SIST EN 647:1997

Overview

SIST EN 647:1997 is a European standard focused on the preparation of a hot water extract from paper and board materials intended for direct or indirect contact with foodstuffs. Issued by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST), this standard outlines procedures to obtain extracts for further analysis of substances that may migrate from paper and board into food. Adhering to SIST EN 647 aids manufacturers and laboratories in ensuring quality and safety of food contact materials, in alignment with food safety regulations across Europe.

Key Topics

• Hot Water Extraction: Specifies detailed procedures for preparing a hot water extract from paper and board. This extract simulates potential migration of substances when these materials come into contact with moist or hot food.
• Food Contact Materials: Addresses only those paper and board products intended to touch food directly or indirectly in packaging, service, or manufacturing processes.
• Testing Extractives: The method sets the stage for identifying and quantifying extractives that could pose health risks or affect food quality.
• Standard Consistency: Ensures interoperability and reproducibility between laboratories and production sites throughout Europe.

Applications

• Product Safety Evaluation: Essential for manufacturers of food packaging, wrappers, and containers to evaluate whether their products release undesirable substances under typical food contact conditions.
• Compliance Assessment: Forms a crucial step in demonstrating compliance with European Union regulations on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.
• Quality Control in Production: Enables quality assurance labs to regularly assess batch-to-batch consistency of paper and board products, reducing the risk of contamination or quality failures.
• Research & Development: Supports R&D teams in developing new paper and board materials by allowing them to test and optimize extractive profiles during the design phase.

Related Standards

For a comprehensive approach to food contact materials testing, the following standards are often used together with SIST EN 647:1997:

• EN 1186: Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs - Plastics
• EN 645: Determination of cold water extract in paper and board intended to come into contact with foodstuffs
• EN 646: Determination of color transfer from paper and board
• EN 648: Determination of fastness of dye on paper and board in contact with food
• ISO 22000: Food safety management systems

Practical Value

SIST EN 647:1997 provides a reliable and standardized method for preparing hot water extracts, ensuring the safety and suitability of paper and board for food contact applications. Its use is vital for any company in the food packaging supply chain, from material producers to finished product manufacturers and testing laboratories. By implementing this standard, businesses minimize regulatory risks, safeguard consumer health, and enhance trust in the quality of their food contact materials.

Keywords: SIST EN 647:1997, food contact materials, paper and board, hot water extract, extractives testing, food safety, packaging standards, European standard, compliance, laboratory testing.