Safety of Bio-Based, Compostable and Recycled FCMs

Let our experts support you with assuring the FCM safety of your complete value chain.

Many companies have adopted sustainable business initiatives and are renewing their complete Food Contact Material product portfolio. These practices have taken place in a variety of industries, ranging from packaging and kitchenware to toys. Companies have heavily invested to use raw materials or products that are bio-based, compostable or originate from recycled materials. But whether you’re making the switch or you have already shifted to sustainable FCMs, you need to ensure that your end products are safe for consumers and compliant with current legislations. TÜV Rheinland can support you with full turn-key, comprehensive services!

To ensure the safety of your products and their sustainability requirements, a full skill set to assess the ingredients, audit processes, and test products are at your disposal through TUV Rheinland experts and specialized laboratories along with sustainable certification services provided by DIN CERTCO. The latter encompasses individual components, raw materials, production and recycling processes, packaging, as well as the finished FCM articles.

Ask about our sustainable FCM services services.

In addition to the implementation of new sustainable measures by existing companies, numerous start-ups have founded their business models on the development and use of bio-based, compostable or recyclable materials and products containing components originating from recycling processes. However, many of them still struggle when it comes to knowledge of compliance and safety standards on Food Contact Materials. At TÜV Rheinland we assist any business – young or established, large or small – with highly specialized FCM services to assess products and processes regarding sustainability and food contact safety requirements. For example, we can support with pre-validation of the safe recycling of RPET through audits and challenge tests, and pre-assess the completion of technical dossiers before their submission to EFSA or FDA.

Our services in the area of bio-based and compostable FCM materials as well as FCM products from recycled materials include:

• FCM regulatory services and assessments
• Ingredient assessment
• Application and notification services
• Declaration of Compliance management
• Raw material and article testing:
  • Targeted substances
    • e.g. PFOA, MOHs, MOHAs, etc.
  • Untargeted NIAS
    • extraction and migration screenings
  • Sensory tests
  • Challenge tests for recycling process qualification and application to EFSA and US requirements
  • Biodegradability and compostability performance testing to obtain
    • DIN CERTCO SAFCM and Californian certifications, i.e. ecotoxicity, ISO 17088 / EN 13432 / EN 14995, ASTM D6400, ASTM D5338 / ISO 14855, SB-270
    • Reusable Bags compliant with the California Bag Ban
    • Biodegradability based on the Association Standards for Take-out Food Service (Internet) Shanghai association of FCM (SAFCM)
• Training services on sustainable topics and practices
• Customized audit services of :
  • Manufacturing recycling process
  • Ocean Bound Waste Recycling audit scheme
• DIN CERTCO product certification services for bio-based, compostable and recycled materials

With our one-stop, comprehensive range of solutions, you benefit from our expertise with safe and sustainable Food Contact Materials, as well as our certification services. We can support you with ensuring that your FCM raw materials, packaging and products are compliant and safe for the end consumer. Don’t take chances – get in touch with us today!