Stainless steel knives, forks, spoons, French DGCCRF certification report proces
Date：2026-02-26 10:33:08 Classification
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For the export of stainless steel knives, forks, and spoons to France, obtaining a DGCCRF compliance report (commonly referred to as DGCCRF certification) is a mandatory compliance requirement.
Due to France's stricter control over metal food contact materials compared to the EU General Standard (EC 1935/2004), basic EU testing cannot be conducted and must be conducted in accordance with specific French regulations (such as DGCCRF Sheet No. 4).
The following is the detailed process for processing DGCCRF reports with stainless steel knives, forks, and spoons:
Step 1: Confirm product information and standards
Before applying, you need to clarify the basic information of the product, as this determines the testing plan:
1. Product material: Confirm that it is stainless steel (such as 304, 316, 430, etc.). If it is other metals (such as silver plating, aluminum alloy), the testing standards will be different.
2. Usage scenario: Knives, forks, and spoons are products that come into long-term contact with food and are reused.
3. Applicable standards:
The specific requirements of DGCCRF in France regarding metal products (mainly Sheet No. 4).
At the same time, it must comply with the EU Framework Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
Step 2: Choose a testing institution
Choose a qualified third-party testing institution (such as Dezewei Testing CNAS registration number: L8083).
Key point: Confirm that the laboratory has the ability to conduct testing in accordance with French DGCCRF standards, especially for metal specific migration testing.
Step 3: Fill in the application and submit the sample
1. Fill out the application form: Fill out the testing application form and list the product name, model, and material information.
2. Prepare samples:
Usually 3-5 finished product samples (complete products, non raw materials) are required.
If there are different styles but the same material, you can apply for "Series Testing", which means selecting a representative model for full testing and conducting differential testing on other models to save costs.
Step 4: Laboratory Testing (Core Stage)
This is the most critical part of the process. For stainless steel knives, forks, and spoons, DGCCRF testing mainly includes the following contents:
1. Sensory testing
Appearance: Whether the surface is clean, smooth, and free of burrs.
Odor/Taste: The product must not transmit any unusual or strange odors to food.
2. Composition analysis (material identification)
Confirm the stainless steel grade (such as 304/316) to ensure that it does not contain prohibited harmful metal elements (such as lead, cadmium, etc.).
3. Specific Migration Testing - This is the strictest aspect of DGCCRF
The laboratory will immerse knives, forks, and spoons in a specific food simulation solution to simulate actual usage scenarios and detect how many metal ions precipitate.
Test conditions:
Knives, forks, and spoons are usually used to come into contact with various foods (acidic, neutral, oily).
Simulated solution: typically using a 3% acetic acid solution (simulating acidic foods under the most stringent conditions).
Time/Temperature: Typically 2 hours/70 ° C or 24 hours at room temperature (simulating actual usage time).
Testing items (heavy metal precipitation limit):
According to DGCCRF Sheet No. 4, the migration amount (unit: mg/kg) of the following elements is mainly tested:
Chromium ≤ 4.0
Nickel ≤ 2.0 (Note: This is a strict limit unique to French standards, and many inferior stainless steels may exceed this limit *)
Manganese ≤ 2.0
Iron ≤ 48.0
Others: such as zinc, aluminum, molybdenum, etc. (depending on the specific material).
Attention: If it is children's tableware (such as children's spoons), additional testing for phthalates or other chemicals in EN 14372 standard may be required.
Step 5: Issue a report
If the test results are qualified, the laboratory will issue a DGCCRF compliance test report.
The report will include: testing standards, testing methods, testing results, and conclusions on compliance with French regulations.
Step 6: Sign the Declaration of Conformity
After receiving the test report, as a manufacturer or exporter, you need to sign a declaration of conformity based on the report.
This statement is a legal document for French customs and market supervision agencies to review, declaring that your product complies with (EC) No 1935/2004 and French DGCCRF regulations.
The report is a technical support document for the declaration.
Process Summary Diagram
1. Prepare samples (finished stainless steel knives, forks, spoons)
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2. Submit an application (to the laboratory)
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3. Conduct testing (emphasis: 3% acetic acid migration test, testing nickel and chromium precipitation)
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4. Test passed (report obtained)
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5. Sign the DoC (Declaration of Conformity)
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6. Product launch (with cup fork logo attached, exported to France)
Common Problems and Suggestions
1. Time and cost:
The testing cycle is usually 5-7 working days.
The cost depends on the number of testing items, and the regular testing cost for stainless steel knives, forks, and spoons usually ranges from a few hundred to over a thousand RMB (depending on the laboratory quotation).
Why can't we just focus on FDA or LFGB?
FDA (USA): Different testing methods are not recognized in France.
LFGB (Germany): Although it is also very strict, the limit requirements for metal precipitation in French DGCCRF are different from those in Germany (such as requirements for nickel), and French customs only recognize reports that comply with DGCCRF standards.
How to avoid non-compliance?
The most common reason for non-compliance is the excessive precipitation of nickel and chromium.
Suggestion: Before mass production, send samples for pre testing. If using regular 304 or 316 stainless steel material, it can usually pass through; If it is 201 or low-quality recycled steel, there is a high probability of failure.
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