German LFGB Certification Process and Cycle for Disposable Tableware
Date：2025-12-01 10:27:42 Classification
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Disposable tableware exported to Germany does indeed require LFGB certification, which is crucial for ensuring product safety and smooth entry into the German market.
I. Key Points of LFGB Certification for Disposable Tableware
1. Necessity of Certification
LFGB (German Food and Commodities Act) is a mandatory regulation in Germany governing food contact materials, covering all products that come into direct or indirect contact with food. Disposable tableware (such as plastic bowls, paper plates, straws, etc.) must pass LFGB testing; otherwise, they cannot be sold in the German market. Its core purpose is to limit the migration of harmful substances and protect consumer health.
2. Applicable Product Scope
- Material Types: Plastics (PP, PS, PE, etc.), paper, wood, starch-based biodegradable materials, bamboo, etc.
- Product Forms: Plates, bowls, cups, straws, cutlery, takeout containers, etc.
II. Key Testing Items
Based on material characteristics, LFGB testing for disposable tableware typically includes:
| Test Category | Specific Items
| Sensory Testing | Odor and taste migration assessment (ensuring tableware is odorless and does not affect food taste)
| Chemical Migration Testing | - Evaporation residue (simulating migration amounts under different food media such as acidic, alcoholic, and oily environments) - Heavy metal leaching (lead, cadmium, chromium, etc.) - Specific hazardous substances (such as plasticizers, formaldehyde, phenol, etc.)
| Material Characteristic Testing | - Plastics: Potassium permanganate consumption (assessing organic matter migration potential) - Paper: Decolorization test, fluorescent whitening agent detection - Biodegradable materials: Degradability verification (if applicable)
| Microbiological Indicators | E. coli, total bacterial count, etc. (for reusable disposable tableware)
III. Certification Process and Cycle
1. Preparation Stage
- Provide product information: material list, production process, and usage description.
- Sample Requirements: Provide sufficient samples (usually 3-5 pieces) according to the testing items.
2. Testing Process
- Consultation and Quotation: A third-party organization will provide a quotation after assessing the materials and testing items (cost approximately 800-2000 RMB/product depending on material complexity).
- Sample Testing: The laboratory conducts testing according to LFGB §30-31 and EU EN standards (cycle usually 5-7 working days).
- Report Issuance: An LFGB test report will be issued upon successful testing (no unified certificate; the report must include material, test items, and results).
3. Precautions
- LFGB is a voluntary certification, but German market supervision is strict; products without a report may face detention or recall.
- The report is usually valid for 1-3 years. Retesting is required if materials or production processes change.
IV. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are the differences in testing items between paper tableware and plastic tableware?
A: Paper tableware requires additional testing for fluorescent whitening agents and bleaching properties, while plastic tableware focuses on plasticizers and monomer residues (such as styrene in polystyrene).
Q2: What is the relationship between LFGB and EU 1935/2004/EC?
A: LFGB is German national regulation, while 1935/2004/EC is a general EU standard. LFGB testing items are more stringent (e.g., sensory testing is not included in EU standards), and passing LFGB is considered compliant with EU requirements.
Q3: Is it mandatory to choose a local German testing institution for export to Germany?
A: No. Reports issued by CNAS-accredited third-party laboratories in China (such as Dezewei Testing CNAS registration number: L8083) are equally valid in Germany, enhancing market trust.
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