316 stainless steel lunch box China GB4806 test and certification report process
Date：2025-09-23 09:44:34 Classification
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Food Contact Materials (FCM) refer to materials that come into contact with food under normal or foreseeable conditions of use but do not themselves constitute part of the food. The process and key points for obtaining a GB4806 testing and certification report for a 316 stainless steel lunch box in China are as follows:
I. Testing Standards and Core Requirements
1. Applicable Standards
- Basic Standard: GB 4806.1-2016, "National Food Safety Standard - General Safety Requirements for Food Contact Materials and Articles."
- Metal Material Specific Standard: GB 4806.9-2016, "National Food Safety Standard - Metal Materials and Articles for Food Contact."
- Key Test Items:
- Heavy Metal Migration (Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, Arsenic, Antimony)
- Sensory Testing (Odor, Color)
- Special Requirements: 316 stainless steel must be labeled with the grade.
II. Application Process (5 Steps)
▶ Step 1: Confirm Testing Scope and Institution Selection
- Product Disassembly: If the lunch box contains a plastic seal/coating, additional testing is required under GB 4806.7 (Plastics) or GB 4806.10 (Coatings).
- Institutional Qualification: Select a laboratory with CMA/CNAS accreditation (such as Dezewei Testing).
▶ Step 2: Material Preparation and Sample Submission
- Required Documents:
- Product Specifications, BOM (Bill of Materials)
- 316 Stainless Steel Material Certification (Grade must comply with GB/T 20878).
- Sample Requirements:
- Provide a complete lunch box (including accessories)
- Provide a separate metal substrate sample (for migration testing).
▶ Step 3: Testing Implementation and Projects
- Core Test Items:
| Test Items | Limit Requirements
| Lead (Pb) Migration | ≤0.01 mg/dm²
| Chromium (Cr) Migration | ≤0.4 mg/dm²
| Nickel (Ni) Migration | ≤0.1 mg/dm² (Acidic Food Contact)
- Special Requirements: 316 stainless steel requires testing for molybdenum (Mo) content (≥2%).
▶ Step 4: Cost and Turnaround Time
- Reference Costs:
- Basic Testing for a Single Material: ¥500-800 (Heavy Metal Migration Only)
- Full Testing (Including Accessories): ¥1500-2000.
- Turnaround Time: Normally 5-7 working days, expedited to 3 days (additional fee required).
▶ Step 5: Report Acquisition and Labeling
- Report Content:
- Clearly indicate the material grade (e.g., "Stainless Steel S31608")
- Actual migration data and conclusions.
- Labeling Requirements:
- Products must be labeled "For Food Contact" and the material type.
- Imported products must be labeled in Chinese.
III. Key Considerations
1. Material Authenticity Verification
- A material report is required for 316 stainless steel to prevent vendors from passing it off as 201/202 stainless steel (it can pass the initial magnetic screening: 316 is weakly magnetic).
2. Accessory Compatibility
- If plastic seals are included, phthalate testing is required (limit ≤ 60 mg/kg).
3. Report Validity Period
- No fixed validity period, but changes to raw materials or processes require retesting.
IV. Solutions to Common Problems
- Cost Optimization: Multiple lunch box models from the same batch can be tested serially (only the differences will be retested).
- E-commerce Compliance: JD.com/Tmall must provide a test report bearing the CMA seal. Note that the report must include a "food grade" conclusion.
- Export Compatibility: If simultaneously exporting to the EU, it is recommended to consolidate EC 1935/2004 testing (to reduce duplicate sampling).
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