What FSC and PEFC Certification Actually Prove about Paper
FSC and PEFC prove auditable timber origin and mass-balance fiber accounting; they do not prove food safety, chemical purity, repulpability, or EUDR compliance.
PFAS Analysis
Chemical Screening
Comprehensive analytical spectrometry and chromatography quantify the presence and migration of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in packaging papers and barrier coatings. Food contact compliance teams conduct pfas analysis to detect persistent fluorinated compounds historically applied for grease and water repellency in fast food packaging, bakery bags and molded pulp containers. Laboratory techniques include liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for targeted compound identification and combustion ion chromatography to quantify total organic fluorine.
Sourcing specifications set strict non detectable thresholds to comply with evolving environmental and food contact legislation. The testing covers fluorinated chemical characterization and stops short of measuring non fluorinated silicone or wax based barrier additives.
Detection Methods
Analytical laboratories prepare paper specimens through solvent extraction or total combustion under controlled atmospheric conditions. Performing pfas analysis via combustion ion chromatography converts all organically bound fluorine into hydrogen fluoride gas, which dissolves into an aqueous stream for ion chromatography detection. Targeted testing uses high resolution mass spectrometry to isolate specific short chain and long chain perfluorinated carboxylic acids and sulfonates at parts per billion concentrations.
Matrix interferences from mineral fillers and processing aids require rigorous background calibration. Analytical precision ensures reliable trace detection down to regulatory reporting cutoffs.
Compliance Thresholds
Regulatory prohibitions across global jurisdictions increasingly restrict intentionally added fluorinated chemicals in food contact packaging. Routine verification through pfas analysis allows brand owners and paper converters to certify that greaseproof packaging contains zero intentionally added fluorinated treatments. Sourcing teams replace traditional fluorochemical sizing with aqueous dispersions, bio based barriers or mechanical pulp refining.
Failed sample tests lead to immediate lot rejections and commercial withdrawal. Systematic testing protocols verify the environmental safety of food service paper products.