German LFGB certification report process for aluminum foil
Date：2025-11-18 09:33:03 Classification
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As a packaging material that comes into direct contact with food, aluminum foil exported to Germany requires special attention to its chemical migration risks at high temperatures when applying for LFGB certification, particularly the release of heavy metals and additives. The LFGB certification process for aluminum foil includes document preparation, institutional assessment, sample testing (such as sensory testing, heavy metal migration, etc.), and report issuance, with an overall cycle of approximately 5-7 working days.
I. Preliminary Preparation: Clarifying Product Information and Testing Standards
1. Product Information Review
- Material Description: The base material of the aluminum foil (e.g., pure aluminum foil, tin-plated steel sheet, or aluminum-plastic composite film), thickness (e.g., 0.01mm-0.2mm), and surface treatment (e.g., whether it has a coating, matte/gloss finish) must be clearly stated.
- Application Declaration: The application must be labeled "for food contact" and the intended use (e.g., oven heating, grilling, refrigerated packaging). For high-temperature applications, the temperature resistance range (e.g., -20℃~220℃) must be additionally specified.
2. Core Testing Item Confirmation (Based on LFGB §30-31)
| Test Category | Key Indicators | Special Requirements for Aluminum Foil
| Sensory Testing | Odor/Taste Transfer (Whether an off-odor is produced after simulating contact with water, acidic, or alcoholic foods) | No metallic or plastic odor should be released after high-temperature heating
| Heavy Metal Migration | Lead (≤0.01mg/kg), Cadmium (≤0.005mg/kg), Arsenic (≤0.01mg/kg), etc. | Focus on testing aluminum migration (pure aluminum foil must comply with EN 601 standard)
| Additive Compliance | Fluorescent whitening agents (prohibited), residual solvents (such as VOCs in printing inks) | If there are colored printed patterns, the risk of ink migration to food must be tested.
| Microbial Contamination | Total bacterial count, E. coli (for ready-to-eat food contact scenarios) | Disposable aluminum foil must comply with food packaging hygiene standards
II. 5 Core Steps for Certification
Step 1: Choose an Authoritative Testing Institution
- Qualification Requirements: Must be from a German-accredited laboratory (e.g., DEZEW Testing CNAS registration number: L8083) or a domestic CNAS-accredited laboratory (the report must include a "compliant with LFGB regulations" statement).
Step 2: Submission of Documents and Samples
- Required Documents:
- Business license, product manual (must specify "compliant with LFGB §30").
- Material safety declaration (supplier must provide proof of aluminum foil purity, such as 99.9% pure aluminum).
- Sample Requirements:
- Quantity: 5-10 sheets (must cover different production batches; if multiple specifications exist, samples must be submitted separately).
- Packaging: Sealed packaging labeled "For LFGB testing only" to prevent contamination during transportation.
Step 3: Laboratory Testing Stage (approximately 3-5 working days)
- Typical Test Scenario Simulation:
- High-Temperature Migration Test: Immerse aluminum foil in a 4% acetic acid solution (simulating acidic food) at 70°C for 2 hours, and test the heavy metal content in the solution.
- Sensory Assessment: Professionals will smell the heated aluminum foil and test for residual odor after contact with water/ethanol solutions (must achieve a "no odor, no odor transfer" rating).
- Common Non-Compliance Items: Excessive aluminum migration (especially in thin aluminum foil), VOCs generated by the decomposition of the surface coating at high temperatures.
Step 4: Report Review and Revision
- The initial draft of the report issued by the testing agency in English/German requires careful verification of:
- Whether the test items fully cover the material and intended use of the aluminum foil (e.g., aluminum foil for barbecues must include migration testing above 200°C).
- Whether the conclusion section clearly states "compliant with LFGB §30-31 requirements," avoiding vague statements (e.g., "basically compliant" may cause customs clearance issues).
Step 5: Obtaining the Report and Market Access
- After passing the test, the organization will issue an official LFGB test report (no paper certificate, the report is the only valid document). The report must include:
- Laboratory stamp, test standard number (e.g., DIN EN 10002-1), sample photos, and original test data.
- Note: The report has no mandatory expiration date, but retesting is required if the material formulation (e.g., changing aluminum foil suppliers) or production process (e.g., adjusting annealing temperature) changes.
III. Avoidance Guide: Common Issues in Foil Certification
1. Insufficient Sample Representativeness
- If the foil has different styles such as glossy/matte or color printing, samples must be submitted separately and cannot be mixed for testing (e.g., the printed surface may have excessive heavy metals due to ink contamination).
2. Neglecting Usage Scenarios
- Foil intended for microwave heating requires additional microwave penetration testing (to avoid spark risks). The report must indicate "Not suitable for microwave ovens" or pass relevant tests.
3. Confusing LFGB with Other Standards
- The LFGB report is complementary to EU Directive 1935/2004/EC. Exports to Germany require a separate LFGB report; the EU general report cannot be used as a substitute (German customs may require a separate declaration).
IV. Process Summary and Costs
- Standard Process: Document Submission → Agency Quotation (1 business day) → Sample Testing (3-5 business days) → Report Issuance (1 business day), totaling approximately 5-7 days.
- Cost Range: Pure aluminum foil (uncoated) approximately 1000-2000 RMB; composite materials or tin foil with special coatings approximately 1500-3500 RMB (increasing according to material complexity).
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