LFGB certification testing process for metal food cans
Date：2025-10-09 10:14:53 Classification
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LFGB testing is performed on all materials, including products manufactured using the latest technologies. Examples include testing the chrome plating on barbecue grills, the heat resistance of Teflon coatings on cooking pans, and testing silicone seals in kettles. The complete testing process and key points for obtaining French LFGB certification for metal food cans (i.e., complying with the French DGCCRF standard, which is equivalent to adopting the core requirements of the German LFGB):
I. Core Certification Process
1. Preliminary Preparation and Application
- Document Submission
- Provide product technical documentation: metal composition (e.g., tinplate, aluminum), interior coating type (epoxy, Teflon, etc.), and production process description.
- Complete the testing application form, specifying the intended use (e.g., acidic food cans, canned meat, etc.).
- Agency Selection
- Prioritize testing agencies with EU NB Notification Numbers (e.g., Dezeve Testing) to ensure the report is valid for the French market.
2. Sample Requirements
- Provide 3-5 unused finished cans, including coatings from different batches; if the cans contain seals, additional accessories are required.
- Special requirements: Simulate actual use scenarios (e.g., acidic food cans must be filled with citric acid solution for testing).
3. Laboratory Testing Key Points (Based on LFGB §30-31 and French DGCCRF Supplementary Requirements)
| Test Items | Test Standards
| Heavy Metal Migration | EN 1388-1/2
| Coating Extractables | LFGB §32
| Sensory Testing | DGCCRF 2023-04
| Hexavalent Chromium Testing | EN 15205
4. Technical Documentation
- Must include:
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
- Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
- Complete test report (French or English)
- Documents must be retained for at least 10 years for random inspections by the French market regulator (DGCCRF).
5. Certification and Logo Application
- Upon passing the test, an LFGB test report will be issued, and the product will be affixed with the knife and fork logo (≥5mm in height).
- A separate certificate is not required for the French market, but the report must be marked "Compatible with French exigences."
II. Key Considerations
1. Cycle and Cost
- Cycle: Routine testing: 5-7 working days
- Cost:
- Basic fee: ¥1,000-2,000 (includes 3 heavy metal tests and sensory testing)
2. Special Requirements
- Acidic food cans: A simulated pH ≤ 4.5 environmental migration test (e.g., immersion in citric acid solution) is required.
- Welded cans: Focus on testing for lead and cadmium residues in solder (limits are 50% stricter than for standard cans).
- Reusable cans: Add a wash durability test (at least 20 cycles).
3. Common Failure Points to Avoid
- Exceeding heavy metal limits: Use lead-free solder and food-grade zinc plating.
- Coating peeling: Optimize the baking process (recommended curing temperature ≥ 200°C for 10 minutes).
- Sensory Odor: Avoid using coatings containing benzene solvents.
III. Recommendations for Selecting a Testing Agency
1. Confirm that the testing agency is familiar with the updated regulations of the French DGCCRF (e.g., the new migration limit for bisphenol A of ≤ 0.01 ppm in 2024).
2. Require EU-recognized testing qualifications (e.g., a COFRAC-accredited laboratory).
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