Your need: analyze and control the safety of your packaging materials
What is product packaging?
Product packaging refers to any material used to contain, protect, transport or preserve a product. Depending on the industry, packaging can be made from a wide variety of materials such as:
plastics and polymers
metal packaging
coatings, adhesives and printing inks
glass containers
paperboard or multilayer materials
Beyond its protective role, packaging is a key element in ensuring the safety, stability and quality of products, particularly in regulated sectors such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and food.
However, packaging materials may interact with the product they contain. These container–content interactions can lead to the migration of chemical substances from the packaging into the product.
These interactions may result in:
- contamination of the product
- degradation of the formulation
- alteration of taste, odor or color
- loss of product stability
- regulatory non-compliance
For these reasons, packaging analysis is essential during product development and regulatory validation.
Packaging regulations in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food industries
To guarantee consumer safety, packaging materials are subject to numerous international regulations. Manufacturers must demonstrate that packaging materials do not release substances that could affect product safety or quality.
Several regulatory frameworks govern packaging safety.
In the pharmaceutical industry, compatibility studies between container and contents are mandatory during the marketing authorization process.
These requirements are described in the European Pharmacopoeia and international guidelines concerning extractables and leachables.
The Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, particularly Article 17 and Annex I, requires manufacturers to ensure that packaging materials do not compromise product safety.
Packaging components must therefore be assessed to evaluate potential migration of undesirable substances.
Food packaging must comply with strict European regulations including:
- Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 on materials intended to come into contact with food
- Regulation (EU) 10/2011 on plastic materials
- Directive 82/711/EEC and ISO 1186 regarding migration testing
- Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC
These regulations require the evaluation of overall and specific migration from packaging materials into food products.
Packaging materials must also comply with REACH regulations, particularly regarding restricted substances such as PFAS or heavy metals.
Chemical analysis is therefore essential to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.
Analysis of packaging : what do the regulations say ?
Product packaging has become a concerning subject due to regulations becoming more stringent. In the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, the type of packaging used mainly depends on container/contents interactions.
Why realise chemical analysis of PFAS in packaging materials?
For example, when applying for a marketing authorization for a new pharmaceutical, cosmetic or food product, compatibility tests between containers and contents are mandatory. Therefore, from the European Pharmacopoeia to the Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 (Article 17 & Annex I), through the Packaging & Waste Regulations 94/62/EC, REACH, Food Regulation 1935/2004, Directive 82/711/EC and ISO Standard 1186 (Food Contact), Directive 2002/72/EC and Regulation 10/2011 (Plastics), all industrial sectors are subject to stringent rules concerning the analysis of their packaging before release.
Our solution : to analyze the compatibility between packaging its contents
FILAB expertise in packaging materials analysis
FILAB supports manufacturers in evaluating the chemical composition and safety of packaging materials.
Our laboratory performs advanced analytical studies to identify substances that may migrate from packaging into products and affect their quality or safety.
Our teams help manufacturers identify potential extractables and leachables, assess contamination risks and ensure regulatory compliance.
Techniques used by FILAB to analyze packaging materials
The analysis of cosmetic, food or pharmaceutical products are classed based on their chemical composition. Using our analytical fleet, we are able to carry out various analysis :
Gas chromatography (GC-MS)
Gas chromatography (GC-MS)
Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry allows the detection, identification and quantification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). For highly volatile compounds, Headspace GC analysis can be performed.
Liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS)
Liquid chromatography (LC-MS/MS)
Liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry enables the detection of non-volatile organic compounds at trace levels. FILAB also uses a Corona universal detector, expanding the spectrum of detectable organic molecules.
Container–content compatibility studies
FILAB also performs container–content compatibility studies to evaluate interactions between packaging materials and product formulations.
These studies help identify:
- migration of packaging compounds
- degradation products
- adsorption of active ingredients onto packaging surfaces
- stability changes during storage
Compatibility testing is essential for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food products.
Why call on FILAB to analyze product packaging ?
FILAB is an independent analytical laboratory specialized in advanced chemical analysis for industrial applications.
Our laboratory provides:
- state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation
- multisector expertise
- customized analytical strategies adapted to each product and packaging type
Our chemical engineers and PhD scientists support manufacturers throughout the entire packaging evaluation process to ensure product safety, regulatory compliance and packaging reliability.
Cosmetics: how to analyze the additives in your packaging materials
Learn moreOur FAQ
Packaging analysis consists of identifying and quantifying chemical substances present in packaging materials to evaluate their safety and regulatory compliance. It helps detect compounds that may migrate into the product.
Packaging analysis ensures that packaging materials do not contaminate or alter the product they contain. It guarantees product safety and compliance with international regulations.
Several substances may migrate from packaging into products, including plasticizers, solvents, additives, oligomers, heavy metals and PFAS compounds.
Packaging analysis is essential in regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food and chemicals.
Packaging materials can be analyzed using techniques such as GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, ICP-MS and migration testing methods.
Extractables are compounds that can be extracted from packaging materials under aggressive conditions, while leachables are substances that actually migrate into the product during normal storage conditions.
To obtain a quote, you can contact our team via our contact form, by phone, or by email.
Simply tell us your requirements (type of material, desired analysis, applicable standards, urgency, quantity of samples, etc.). We will then send you a personalized technical and pricing proposal within 24-48 hours.
Turnaround times vary depending on the nature of the analysis and the complexity of the expert assessment project.
However, FILAB is committed to providing fast turnaround times tailored to your industrial constraints and urgent needs.
