Polymer Migration Testing Parameters for European Food Contact Compliance
European food contact polymer compliance mandates measuring total migration below 10 mg/dm² and specific migration limits using exact simulants and conditions.
Article 15 Compliance
Meaning
Polymer rheology certification defines the acceptable viscosity range for a thermoplastic resin grade. Article 15 compliance verifies that the melt flow rate of a supplied batch matches the parameters stated on the reference datasheet. Testing protocols mandate a standardized temperature and pressure environment to ensure the material performs during industrial injection moulding.
This framework prevents production instability arising from inconsistent material flow properties.
Processing Verification
Injection moulding machines require stable melt indices to maintain cavity pressure and shot weight control. Article 15 compliance functions as a primary check against resin drift that occurs when manufacturers switch between virgin material and regrind streams. Excessive fluctuation in these flow values forces operators to adjust holding times or barrel temperatures to compensate for premature solidification or flash.
Rigid adherence to the specified viscosity window guarantees that tooling designed for a particular material flow remains performant across different production runs.
Material Economics
Batch testing costs often dictate whether a processor accepts a supplier certificate or commissions an independent audit. Article 15 compliance shifts the liability for material quality back to the raw resin manufacturer. Frequent deviations from the standard resin properties lead to higher scrap rates and increased utility consumption in the plant.
Processors mitigate these risks by linking procurement contracts to confirmed laboratory reports that document consistent melt flow behavior.
Technical Boundary
Internal laboratory results represent a snapshot of material behaviour rather than a guarantee of performance within every specific mould geometry. Article 15 compliance remains valid only while the resin undergoes processing within the operational window documented in the technical documentation. Shear thinning characteristics and additives alter the viscosity at different injection speeds and intensities.
Proper adherence to the defined flow standard ensures the mechanical properties of the moulded part align with the intended structural design.