What is BS EN 646 - colour fastness of dyed paper about?
This European standard helps its users to improve the quality of their packaging intended or food products by providing them guidance on determining the colour fastness of paper used for packaging.
BS EN 646 describes procedures for the testing of dyed paper and board intended to come into contact with foodstuffs. Some procedures depending on the foreseeable use of the material are given.
Visual evaluation against a grey scale provides grading of the bleeding.
For samples having significant different sides, migration can occur from one glass fibre to the other and could lead to the wrong interpretation of the fastness of one side. It is advisable to check these samples using a large sampling procedure to prevent cross-contamination of the glass fibre during the migration procedure. The procedure is described in Annex A. If a lower limit of detection is required, this procedure could also be used.
Who is BS EN 646 - colour fastness of dyed paper for?
BS EN 646 on determining colour fastness of dyed paper used in food packaging is useful for:
- Packaged food industry
- Packaging companies
- Food safety inspection departments
Why should you use BS EN 646- colour fastness of dyed paper?
Colour fastness is the migration of colours used in the packaging materials towards other liquids and them mixing with them. Colour fastness in papers and boards intended to carry or store food products can ruin the aesthetic, flavour and quality of the food products.
BS EN 646 provides you with the necessary requirements and a detailed account of the test procedures to help you determine the colour fastness of your products when they come in contact with foodstuffs.
Overall, the test methods described in BS EN 646 help you to enhance the quality of your paper packaging by identifying its colour fastness at varying temperatures and also with oil products.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 646:2018 supersedes EN 646:2006. With regard to EN 646:2006 the following changes have been made in BS EN 646:2018:
- Clause 1 “Scope” has been revised and extended
- In Clause 6 “Reagents” the test fluid “saliva simulant ” has been removed and the test fluid “alkaline salt solution” has been introduced
- New test conditions, matching the use of the tested papers and boards have been included
- New definition for the glass fibre papers has been included
- Evaluation against a grey scale only has been included
- Editorial changes