Global and specific migration tests: ensuring packaging compliance
Global and specific migration tests are essential analyses to ensure that materials in contact with food or cosmetic products do not pose any risk to consumer health. These tests detect and quantify substances likely to be transferred from packaging, containers, or packaging devices to the final product. The objective is to ensure that these migrations remain within the limits authorized by current regulations, thus ensuring the compliance and health safety of the packaging used by manufacturers.
In Europe, these analyses are strictly regulated by specific regulations, including Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 for plastic materials intended for food contact, as well as the directives of the Public Health Code for cosmetic packaging. Other standards apply depending on the nature of the materials, such as requirements for printing inks, varnishes, and glues used in food packaging.
Why perform migration tests?
When a material comes into direct contact with a food or cosmetic product, it may, under certain conditions (heat, humidity, duration of exposure), release chemical components. This migration phenomenon can affect the composition of the product and, in some cases, represent a danger to human health. In order to anticipate these risks and ensure packaging compliance, two types of analyses are carried out in the laboratory:
- Overall Migration : This analysis measures the total amount of substances that can be released by the material when exposed to conditions simulating its actual use. It is carried out in different simulating media (aqueous, fatty, alcoholic, acidic) to reproduce possible interactions with food and cosmetics.
- Specific Migration : This test identifies and quantifies the presence of regulated substances, such as phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), heavy metals, aromatic amines , and certain solvents. It aims to verify that these compounds do not exceed authorized thresholds and do not pose a health risk.
Are you looking for an analysis?
What materials should be tested?
Migration testing covers a wide range of materials used in packaging and conditioning, including:
- Plastics and bioplastics (films, bottles, trays, lids)
- Cardboard and paper (food packaging, bags, labels)
- Glass and ceramics (pots, jars, cosmetic containers)
- Metals and alloys (tin cans, capsules, cans)
- Inks, varnishes and adhesives (used on packaging and labels)
Applications by sector
Food packaging
Checking for migration of plastics, cardboard, varnishes, printing inks and adhesives used in food packaging.
Cosmetic
Control of interactions between bottles, tubes, jars and their formulations (perfumes, creams, essential oils).
Agri-food
Tests on materials used in the processing and storage of food (plastic films, trays, bottles, cans).
Analyses in compliance with regulatory standards
YesWeLab provides its network of specialized laboratories to carry out global and specific migration tests in compliance with European and international standards, such as Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011, ISO 1186, EN 13130 and FDA 21 CFR . Our experts assist you in evaluating your materials, interpreting the results and optimizing your packaging to ensure their safety and regulatory compliance. Thanks to our expertise, you guarantee the safety of your materials and their compliance with current requirements.
Contact YesWeLab to find the right laboratory for your needs and secure your products.
Léa Géréec
Technical and scientific advisor
