Organic solvents are used in printing, adhesives, and other processes involved in manufacturing food packaging materials and containers. Therefore, the organic solvent residues that may remain in the packaging material must be measured. Such measurements are commonly performed using headspace gas chromatography.
BS EN 13628-2 focuses on analysis of residual solvents in packaging materials. BS EN 13628-2 specifies the procedures which involve one single injection of the headspace which implies an incomplete extraction of the solvent. The values obtained may be lower than the absolute content which should be determined according to BS EN 13628-1.
BS EN 13628-2 is applicable to flexible packaging materials that may consist of mono- or multilayer plastic films, paper or board, foil or combinations thereof.
Note1: BS EN 13628-2 does not apply to residual solvents with amounts lower than 0,5 mg/m².
Note2: BS EN 13628-2 does not consider residues from thermal decomposition products.
BS EN 13628-2 on analysis of residual solvents in packaging materials is useful for:
Flexible packaging is essential in ensuring the safety, quality and shelf-life of packaged consumer products. During the process of manufacturing, shipping or storage, the packaging itself might leach solvents from the adhesives and printing inks or finishes into the very product it was meant to protect. When these are food products, residual solvents can cause significant health risks and negatively impact the taste, aroma, or appearance of the product.
BS EN 13628-2 provides you with rapid methods as commonly used in quality control for monitoring the level of residual solvents used in the production of flexible packaging by static headspace chromatography.
BS EN 13628-2 describes two methods semi-automatic/automatic injection and manual injection for quantitative analysis of residual solvents which will be carried out using one of the two methods of static headspace chromatography.
Use BS EN 13628-2 guidelines to adopt best industrial guidance on static headspace analysis of residual solvents in various flexible packaging and container materials.
EN 13628-2:2002