Meaning
European testing standard defining test methods for overall chemical migration from plastic articles intended to contact food products. Testing involves exposing polymer specimens to liquid food simulants under controlled time and temperature conditions to measure total non-volatile substances released into food streams. Compliance with EN 1186 testing is required for plastic food packaging, kitchenware, and processing equipment sold within European markets.
The standard stops applying to non-plastic contact materials or articles exposed exclusively to dry foods that do not require liquid simulant extraction.
Simulants Exposure
Material testing protocols employ specific liquids to replicate fatty, acidic, aqueous, and alcoholic food types during laboratory immersion. Ethanol solutions and vegetable oils extract residual monomers and plasticizers from the polymer matrix. Standardized exposure conditions reflect actual contact duration, ranging from brief contact to extended shelf storage.
Gravimetric Analysis
Quantification of total migration relies on evaporating the simulant liquid and weighing the remaining dry residue on precision analytical balances. Test specimens undergo rigorous cleaning and conditioning before and after liquid exposure to eliminate moisture interference. When evaluating EN 1186 testing results, laboratories subtract control blank values to isolate polymer extractables from ambient laboratory contaminants.
Regulatory Threshold
Legislation limits overall migration to ten milligrams per square decimetre of plastic contact area. Exceeding this limit prevents commercial distribution of the resin formulation for food contact applications. Regrind incorporation and processing thermal history alter matrix density, directly impacting overall migration performance.
