<\/span><\/h3>\nPlastic packaging is not homogeneous, since structure, coatings, inks and layer composition change migration behavior<\/strong> and analytical needs.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/span>Multilayer laminates (including functional barriers)<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Considerations:<\/strong> Multilayers commonly include barrier layers (EVOH, PA), adhesives, tie layers <\/strong>and outer layers printed <\/strong>or coated with pigments\/inks<\/strong>. Inner food-contact layers may be thin, and migrants can originate from outer layers or adhesives and diffuse through barrier layers under certain conditions. Functional barriers may slow or prevent migration but cannot be assumed impermeable without evidence<\/strong>.<\/li>\n
- Testing implications:<\/strong> Entire articles must be considered<\/strong>. If a plastic layer is in direct contact with food, the material (and potentially other layers) is subject to the plastics regulation testing requirements; adhesives and inks that can migrate into the food must be included in risk assessment and testing. Worst-case geometries and contact areas must be used, and testing may be needed to simulate actual construction<\/strong> (e.g., filled pouches or cups) rather than flat coupons.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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![\"Multilayer](\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Multilayer-laminates-e1763560754828.png\")
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<\/span>Rigid Plastics (Bottles, Trays, Containers)<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Considerations:<\/strong> Rigid articles often have lower surface-area-to-volume ratios<\/strong> but can pose migration risks when used for hot-filled products, or when exposure involves repeated use and washing (repeated migration may differ from single-use behavior).<\/li>\n
- Testing:<\/strong> Ensure test conditions replicate the real article (fill tests for bottles, immersion for trays). For repeated-use articles, migration testing sometimes requires multiple consecutive migration cycles<\/strong> to reflect accumulation or exhaustion behavior.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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![\"Rigid](\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Rigid-Plastics-1024x768.png\")
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<\/span>Plastics With Inks \/ Barriers \/ Coatings (even if not in direct contact)<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\nIf the packaging contains inks, coatings or barrier layers and any plastic layer<\/strong> that could reasonably affect the food (i.e., is in direct contact or can migrate through), it must be assessed as a plastic FCM under 10\/2011 (the presence of inks on the outside does not automatically exclude<\/strong> migration potential<\/strong>). Inks and coatings are common sources of NIAS (residual monomers, pigment impurities) or other substances (primary aromatic amines, solvents and photoinitiators) and must be included in the supply-chain information exchange and testing plan.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
![\"Plastics](\"https:\/\/www.packlab.gr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plastics-With-Inks-Barriers-Coatings-1024x768.png\")
<\/strong><\/h3>\n <\/p>\n
<\/span> Practical Considerations & Best Practices<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\nThis section focuses on practical steps<\/strong> companies should take so migration testing is meaningful, defensible and aligned with EU Regulations.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/span>Detection Limits and Sensitivity<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Why it matters:<\/strong> Specific migration limits (SMLs) and toxicological thresholds may be very low (\u03bcg\/kg range for certain genotoxic impurities). A lab\u2019s limits of quantification (LOQ)<\/strong> must be below the applicable regulatory threshold (or low enough that non-quantified means \u201cbelow SML\u201d). You may ask labs to report LOD (detection)\/LOQ (quantification) alongside reported concentrations.<\/li>\n
- What to request:<\/strong> Method LOD\/LOQ, calibration range, and whether the lab\u2019s methods are appropriate for the specific SML in question. For NIAS screening, confirm the lab\u2019s mass spectrometer resolution and library coverage. Accreditation and participation in proficiency tests are good indicators of capability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/span>Choosing Accredited Laboratories<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n\n- Accreditation:<\/strong> Prefer laboratories accredited to ISO\/IEC 17025<\/strong> for migration testing and the specific analytical methods (GC-MS, LC-MS, ICP-MS). Accreditation supports traceability and confidence in results. You can ask for scope of accreditation and for evidence of participation in inter-laboratory comparisons for migration tests (proficiency testing), as mentioned earlier.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- Practical checks:<\/strong> Request recent method LOD\/LOQ, example reports, and whether the lab understands EU test cases (EN 1186-1, EU 10\/2011). Confirm they can analyze metals (ICP), PAAs and NIAS using GC-MS\/LC-MS as needed.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/span>Impact of Temperature, Storage and Use-conditions<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\nBefore requesting any analysis, decide and share the worst-case scenario with your lab, by providing the exact or conservative maximum storage temperature, intended shelf life, whether the food is fatty or acidic, filling temperature (e.g., hot fill), and whether the article is reusable\/washable. Migration is strongly temperature and time-dependent. Additionally, test conditions in (EU) 10\/2011 are tied to intended uses. Labs<\/strong> cannot choose appropriate test conditions without this information<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
<\/span>Standard Practice (current industry baseline)<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\nFor plastic FCMs the commonly accepted baseline of tests includes:<\/p>\n
\n- Overall migration (global migration)<\/strong> per Regulation (EU) No 10\/2011 and EN 1186 guidance (appropriate simulants and worst-case conditions)<\/li>\n
- Specific migration of metals<\/strong> (ICP techniques) for metals included in Annex II of (EU) 10\/2011<\/li>\n
- Specific migration of Primary Aromatic Amines (PAAs)<\/strong> where azo dyes\/pigments and aromatic adhesives (e.g. 2-component polyurethane) are present. These substances are also included in Annex II of (EU) 10\/2011<\/li>\n
- NIAS screening<\/strong> (GC-MS)<\/strong> for volatile and semi-volatile NIAS (most volatile codes) and LC-MS<\/strong> for non-volatile NIAS\/oligomers<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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