Packaging color box EU pop testing project and testing requirements
Date：2026-03-25 10:58:36 Classification
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Packaging color box EU POPs testing project and testing requirements
1、 Overview of EU POPs Regulations
The EU POPs Regulation (EU 2019/1021) is the core legislation for persistent organic pollutants, which sets strict restrictions on harmful chemicals in packaging materials. The implementation of this regulation aims to protect human health and environmental safety, and compliance testing is an indispensable entry condition for packaging and packaging products exported to the EU market.
2、 Main testing items
1. Short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs)
Limit requirement: ≤ 1500mg/kg (lower for some applications)
Common sources: plastic additives, flame retardants, sealing materials
Test significance: SCCPs have persistence, bioaccumulation, and toxicity, and are key monitoring items in packaging materials
2. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Limit requirements: Each homologue ≤ 10mg/kg, total ≤ 500mg/kg
Common sources: flame retardants, ink additives
Test significance: including decabromodiphenyl ether, octabromodiphenyl ether, pentabromodiphenyl ether, etc
3. Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its derivatives (PFOS/PFAS)
Limit requirement: ≤ 10mg/kg (PFOS); Gradually restrict PFAS from 2023 onwards
Common sources: waterproof coating, oil resistant coating
Test significance: Highly concerned new pollutants with continuously expanding detection range
4. Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD)
Limit requirement: ≤ 100mg/kg
Common sources: Residual flame retardants in plastic products and recycled paper
Test significance: mainly used for flame retardancy of materials such as expanded polystyrene
5. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
Limit requirement: ≤ 10mg/kg (indicative total amount of PCBs)
Common source: Impurities introduced during the recycling process of old paper
Test significance: including 7 indicative PCB homologues
3、 Testing requirements and standards
Testing Method Standards
|Detection category | Common standards | Detection techniques
|Organic halogens | EN 62321, US EPA 3550C | GC-MS, LC-MS/MS
|Flame retardants | IEC 62321-8 | GC-MS
|PFAS compounds | ISO 25101, CEN/TS 15968 | LC-MS/MS
|Heavy metals (auxiliary) | EN 62321 series | ICP-OES, ICP-MS
Material layering requirements
Each homogeneous material needs to be evaluated separately
Unified limit threshold: 1000mg/kg (0.1%) (stricter for some POPs substances)
Coatings, inks, and adhesives are considered as independent homogeneous material layers
4、 Compliance recommendations
1. Supply chain control: Prioritize the use of raw paper materials without added flame retardants
2. Attention to recycling materials: Recycled paper may introduce pollutants such as PCBs and SCCPs
3. Coating selection: Avoid using oil and water resistant coatings containing PFAS
4. Regular testing: Even if the formula remains unchanged, it is recommended to conduct annual spot checks for confirmation
5. File retention: Retain compliance evidence chains such as test reports and supplier statements
If you need to know the specific product testing plan design or regulatory updates, you can further consult professional testing institutions for targeted advice.
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