3rd February 2022: Ecol Studio is the first laboratory in Italy accredited for the technical standard UNI/TS 11788:2020.
Ecol Studio is the first laboratory in Italy accredited for the technical standard UNI/TS 11788:2020.
The method can be considered a tool for a preliminary assessment of food contact materials and objects (FCMs), with the aim in particular to verify the presence of organic compounds and the possible transfer of substances to food.
Chemicals’ migration risk in FCMs
Article 3 of Regulation (EC) N° 1935/2004 states that materials and articles, including active and intelligent materials and articles, shall be manufactured in compliance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) so that, under normal or foreseeable conditions of use, they do not transfer their constituents to food in quantities which could:
(a) endanger human health; or
(b) bring about an unacceptable change in the composition of the food; or
(c) bring about a deterioration in the organoleptic characteristics thereof.
Regulation (EC) N° 2023/2006 on Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) states that the materials and articles listed in Annex I to Regulation (EC) N° 1935/2004 and combinations of those materials and articles or recycled materials and articles used in those materials and articles should be manufactured in compliance with general and detailed rules on good manufacturing practice (GMP).
Printing inks and set-off risk
Furthermore, " Printing inks applied to the non food-contact side of materials and articles shall be formulated and/or applied in such a manner that substances from the printed surface are not transferred to the food-contact side".
The set-off occurs when FCMs on which printing inks have been applied are stacked on top of each other or when they are on reels. Under these conditions, the inks can transfer to the side of the article intended for contact with food and, therefore, migrate to the food, representing a risk to the health of consumers.
What does the UNI/TS 11788:2020 apply to?
The technical standard UNI/TS 11788:2020 is an efficient tool for evaluate the finished product, the production process and the set-off in order to ensure that any substances present on the printed surface is not transferred to the side in contact with foodstuffs.
The method shall be applicable for flexible packaging, paper and board packaging and rigid plastic packaging.
Ecol Studio
Ecol Studio is a company of Lifeanalytics Group specialising in laboratory analysis, consulting and training.
It successfully operates in the fields of product quality, environmental analysis and occupational safety with distinctive skills in services and markets, offering innovative, customised products and punctual solutions with high added value. Since 1982 Ecol Studio has been a strategic partner for companies and supports the growth of its customers in policy implementation aimed at sustainable development.
Ecol Studio is an international point of reference for food contact materials in paper and board and other materials.
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