Proficiency testing
“Consumer goods / packaging”
With our proficiency testing program for consumer goods and packaging, we offer you a comprehensive selection of various matrices (food contact materials (FCM), textiles, jewelry, toys, cosmetics and much more). More than 200 proficiency tests from the following disciplines are available to choose from:
e.g. for ingredients and additives, residues and contaminants (e.g. mineral oil), migration, extraction
immunologic, molecular biologic, microbiologic testing
e.g. indicator organisms (including aerobic spore formers, thermophilic bacteria, yeasts and molds) and risk group 2 pathogens (including S. aureus, Ps. aeruginosa, C. albicans) in real matrices.
organoleptic (sensory) testing
e.g. for food contact materials (FCM), paper/ cardboard, threshold testing
Search your parameters directly in our online store: Here you can find the Onlineshop
The following matrices are available:
consumer goods with food contact (FCM)
e.g. plastics, plastic film, paper and board, kitchen utensils and dishes, canning, glass, printing ink
consumer goods with body contact
e.g. cosmetics, leather, textiles, jewellry, toys, tattoo ink
For the year 2025, we have included the following new proficiency tests in the programme, among others:
Plastic, plastic film
• Elements
The determination of various elements is important for testing compliance with the RoHS Directive, among other things.
• Plastics - residual solvents (part 1 and part 2)
• Plastics - VOC, SVOC
The emission of residual solvents from consumer goods is an established part of product testing. The determination of individual substances as well as the sum parameters VOC and SVOC are used to estimate consumer exposure.
• Materials in contact with drinking water - leachable organic substances
Testing according to DIN EN 15768. The semi-quantitative concentration estimation and identification of the detected substances is part of the interlaboratory test.
• Enterobacteriaceae or Listeria spp. plastic surface
determination of surface microbial counts
Kitchen utensils and dishes
• Metals and alloys - Migration of metals part 1 (filling the object)
• Metals and alloys - Migration of metals part 2 (immersion of the object)
Migration of selected metals with the simulants artificial tap water (according to DIN EN 16889:2016-10) and 0.5 % citric acid (based on the EDQM Guide 2013).
PFAS in various consumer goods - new parameters incl. total fluorine
We offer you a significantly expanded parameter selection of individual perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances for all PFAS proficiency tests. In addition, we offer the parameter total fluorine for all our PFAS rounds.
Paper and cardboard
The portfolio of possible matrices for the determination of surface microbial counts will also be expanded in 2025 to include the paper matrix for the following parameters.
• Aerobic bacteria or molds on paper, cardboard (ISO 8784-2)
Disinfectant
The field of disinfectants has been significantly specified and expanded for 2025 (e.g. with regard to various phase 2, step 2 methods), including
• Bactericidal activity (EN 17387, EN 13697) or
• Wipes (4-field test) Bactericidal activity (EN 16615)
Toys
The field of consumer goods in microbiology will be expanded for the first time to include the matrix toys and both a quantitative and a qualitative proficiency test will be offered.
• Enterobacteriaceae or Salmonella spp. in toys containing aqueous media
Reference Material Consumer goods / packaging:
As an addition to our proficiency tests, we offer certified reference materials. This material is available in all areas where proficiency testing is offered. The application possibilities are manifold, whether for keeping control charts, for validation between two proficiency test participations or for training of employees.
Click here to go directly to the reference material “Consumer goods / packaging”.