Beverage bottle French DGCCRF certification test report process
Date：2025-12-09 10:21:04 Classification
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French market access requirements dictate that beverage bottles, as typical food contact containers, require a DGCCRF certification process that considers both material properties and the specific usage scenarios. The entire process can be summarized in three main stages: "standard positioning → precise testing → compliant output," with a focus on plastic migration risks and sensory safety.
Step 1: Clarify Regulatory Standards and Testing Items
Beverage bottles (usually made of PET/PE/PP) must simultaneously meet the EU Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and French local regulations DGCCRF 2004-64 and Décret no 92-631. The core testing items are as follows:
Mandatory Testing Items (Specifically for Plastic Beverage Bottles)
| Test Type | Specific Indicators
| Comprehensive Migration Test | Simulates the migration of chemical substances from different food types (aqueous, acidic, alcoholic)
| Specific Substance Tests | - Phthalate (DEHP/DBP, etc., 6 items)
- Heavy Metals (Lead ≤ 0.01 mg/kg, Cadmium ≤ 0.005 mg/kg)
| Sensory Test | Odor/Taste Migration (No odor or discoloration after soaking in deionized water/3% acetic acid)
| Physical Properties | Sealing performance (no leakage after a 1.2-meter drop), temperature resistance (tested from -18℃ to 60℃ depending on the usage scenario)
Special Scenario Additional Items
- For bottles with printed patterns/coatings: Azo dye testing is required (22 carcinogenic aromatic amines are prohibited);
- For reusable bottles: Weather resistance testing is required (e.g., changes in migration after UV aging).
Step Two: Sample and Technical Document Preparation
Samples must be prepared according to "material + structure" before submission to avoid invalid tests due to substandard samples:
Sample Requirements
- Quantity: 12 complete bottles (including caps) + 200g preform slices (for chemical migration testing);
- Condition: Brand new, unused samples, labeled with production batch and injection molding process parameters (e.g., temperature, pressure);
- Special Notes: If the bottle is colored or has a label, a separate material description of the printed layer/label is required.
Technical Documentation List
- Product Manual (specify material grade, e.g., PET bottles must be marked with the "PET 1" recycling symbol);
- Production Process Flow (specify whether mold release agents, lubricants, or other additives are used);
- Bill of Materials (BOM) (clearly specify the material composition and supplier information for the bottle body, cap, and sealing ring).
Step 3: Laboratory Selection and Testing Implementation
1. Institutional Qualification: A third-party laboratory accredited by the French DGCCRF must be selected (e.g., Dezewei Testing CNAS registration number: L8083).
2. Testing Cycle and Costs
- Basic Cycle: 5-7 working days (chemical testing only). If physical performance testing (e.g., drop/temperature resistance) is required, the time will be extended to 10 working days.
- Cost Reference: 800-1500 RMB per test.
3. Key Testing Procedure Examples
- Comprehensive Migration Test: Immerse bottle sections in 3% acetic acid (simulating an acidic beverage) and 10% ethanol (simulating an alcoholic beverage) at 40°C for 24 hours. Detect the total amount of migratings using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
- Sensory Testing: Professional assessors evaluate the immersion solution according to French standard NF EN 10/11, assessing odor (6-level rating) and taste (5-level rating). The solution must achieve a "no off-odor, no off-taste" rating.
Step Four: Report Acquisition and Compliance Maintenance
1. Report Validity: Upon successful testing, a DGCCRF Declaration of Conformity report is obtained. This report must include the test method (e.g., EN 1186), a comparison of measured data with limits, laboratory stamp, and authorized signature.
2. Validity and Renewal
- The report is valid for 3 years, but retesting is required in the following situations:
Material change (e.g., from PET to PE);
Production process adjustment (e.g., changing injection molding raw material suppliers);
Updates to French regulations (e.g., adding restricted substances).
3. Export Document Preparation
- The DGCCRF report, along with the CE mark and French label (stating "Matériaux en contact avec les aliments"), must be submitted as customs clearance documents. French customs may conduct random sampling verification.
Common Failure Risks and Mitigation Recommendations
- Exceeding limits for total migration: Prioritize the use of food-grade raw materials (e.g., PET bottle-grade chips must comply with FDA 21 CFR 177.1630), and avoid using recycled materials;
- Failure to pass sensory testing: Strictly control the amount of release agent used during production, and allow finished products to ventilate for at least 72 hours before testing;
- Invalid report: Always choose a French laboratory or one accredited by them. Reports from non-accredited domestic institutions may not be accepted by French customs.
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