Introduction to EU packaging directive
Old Directive 94 / 62 / EC
As early as 1994, EU member states have issued packaging and packaging waste (94 / 62 / EC, 2004 / 12 / EC). The purpose of this directive is to ensure that packaging is suitable for re collection, reuse and recycling and promote energy recovery; Try to minimize the toxicity and risk of packaging and its impact on the environment; Minimize the weight and volume of packaging waste.
New directive 2013 / 2 / EU
On 7 February 2013, the EU issued directive 2013 / 2 / EU in the official gazette to amend Annex I of the 94 / 62 / EC Directive on packaging and packaging waste. This Directive shall enter into force 20 days after its publication in the official gazette.
In February 2013 / EU, Annex I (illustrative examples of the definition of packaging in Article 3.1 of the EU packaging and Packaging Waste Directive) of 94 / 62 / EC was revised, and 19, 4 and 2 illustrative examples were added to the example guidelines (I), (II) and (III) of revised Annex I respectively. These illustrative example lists clarify the boundaries between packaging and non packaging. Although the EU packaging directive has been revised many times, the requirements for the management of hazardous substances in packaging materials have not changed.
Control scope:
The directive covers all packaging and packaging waste in the EU market, whether from industry, commerce, workshops, shops, service places, general household or other sources, regardless of material.
Test objects include:
Product packaging carton, carton, wooden frame, film box, plastic bag, bubble bag, foam, poly dragon, fixed appliance, sheet, rope, coating, ink, tape, glue, binding tape, label and manual.
Controlled substances and limits:
Lead (PB) + cadmium (CD) + mercury (Hg) + hexavalent chromium (CR VI) ＜ 100ppm
US packaging code TPCH (CONEG)
CONEG is a local regulation formulated by the Northeast Federation of state heads (8 states) in 1989 to reduce the content of heavy metals in packaging and packaging materials. With the establishment of TPCH in 1992, CONEG was renamed TPCH. However, the TPCH test methods and requirements are the same as those of CONEG and remain unchanged, and the requirements for the control of products and toxic and hazardous substances are basically consistent with those of the EU.
What items should be tested for packaging materials and products?
Packaging materials and products inspection definition
The inspection of packaging materials and products refers to the process of some or various special tests on the protection quality and protection methods of materials and products used to manufacture packaging containers, packaging decoration, packaging printing, packaging and transportation that meet the product packaging requirements.
Inspection scope of packaging materials and products
The inspection of packaging materials and products can be divided into the following parts according to the material type:
1. Inspection of paper product packaging materials
Testing of paper materials and products such as paper and paperboard. Paper materials and products are the most widely used strains in production and life. The quality of paper is directly related to the quality of products. The testing of paper packaging materials includes printing performance, mechanical performance, weather resistance and so on. The common quality problems of paper packaging materials include: the printing and mechanical properties of paper products can not meet the product standards and application requirements; Damage caused by poor weather resistance; Paper products release harmful substances, resulting in product pollution or damage.
2. Inspection of plastic packaging materials
Testing of plastic packaging materials and products. Plastic packaging is also an important packaging type second only to paper in our daily life. The test items of plastic packaging materials mainly include: mechanical properties (tensile, tear, puncture, etc.), barrier properties (moisture and oxygen resistance, etc.), weather resistance, optical properties, anti-static properties, cushioning properties of foaming materials, etc.
Common quality problems of plastic packaging materials include: insufficient mechanical properties and barrier properties; Discoloration, embrittlement, melting, adhesion, cracking and other phenomena occur in the weather resistance test; The transmittance and ultraviolet transmittance are not up to standard; Abnormal value of surface resistance and poor cushioning performance of materials when tested in the specified environment.
3. Inspection of wooden packaging materials
The inspection of wood packaging materials refers to the inspection of wood materials such as wood and wood-based panel products used for commodity support, protection or transportation. The test items of wood packaging materials mainly include: static bending strength, bending strength, bonding strength, nail holding force, moisture content, formaldehyde emission, weather resistance, etc.
Common quality problems of wood packaging materials include: plate fracture; Rust of products caused by high moisture content of wood; Formaldehyde release and harmful gas release, etc.
4. Inspection of composite packaging materials
Composite packaging material testing aims at two or more materials, which are combined through one or more composite processes to form a composite material with certain functions. The test items of composite packaging materials mainly include: barrier performance, mechanical performance, weather resistance, light resistance, anti-static performance, etc.
Common quality problems of composite packaging materials include: barrier properties (moisture and oxygen permeability) and mechanical properties can not reach the index; Poor light resistance of aluminum foil bag and aluminum plated bag; Electrical properties such as surface resistance are not up to standard.
5. Food packaging inspection
Food packaging has the function of protecting food, preventing the damage of biological, chemical, physical and other external factors in the circulation process, and maintaining the stable quality of food itself. It can not only facilitate the consumption of food, but also show the appearance of food and attract consumption, so as to improve the value of products. Common food packaging materials include paper, plastic, wood, glass, metal, etc.
Food packaging inspection items mainly include: protective performance (physical performance is the same as that of the above materials), food safety performance (chemical performance (hygienic performance, heavy metals, harmful substances (plastic additives, coatings, solvents, etc.), microorganisms, etc.).
Common food packaging quality problems include: food bag inflation caused by poor sealing and barrier; Solvent residue exceeds the standard, and the detected amount of plastic additives exceeds the specified requirements; Microbial contamination of products, etc.
