How to obtain a French DGCCRF report for cake spatulas?
Date：2026-10-15 09:37:54 Classification
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DGCCRF Compliance for Cake Spatulas (Export to France)
DGCCRF is the French market regulatory authority. In the industry, a "DGCCRF report" refers to a third-party food-contact safety test report required for exporting items like cake spatulas to France; it is not a formal certificate. Products must comply with both the EU framework regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 and specific French national requirements for food-contact materials. Cake spatulas typically come in two configurations: all-stainless steel, or a stainless steel blade with a plastic or silicone handle. Each distinct homogeneous material must be tested separately.
Testing Scope
All-Stainless Steel Cake Spatulas
Testing includes the determination of the metal substrate composition, as well as migration tests for lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and nickel. Samples are immersed in a 4% acetic acid simulant under specified temperature and time conditions. A sensory test is also conducted to check for any off-odors or discoloration in the simulant. Notably, France has specific, strict limits for nickel migration from stainless steel, which is a key area of verification.
Stainless Steel Blade with Silicone Handle
The stainless steel component undergoes the metal-related tests mentioned above. The silicone handle is tested for overall migration, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and peroxide residues; the presence of cyclic siloxanes (D4, D5, and D6) is also evaluated.
Stainless Steel Blade with Plastic Handle
The plastic handle is tested for overall migration and specific migration. Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are tested as required.
If the spatula features a surface coating, the coating is treated as a separate homogeneous material and subjected to its own migration and heavy metal tests. The food simulants used are selected to represent conditions such as contact with oily or acidic foods (e.g., cream), accurately reflecting the actual usage environment of a cake spatula.
Complete Compliance Process
1. Preliminary Assessment and Test Plan Development
The structure of the spatula is analyzed to identify distinct homogeneous materials—such as the blade, handle, coatings, and printing inks. Material specifications (e.g., 304/316 stainless steel grades, specific silicone grades, or plastic resin types) are documented. The intended use—such as contact with cream or acidic ingredients, usage at room temperature, and dishwasher suitability—is also clarified. Select a laboratory that holds ISO 17025 and CNAS accreditations (Dezewei Testing’s CNAS registration number: L8083) and is proficient in the French DGCCRF testing methods for food-contact materials. Confirm the quotation and turnaround time; the standard processing time is 5 to 7 business days.
2. Prepare Documentation and Submit Samples
Required Documentation
Submit a testing application form, product photographs, a Bill of Materials (BOM), supplier declarations for each raw material, and product instructions for use (specifying applicable temperature ranges and the types of food the product is intended to contact).
Sample Preparation: Provide 2–3 complete finished products. For products composed of multiple materials, you may also provide raw material samples (e.g., for handles or blades) to facilitate the laboratory’s process of separating and homogenizing materials for testing. If products share the same materials and formulations but differ only in external design, a single test report may be used for all; however, any change in material grade or raw material formulation requires re-testing.
3. Laboratory Testing
Testing is conducted in accordance with the relevant French DGCCRF methods for food-contact materials, including migration tests, compositional analysis, and sensory evaluations. Common causes for test failure include excessive nickel migration from stainless steel, residual peroxides in silicone, or the migration of specific substances from plastic handles beyond permitted limits. If materials are adjusted, samples may be resubmitted for re-testing.
4. Issuance of the DGCCRF Test Report
Once all tests are passed, the laboratory will issue a test report in both Chinese and English. The report will cite the applicable French food-contact regulations and provide test data for each homogeneous material. This report can be used for uploading to cross-border e-commerce platforms, client audits, or inspections by French authorities, and should be included in the product’s technical file for food-contact compliance.
5. Supporting Compliance Documentation (A Test Report Is Not Equivalent to Full Compliance)
Compile a complete set of technical documentation, including product drawings, the BOM, the DGCCRF test report, and instructions for use. Additionally, a Declaration of Compliance (DoC) must be prepared—this document is issued by the EU-based importer or the brand owner, not by the laboratory.
Product packaging may feature the "glass and fork" food-contact symbol, with labels indicating applicable temperature ranges and usage restrictions. The full set of technical documentation must be retained, as French regulatory authorities may request it for verification at any time.
Outer packaging (such as cardboard boxes) is not considered a food-contact component; it is subject to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) rather than the DGCCRF requirements. Labeling Requirements
Include the "food-contact" symbol (fork and knife icon) on the product or its packaging, and specify the applicable temperature range. Additional guidance may be provided, such as advising users to clean the item before and after use, and noting that it should not be left submerged in acidic foods for extended periods.
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