfers from consumer articles made of paper, cardboard and paperboard” provides assistance in selecting suitable methods for simulating substance transfer, which can be found in Chapter 1 “General methods for testing paper, cardboard and paperboard”.

The PDF documents of the method are currently only available in German.

1. External Link:General methods for testing paper, cardboard, and paperboard
2. External Link:General methods for testing paper quality
3. External Link:Determination of metallic elements
4. External Link:Determination of heteroelements
5. External Link:Determination of individual substances
6. External Link:Testing of recycled paper
7. External Link:Multimethods - Methods for individual substance groups that have been tested in several laboratories
8. External Link:Methods that are no longer included