Paper and board are widely used to pack food, from bags and boxes to packaging for bakery products and frozen food. Like any food contact material, they must not transfer substances into the food that could affect its safety or quality.
What we test
We can help you review the documents provided by your supplier and design a suitable testing protocol, taking into account the type of food (dry, fatty, moist), the conditions of use and any coatings or printing inks. Recycled paper and board may need extra attention, as they can carry substances from the source materials.
The laboratory can carry out related analyses such as the determination of certain metals, moisture content or microbiological checks on packaging. For tests that require specific methods or equipment, we discuss case by case what can be done in our laboratory.
Regulatory framework
General requirements for food contact materials are set by Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, and good manufacturing practice by Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006. There is currently no specific harmonised EU measure for paper and board.
How we work
We start from a description of the material and how it is used, then agree the tests needed. Results are issued in a test report; accredited tests are marked as such on the report and are those listed in the annex to our RENAR accreditation certificate.
Parameters and determinations
Food contact materials
- Review of compliance documentation
- Design of a testing protocol
Related analyses
- Metals subcontracted
"RENAR accredited" links to the matching row of the accredited-tests table below (RENAR annex no. 1/24.04.2026); "authorised, not accredited" means authorised by ANSVSA (authorisation no. 95/24.09.2025) but outside the accreditation; "subcontracted" means performed by a partner laboratory. An analysis with two labels is accredited only for the matrices and methods in the table. "Not accredited" (non-food products, which need no authorisation) means performed in the ICA laboratory or by a partner laboratory, outside the accreditation.
This list is not exhaustive and not all determinations are accredited. For anything not listed here, please contact our sales team.