Overview
SIST-TS CEN/TS 18244:2026 is a technical specification developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) that provides a standardized method for testing paper and board materials for the transfer, or migration, of mineral oil hydrocarbons (MOH) - specifically, mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH). This standard is particularly relevant for food contact materials made from recycled pulp, as well as materials made from virgin fibres. The method outlined is designed to estimate the extent of migration from paper and board products, including those designed with barrier technologies or other functional measures to reduce the migration of these substances.
Key Topics
- Mineral Oil Hydrocarbons (MOH): Focuses on the detection and quantification of MOSH and MOAH, which are contaminants of concern in food packaging due to their potential migration into foodstuffs.
- Food Contact Materials: Applies to paper and board intended for use as food packaging, whether manufactured from recycled fibers or virgin material.
- Standardized Migration Test: Utilizes poly(2,6-diphenyl-p-phenylene oxide) (MPPO; e.g., Tenax®) as a simulant to assess transfer under controlled conditions (time and temperature).
- Functional Barriers: Evaluates the performance of technical solutions-such as coatings or other functional barriers-designed to prevent or reduce migration.
- Analytical Approach: Involves the use of gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) or high-performance liquid chromatography-gas chromatography (HPLC-GC-FID) for quantification.
Applications
Implementing SIST-TS CEN/TS 18244:2026 is essential for:
- Packaging Manufacturers: Enables the assessment of recycled and virgin fiber cardboard or paper intended for food contact, ensuring compliance with food safety requirements.
- Food Industry: Supports risk analysis and safer packaging system design by quantifying potential migration of harmful hydrocarbons from packaging into food.
- Testing Laboratories: Offers a harmonized and repeatable method for determining the migration of MOSH and MOAH, facilitating regulatory compliance and product quality assurance.
- Regulatory Authorities: Provides standardized data for monitoring, market surveillance, and enforcing food safety legislation regarding packaging materials.
- Product Development: Assists in developing packaging solutions that minimize mineral oil migration, thereby improving food safety and addressing consumer concerns.
Related Standards
Several related standards and references are valuable when implementing or working alongside SIST-TS CEN/TS 18244:2026, including:
- EN 1186-1: Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs – Plastics. Guide to the selection of conditions and test methods for overall migration.
- EN 14338: Paper and board intended to come into contact with foodstuffs – Conditions for determination of migration from paper and board using MPPO as a simulant.
- BfR and FAO/WHO Guidance: Documents concerning the occurrence, assessment, and toxicology of mineral oil hydrocarbons in food and packaging.
- ISO/IEC Terminology: Standardized vocabulary for technical terms relating to hydrocarbons and food contact materials.
Practical Value
- Ensures Food Safety: By providing a reliable test for mineral oil transfer, the standard helps manufacturers validate material suitability for food packaging applications.
- Supports Regulatory Compliance: Aligns with European food contact material requirements, reducing the risk of market recalls or regulatory noncompliance.
- Facilitates Innovation: Enables the effective evaluation of new barrier technologies designed to restrict mineral oil migration into foodstuffs.
With rigorous, harmonized testing methods outlined in SIST-TS CEN/TS 18244:2026, stakeholders throughout the packaging supply chain can better safeguard food products, comply with regulations, and advance environmentally responsible, safe food packaging solutions.
Keywords: mineral oil hydrocarbons, MOSH, MOAH, food contact materials, recycled pulp, paper and board testing, migration test, packaging safety, SIST-TS CEN/TS 18244:2026, barrier technology, food packaging compliance.