Testing on Silicones

A variety of substances are used in the manufacture of silicone. Many of them can migrate into the food. Some EU countries such as France or Spain do include silicones in their national legislations, but at EU level there are no specific harmonised regulations that specify the requirements for the silicone used in food contact materials and articles. 

However, there are two European guidelines on food contact silicone.

One of them is Resolution Res AP 2005(5) which was published by the European Council. This resolution contains a list of substances that can be used in the manufacture of silicone. The list is not a positive list of authorised substances, but it can be used to lean on when assessing the precautions to be taken when the substances are used. In addition, the resolution specifies a limit value of 10 mg/dm² for overall migration. All food contact materials and articles made of silicone must observe this limit.

The other one is guideline no. XV, issued by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR). This guideline mentions a number of substances that are evaluated in relation to the use in silicone – and a number of restrictions in the form of specific migration limits for various substances.