Detailed Explanation of the German LFGB Certification Process for Food-Grade Rub
Date：2025-11-07 09:52:31 Classification
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As a critical component that comes into direct contact with food, food-grade rubber tubing requires special attention to material safety and migration testing during the LFGB certification process. Based on the characteristics of rubber materials, the process can be divided into six core steps, with particular emphasis on specific testing items.
I. LFGB Certification Specific Testing Items for Food-Grade Rubber Tubing
Rubber tubing (such as coffee machine water hoses and beverage delivery hoses) requires the following tests based on its material characteristics:
- Sensory Testing: Checking whether the rubber tubing releases any odor or color after immersion, ensuring it does not affect the flavor of food.
- Comprehensive Migration Testing: Simulating different food contact scenarios (such as water, acidic media, and alcoholic media) to detect the total amount of migratable substances in the rubber.
- Specific Substance Testing:
- Organotin Compounds: Catalysts commonly used in rubber hoses may remain; must meet the limit of 0.05 mg/kg.
- Plasticizers: Migration of phthalates (DEHP, DBP, etc.) must be <0.1 mg/kg.
- Heavy Metals: Leaching levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, etc., must comply with the German BfR XXXVI recommended standard.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Test the total amount of volatile organic compounds released by the rubber hose at high temperatures to avoid food contamination.
II. Certification Process (Rubber Hose Special Edition)
1. Preliminary Preparation: Clarify Product Information
- Material List: Provide MSDS reports for the material composition of the rubber hose (e.g., natural rubber/NBR/EPDM) and additives (vulcanizing agents, colorants);
- Intended Use: Specify the type of food the rubber hose will contact (aqueous/oil-based/acidic), temperature range (room temperature/high temperature), and frequency of use. This will affect the selection of testing conditions.
2. Select an Authoritative Testing Institution
- Prioritize laboratories accredited in Germany or those with CNAS certification in China (DEZEW Testing CNAS Registration No.: L8083);
- Confirm whether the laboratory possesses specialized testing capabilities for rubber materials (such as VOC emission testing equipment).
3. Sample Submission and Test Plan Confirmation
- Sample Requirements: Provide 3-5 complete rubber tubes (length ≥ 30cm). If the inner wall has a coating, it must be indicated separately;
- Testing Cycle: Routine tests (migration test + sensory test) take approximately 5-7 working days.
4. Core Testing Phase
- Simulated Immersion Test: Based on the actual application scenario of the rubber hose, select one or more of the following media:
- Deionized water (60℃, 24 hours)
- 3% acetic acid solution (40℃, 24 hours, simulating acidic food)
- 10% ethanol solution (20℃, 24 hours, simulating alcoholic beverages)
- Data Review: If any indicator exceeds the standard (e.g., excessive plasticizer migration), the rubber formulation must be reviewed, and the test retested after replacing compliant additives.
5. Technical Document Review
- A rubber hose production process flow chart must be submitted, explaining key parameters such as vulcanization temperature and time (affecting the risk of substance migration);
- A compliance declaration from the raw material supplier must be provided to ensure that the rubber substrate complies with LFGB §30 requirements.
6. Report Issuance and Market Access
- Upon successful testing, an LFGB test report will be obtained (no unified certificate; the report is typically valid for 5 years; retesting is required if the formula changes);
- Affix a "knife and fork symbol" to the product label or packaging, indicating the test report number, for customs inspection.
III. Specific Precautions for Rubber Tubing
- Material differences affect testing costs:
- Testing costs for ordinary rubber tubing (such as EPDM) are approximately 1000-2000 RMB per item; costs may double for tubing with special coatings (such as fluororubber);
- Common failures:
- Excessive levels of organotin compounds (often due to improper vulcanization process control);
- Failure to pass sensory testing (residual vulcanizing agent not fully removed from the rubber tubing).
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