SGS, the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification company, is advising manufacturers of food contact products that the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published a new standard for vitreous and porcelain enamels.
Issued in April 2022, ISO 4531:2022 updates the 2018 iteration in several ways:
- Migration limit for aluminum strengthened five-fold in accordance with EU standards
- Three consecutive release tests must be conducted on one day using the same sample with fresh test solution
- Test reports must include relevant information relating to measurement uncertainly and procedural deviations
To see a full list of the release limits for 16 heavy metals from food contact vitreous and porcelain enamels, see SGS’s original SafeGuardS 056/22.
Stakeholders should be aware that the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published Opinion No. 24/2018 in 2018. This found that some enameled grill grates released significant amounts of aluminum, antimony, arsenic and nickel. The enameling on certain grills manufactured from steel or cast iron often had an enamel coating to protect against corrosion and facilitate cleaning. The enamel contained a variety of silicates and oxides derived from metals, including aluminum, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, iron, lead, lithium and nickel.
The new standard – ISO 4531:2022 – is considered effective immediately.
SGS Food Contact Material Services
SGS’s technical experts have extensive experience of testing materials and articles in contact with food. They can ensure that your products meet the appropriate regulations for food contact materials and pave the way for compliance. SGS offers the full range of testing, including migration tests, along with expert advice on emerging regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested. Learn more about SGS’s Food Contact Material Services.
SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full ISO Issues ISO 4531:2022 for Food Contact Enamels SafeGuardS.
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For further information contact:
Dr. HingWo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel: (+852) 2774 7420
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Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
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