LFGB Test Lab

Introduction to LFGB

LFGB, also known as the Food, Tobacco Products, Cosmetics and Other Daily Necessities Management Act, is the most important basic legal document for food hygiene management in Germany, similar to the EU Directive 1935/2004/EC. The regulation outlines general and fundamental provisions for all aspects of German food. All food on the German market, as well as all food-related daily necessities, must comply with its basic provisions.

Daily necessities that come into contact with food, upon passing the required tests and complying with Articles 30 and 31 of the German Food and Commodities Act, can obtain an LFGB Test Report issued by an authorized institution proving them to be "products containing no chemical toxic substances," allowing them to be sold on the German market.

LFGB Testing Product Scope:

Fields involved include:

Ceramics, synthetic plastics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), plasticizers, paper products, leather, textiles, cosmetics, tobacco, etc.

Products involved include:

Electrical appliances in contact with food such as toasters, sandwich makers, and electric kettles; food storage supplies; kitchenware such as tempered glass chopping boards and stainless steel pots; tableware such as bowls, knives, spoons, cups, and plates; clothing, bedding, towels, wigs, false eyelashes, hats, diapers and other sanitary products, sleeping bags, shoes, gloves, watch straps, handbags, purses/wallets, briefcases, and chair covering materials; textile or leather toys and toys containing textile or leather clothing; yarn and fabrics for direct use; various cosmetics and tobacco products, etc.

Other products utilizing the latest technology:

Chrome plating on barbecue grills, temperature resistance testing of Teflon coatings on cooking pans, testing of silicone sealing rings in kettles, etc.

LFGB Test Items and Testing Requirements for Common Materials:

1. Initial inspection of samples and materials.

2. Sensory evaluation of odor and taste transfer.

3. Plastic samples: Testing for transferable components and extractable heavy metals.

4. Metals: Testing for composition and extractable heavy metals.

5. Silicone resins: Testing for transferable or volatile organic compounds.

6. Special materials: Chemical hazard inspection according to the German Chemicals Act.

7. Detection of certain azo dyes used on daily necessities such as textiles, leather, and polyester fibers.

8. Testing of harmful chemical components and heavy metals in cosmetics.

9. Testing of harmful components in tobacco.

Testing Requirements for Common Materials

• General Plastic Products
  Overall migration test and sensory test.

• PVC Plastic Products
  Overall migration test, vinyl chloride monomer test, peroxide value test, and sensory test.

• PE Plastic Products
  Overall migration test, peroxide value test, chromium content test, vanadium content test, zirconium content test, and sensory test.

• PS, ABS, SAN, Acrylic Plastic Products
  Overall migration test, peroxide value test, Total Volatile Organic Matter (VOM) test, and sensory test.

• PA, PU Plastic Products
  Overall migration test, peroxide value test, aromatic amine migration test, and sensory test.

• PET Plastic Products
  Overall migration test, peroxide value test, zinc content test, lead content test, overall migration test, and peroxide value test. (Note: Repeated items translated as per original text)

• Silicone Rubber Products
  Overall migration test, Volatile Organic Matter (VOM) content test, peroxide value test, organotin compounds test, and sensory test.

• Paper Products
  Pentachlorophenol (PCP) test, heavy metal (lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium - Pb, Cd, Hg, CrVI) release amount test, antimicrobial component migration test, formaldehyde content test, and an additional azo dye test for colored paper products.

• Products with Non-stick Coatings (Non-stick Pans)
  Overall migration test, phenol release amount test, formaldehyde release amount test, aromatic amine release amount test, hexavalent chromium (VI) release amount test, trivalent chromium (III) release amount test, PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) test, and sensory test.

• Metal, Alloy, and Electroplated Products
  Heavy metal (lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel) release amount test, and sensory test.

• PP Plastic Products
  Overall migration test, chromium content test, vanadium content test, zirconium content test, and sensory test.

• Baking Paper Products
  Appearance, thermal stability, antimicrobial component migration test, Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) test, formaldehyde release amount test, and sensory test.

• Wood Products
  Pentachlorophenol (PCP) test and sensory test.

Ceramic, Glass, and Enamel Products
Lead and cadmium release amount test for parts in contact with food, and an additional lead and cadmium release test for cup rims.