Packaging intended for contact with food (FCM) must be safe for use (according to Framework Regulation EG no 1935/2004). At the same time, there are many demands for the use of recycled material in packaging. A solution can be to use functional barriers.

We offer evaluation of functional barriers by testing their permeability to specific substances. The substances are selected according to your specific needs and the evaluation is done using existing test conditions for FCM, such as the EU's plastic regulation, EU 10/2011.

A barrier test is put together based on what the barrier is intended to stop, the composition of the material or product and intended use. Depending on which substances are selected for the test, the analysis is done with GC-MS, LC-MS/MS or ICP-MS.

The results are compiled into an analytical report.

For orders and consultation, please contact our experts!

FCM.productsafety@ri.se

2-6 weeks depending on experimental conditions.

Is the product/service perceived as helping the user to make more environmentally friendly choices? The Human Experience unit at RISE has a broad experience of answering questions related to this in usability tests, where the focus is on the user's understanding and behaviour in sustainable choices.

The goal is to provide insight into the user's experience and use of the product and how we can use simple means to encourage and facilitate, so-called nudging, a more environmentally friendly use of products and services in our society today.

This can be applied to everything from how the packaging of the product should be recycled, how different words, icons, and explanations are perceived, prompts for how and when the product should be charged and not charged, how much energy the product consumes with different types of programmes and in standby mode, to how the product is best recycled or should be maintained to extend the life of the product.

We start from your needs analysis or help you in the choice of the right method of evaluation and implementation, analysis and compilation of the same.

Usability tests

Usability (user-friendliness) can be measured via the ISO standard 9241-11 through efficiency, effectiveness and satisfaction. Based on the same ISO standard and using similar methods, we can measure how clear your eco-friendly features and options are to the user.

In a usability test in our UX Lab, a facility specially designed for usability testing using the latest technology and with usability experts on site, the user performs scenarios that are observed and analysed. For example, we can look at whether the user finds the features that offer more sustainable use and whether the user perceives them as sustainable choices. Other suitable methods for exploring the experience of sustainable features and offers could be field tests, interviews, focus groups or digital surveys. There are many methods and we will help you choose the most effective one to answer your questions based on your needs and process.

Based on our conclusions, we deliver a summary and recommendations on how your product or service can be improved, which is a valuable contribution to decision-making and further development.

High-quality video recordings of the usability tests can be made and then edited into clear summaries, which are useful for further development and for communication and presentation internally to pass on the insights.

9241-11

Moisture puts buildings at risk for mould damages, with negative consequences to both economy and health. Mould is not acceptable in a building if there is a risk of it affecting the indoor environment. When mould is indicated, or the end users experience problems in the indoor environment, microbial analyses are often used as an investigative aid.

The purpose of this service is to determine the presence and extent of microbial growth, commonly called mould, on material surfaces. The service is mainly used for analyses of microbial growth on building materials from buildings. Other materials can also be analysed, such as textiles and packaging materials.

Analyses are performed according to SP-MET 3881, a well-documented method with proven efficacy which is used by several institutions nationally in Sweden. A quantitative analysis of the material is performed under light microscopy. The analysed microorganisms are fungi and a type of bacteria, actinomycetes. The extent of growth is evaluated and classified as ample, moderate, sparse, or no extent.

Analysis results are given in tabular form in a written report, along with guidelines for interpretation of results. The analyses provide the status of the sample provided, not the construction as a whole. Any suggested corrective measured for the building can not be based solely on these analysis results. Please bear in mind also that even if there is a documented connection between moisture, mould and health problems in the indoor environment, there is not currently any single microbial analysis which can determine potential ill health effects.

Normal delivery time for analysis results is 5-10 standard working days. Faster results can per special agreement be provided within 1-3 standard working days.

1550 SEK for the first sample, 1400 SEK per extra sample in the same test lot. For express analyses, an express fee á +400 SEK per sample is applied.

Material samples are to be placed in paper envelopes or paper bags after sampling. Samples are not to be placed in plastic bags as there is a risk of elevating moisture levels and thus a risk of exacerbating the microbial growth.

It is important that the sample is representative of the construction. The person collecting the samples is responsible for the fulfilment of this condition.

Samples are sent to: RISE Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Johanna Elam, Box 857, 50115 Borås, SWEDEN. If you are in need of fast results, please contact us beforehand via e-mail/form. 

SP-MET 3881

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) is a class of chemicals found in, among other things, food contact materials, and they have garnered increasing attention as they are ubuiquitous, persistent and could have adverse effects on human health and the environment.

Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) is a class of industrial chemicals which includes more than 4000 different compounds.  PFAS are widely used in food contact materials (FCMs) due to their water-repellent and non-stick properties. PFAS are highly persistent and bioaccumulated. Exposure to PFAS may lead to adverse effects on human health.

Currently there are no European harmonized restrictions for the use of PFAS in FCMs. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has made a new risk assessment related to the exposure of PFAS with focus on four compounds, namely perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), and perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS).

Our laboratory of Product Safety offers testing solution for PFAS at trace level based on LC-MS/MS methods. We can help you to identify and quantify PFAS in final FCM products, semi-finished products, and raw materials. In addition to the four PFAS mentioned above, we have also the possibility to analyze other PFAS that are commonly regulated. The option to analyze particular PFAS can be added upon request from our customers. Please contact our analytical specialist for more detailed information.

The results are compiled into an analytical report.

For orders and consultation, please contact our experts!

FCM.productsafety@ri.se

2-6 weeks depending on experimental conditions.

Food contact safety is an issue of very high concern for all kinds of materials and products. Our core activity in this area is analysis of materials intended for food contact (FCM).

We offer testing in compliance with regulations or requirements (e.g. EU Commission Regulation 10/2011, national regulations such as BfR XXXVI, Chinese standard GB 4806.8, PPWR 2025/40, FDA or industry guidelines).

The analytical results serve as the basis for demonstrating compliance with regulations, and support product development and problem solving.

A migration/extraction is performed based on the material composition and requirements on the product, and the metal content is then analyzed using ICP-MS. 

Analysis of several of the metals is accredited according to ISO 17025.

The results are compiled into an analytical report.

For orders and consultation, please contact our experts!

2-4 weeks depending on experimental conditions.

Do you want to characterize a material regarding its thermal conductivity or thermal transport parameters at high temperatures? We can measure effective thermal conductivity up to 1 100 °C

To assess thermal transport (effective thermal conductivity and diffusivity) for solids at high temperatures.

Thermal capacitance (Slug) calorimeter is used for the determination of apparent thermal conductivity and diffusivity of solid materials. This method can be applied to both highly insulating and conducting materials.

Temperature range of this method is between 22 °C and 1 100 °C.

After the measurements have been performed, a report is delivered that describes the test, the procedure, and results.

1-2 weeks after that the materials arrived at RISE

ASTM E 2584 - 20

Corrosion tests with corrosive gases are used when the corrosive atmosphere not solely is constituted of moisture and salts but also inorganic aggressive gases. The ambient environment is usually not only constituted of inorganic gases but also moisture and salts. In these cases, RISE may use both corrosive gas and salt mist.

Accelerated corrosion testing with aggressive inorganic gases are utilized to simulate in-use conditions. A good estimation regarding the lifetime of products and technical systems is gained if a strong acceleration of the in-use conditions is used and the correct degradation mechanisms are proven.

To secure that the proper simulation of in-use conditions is used in the corrosion test, a verification of the degradation accuracy must be conducted. RISE use comparators, in this case metal coupons, to decide on type of test and corrosive level of the corrosion test to satisfy the needs of our customers.

These tests may be used both for comparable test, i.e., developing a new surface coating as well as estimate the life-time of new products.

The tests are performed in climatic chambers using well defined parameters such as; temperature (T) / Relative Humidity (RH) / gas concentrations etc. In order to secure the correctness of the levels of the present parameters all instruments are calibrated.

In our tests copper coupons are included to measure that the strength of the tests have been at the right level, i.e. corrosive gases, T and RH. Even for the corrosion standards copper coupons is the criterion for a well-performed test.

We perform chemical/physical analysis after the conclusion of the corrosion tests according to the customer’s needs. Surface analysis and thoroughly inspections of the tested objects are included in the commission established between the customer and RISE prior to start of the test. Test objects can also be biased with current or voltage during the test exposure, however, the effect of this bias should not affect testing conditions, i.e. affect temperature and relative humidity. This would mean that the standard in question is used incorrectly.

The following standard accredited test methods are used at our laboratory:

• ISO 21207
• IEC 60068-2-60, method 1-4
• IEC 60068-2-42, 43
• ISO 10062

In addition to common available tests on the market, other tests including the following corrosive gases could be performed at RISE, such as SO₂, NO₂, H₂S, Cl₂ and NH₃.

The results are delivered in a RISE report, eventually added data could be added according to the customer’s desire.

The test are started at once, provided no other booking occupies the starting date. RISE is aiming to deliver the test report within 1 week after the test´s closure.

The customer is filling in a questionary, including all  information of the test objects, prior to order confirmation is finished. Thereafter 1-3 days are needed for RISE to prepare for the test to be started

ISO 21207

IEC 60068-2-60, metod 1-4

IEC 60068-2-42, 43

ISO 10062

Deposits, stickies, scales and contaminations in the pulp mills often causes disturbance and loss of efficiency in the processes and affects the quality of the final products.

To solve problems with, for example, deposits, stickies and contaminations in processes or to find out where stains or defects in products come from, information on what they consist of is necessary. The chemical composition needs to be characterized and identified to solve problems and improve processes.

We have extensive experience in the analysis of this type of samples, we use several different techniques, depending on the sample type, for the identification of components in the samples. The investigations can often be started immediately, without long planning and preparation.

We use several different methods that combine organic analysis, inorganic analysis and microscopy analysis to characterize the sample.

The results are compiled in an analysis report.

Normally within 1-2 weeks, shorter by agreement.

Different fluids and pastes have different thermal conductivities at different temperatures. We perform thermal conductivity measurement on different fluids as well as oils, coolants, colloidal suspensions, aerogels, etc

To determine the thermal conductivity (λ) on different fluids such as oils and pastes.  

Transient Hot-Wire (THW) method according to ASTM D7896-19 for the determination of thermal conductivity, resistivity and diffusivity on different fluids and pastes. The measurements are performed in a temperature range between -50 and 100 °C.

After the measurements have been performed, a report is delivered that describes the test, the procedure, and results.

1-2 weeks after that the material arrived at RISE

The materials need at least 24 hours conditioning before the measurements. It will be done by RISE.

ASTM D7896-19

Materials in contact with hygiene products and cosmetics are, like foodstuffs, in direct and regular contact with people, thereby necessitating strict control of which substances that can migrate. Many products are also fatty and are kept in packaged form for extended time, further tightening the requirements on the material.

We offer analyses on material in contact with hygiene products and cosmetics, which can be expected to have similar, but not more strict, regulations as food contact materials (FCM). Under current legislation for cosmetic products (EC 1223/2009), there are no explicit procedures to determine the migration of forbidden or restricted substances from the packaging material, and the recommendation is to do analyses based on the guidelines for FCM (e.g. EU 10/2011). 

An analysis package is constructed based on the material composition and intended use, in accordance with recommendations for FCM deemed the most applicable. Our available analyses include, among others, overall migration, specific migration and subsequent analysis with GC-MS or LC-MS/MS, and metal analysis using ICP-MS. 

The results are compiled into an analytical report.

For orders and consultation, please contact our experts!

FCM.productsafety@ri.se

2-6 weeks depending on experimental conditions.

SS-EN 13130-1:2004

SS-EN 16343:2013