ILC 02 2015, specific migration in food simulant A : report of the inter-laboratory comparison

This report presents the results of an inter-laboratory comparison on the specific migration of caprolactam (CAP) and 2,4-di-tert butyl phenol (2,4-DTBP) from a plastic food contact material in food simulant A (ethanol 10 %, v/v) organised by the EURL-FCM, Ispra (Italy). Homogeneity and stability studies were conducted. Participants had to carry out a migration test by immersion with food simulant A for 10 days at 60oC, to quantify the migration of caprolactam (CAP) in food simulant A, and to provide details of the analytical and sample extraction procedure. In addition a by-product 2,4- di-tert butyl phenol (2,4-DTBP) was also present and had to be quantified. The assigned values of the migration of the migrant were calculated as the robust mean of the results reported by the participants by applying the Q/Hampel method robust statistics. The participation to the ILC was satisfactory with 28 out of 29 participating laboratories submitting results. The z-score values of the laboratories for each substance were calculated based on the assigned value. In the case of CAP and also for the more challenging non intentionally added substances 2,4-DTBP more than 82% of the results were fully satisfactory ( z-score <2). This percentage rose to close to 90% for z-scores <3 in the compliance evaluation of the regulated substance CAP.