How to process a French DGCCRF report for disposable lunch boxes?
Date：2026-08-11 10:05:13 Classification
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Disposable food containers - French DGCCRF report processing
DGCCRF is not a certificate issuer, but a French testing report for food contact materials, based on French DGCCRF 2004-64 and Décret no 92-631, and must also comply with EU (EC) No 1935/2004 framework regulations. These reports are for export to France and for customs clearance/listing on Amazon France. The reports are issued by a third-party laboratory; the DGCCRF government agency itself does not issue reports directly.
I. First, confirm the material and testing items for disposable lunch boxes
Common materials for disposable lunch boxes: PP plastic, PET, molded pulp, PS foam, composite coated paper. Testing varies depending on the material.
1. PP/PET Plastic Lunch Boxes (Disposable)
- Comprehensive migration test (4 food simulants: water, 3% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, olive oil)
- Sensory test (odor and taste migration)
- Heavy metal migration (lead, cadmium); migration of specific substances
- Single-use scenario, testing based on single-exposure conditions
2. PS Foam Lunch Boxes
- Added styrene monomer residue and volatile organic compound (VOM) testing
3. Pulp/Coated Paper Lunch Boxes
- Pentachlorophenol (PCP), formaldehyde, heavy metal migration, glyoxal; migration test of the coated plastic layer; ink migration (if printed)
II. Complete Application Process
1. Confirm product information and contact the laboratory
Prioritize those with [specific qualifications/approval] ISO17025/CNAS/CMA certified third-party testing organizations familiar with French DGCCRF regulations (DEZEW Testing CNAS registration number: L8083); for French customs inspections, organizations capable of issuing bilingual (French/English) reports are preferred. The report must clearly state compliance with DGCCRF regulations, not just EU 10/2011.
Important: In addition to the report, the French market requires a Declaration of Conformity (in French) signed by the French importer/EU representative; a technical file must be established, including the report, raw material certificates, and process documents, and must be kept for at least 10 years for future reference.
2. Prepare Application Materials
- Testing Application Form (Include manufacturer, brand, model, and French importer information)
- Material Description: List of materials for the lunchbox body, lid, coating, and printing inks
- Usage Conditions: Single-use, type of food contact (acidic/oily), temperature (microwave heating required)
- Product Photos, Outer Packaging Label Draft (French label recommended)
3. Send Samples
- Plastic Lunchboxes: 5-8 complete finished products (box + lid), brand new and unused; different colors must be submitted separately.
- Molded Pulp Lunchboxes: 3-5 finished products; printed samples must be submitted, blank samples are not acceptable.
4. Laboratory Testing
Standard Cycle: 5-7 working days; failure to meet standards requires rectification and retesting.
The test will simulate single-use temperature and time, and perform migration experiments using 4 food simulants.
5. Issuance of a Formal Report
Key elements of the report:
- Clearly state: Conforme à DGCCRF 2004-64
- Complete test conditions, simulants, limits, and acceptance criteria
- Laboratory ISO17025 number; French/English-French bilingual version preferred
6. Supporting Compliance Documents (Required for Customs Clearance/Amazon France)
① DGCCRF Test Report
② French Declaration of Conformity (DoC) (signed by EU representative/French importer)
③ French product label: `Apte au contact alimentaire` (applicable to food contact), indicating usage restrictions, manufacturer, and EU importer's address
④ Technical documents (raw material MSDS, material certificates, process records, for verification)
III. Common Pitfalls and Reminders
1. Do not directly use the EU10/2011 plastics report as a DGCCRF report: France has additional requirements; the report must clearly cite the DGCCRF regulatory document, otherwise customs and platforms will not accept it.
2. DGCCRF does not have an official certificate, only a third-party laboratory test report. The so-called DGCCRF certificate on the market is a commercial term.
3. Samples must be final mass-produced products; they must have printing and lamination. Blank substrates cannot be submitted, as inks and coatings will affect the results.
4. Amazon France: Not only must the report be uploaded, but the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and EU representative information are also required.
5. Labels must be in French and include a single-use instruction; Chinese/English labels are not acceptable.
IV. Cost Reference
Prices depend on the material, whether printing is required, and the number of tests. Plastic disposable food containers typically cost 800-2000 (currency unspecified); pulp molding containers are slightly more expensive due to the greater number of tests, and a specific quote requires a laboratory assessment.
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