BS EN 15137-2006 PDF

Full title and description

Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs — Certain epoxy derivatives subject to limitation — Determination of NOGE and its hydroxy and chlorinated derivatives. This European/British Standard (EN 15137:2006 / BS EN 15137:2006) specifies a validated analytical procedure for detecting and quantifying novolac glycidyl ethers (NOGE) and selected hydroxy and chlorinated derivatives in food-contact coatings (particularly can and organosol coatings).

Abstract

EN 15137:2006 defines sample extraction and chromatographic analysis steps to determine NOGE components (multi‑ring epoxy compounds with at least one epoxy group) and their hydrolysis/chlorination products (molecular mass < 1 000 Da). The method uses solvent extraction of coating materials followed by reversed‑phase HPLC with fluorescence detection and, where appropriate, forced alkaline hydrolysis for confirmation and simplified quantification. The procedure supports regulatory compliance testing for restricted epoxy derivatives in food-contact materials.

General information

• Status: Published / Confirmed (BSI listing shows the standard as current/confirmed).
• Publication date: 31 March 2006 (EN designation: 2006).
• Publisher: British Standards Institution (BSI) / CEN (as EN 15137:2006).
• ICS / categories: 67.250 — Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs; (also relevant to chemical analysis categories such as 71.040.40).
• Edition / version: EN 15137:2006 (first edition), published as BS EN 15137:2006.
• Number of pages: 28 pages.

Scope

This standard applies to the determination of novolac glycidyl ethers (NOGE) and their hydroxy and chlorinated derivatives present in coatings of materials and articles intended to be in contact with food. It covers extraction of coating samples, chromatographic separation and detection conditions, identification and confirmation strategies (including forced alkaline hydrolysis to convert epoxy/chlorohydrin products to corresponding diols), and reporting of results. The method is intended for residues and reaction products with molecular masses below 1 000 daltons and is suitable for routine laboratory and conformity testing of can and related coatings.

Key topics and requirements

• Target analytes: NOGE isomers (multi‑aromatic‑ring glycidyl ethers), hydroxy derivatives and chlorinated derivatives (M < 1 000 Da).
• Sample extraction: specified solvent volume and conditions (e.g., acetonitrile extraction of coatings with defined solvent-to-area ratio and contact time; alternative validated extraction conditions allowed).
• Analytical technique: reversed‑phase HPLC with fluorescence detection (recommended excitation/emission wavelengths and C18 separations) and appropriate calibration/standards.
• Confirmation: forced alkaline hydrolysis (borate buffer, elevated temperature/time) to convert epoxy and chlorohydrin species into hydrolysis products for clearer identification and quantification.
• Performance: method capability to quantify low‑level residues (procedural detection/quantification limits, precision and identification criteria described in the standard).
• Reagents and apparatus: lists of required solvents, buffers, HPLC system characteristics and reference materials for identification (where available).

Typical use and users

Used by analytical and quality laboratories performing migration/residue testing on food-contact coatings, by coating and can manufacturers for quality control, and by regulatory bodies and notified/testing laboratories verifying compliance with EU restrictions on certain epoxy derivatives. It is applied in routine testing, product development and failure investigation where residual epoxy monomers or reaction products are a concern.

Related standards

EN 15137:2006 is part of the body of standards and guidance for materials in contact with food and analytical test methods (for example, standards and guidance on plastics migration testing and methods for substances subject to limitation such as EN 13130 series). It supports conformity assessment to European regulatory measures addressing epoxy derivatives in food-contact materials (references and normative documents are listed within the standard).

Keywords

NOGE, novolac glycidyl ether, epoxy derivatives, chlorohydrins, hydroxy derivatives, food-contact materials, can coatings, HPLC‑fluorescence, migration testing, analytical method, EN 15137:2006, BS EN 15137:2006.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: EN 15137:2006 (published as BS EN 15137:2006) is a European/British standard that specifies a laboratory method for the determination of novolac glycidyl ethers (NOGE) and certain hydroxy and chlorinated derivatives in food‑contact coatings.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample extraction from coatings, chromatographic separation and detection (reversed‑phase HPLC with fluorescence detection), confirmation by forced alkaline hydrolysis, performance characteristics (limits, precision) and reporting requirements for NOGE and related derivatives (molecular mass < 1 000 Da).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Analytical chemists in food‑contact materials laboratories, coating and can manufacturers (quality control and R&D), contract testing labs and regulatory conformity assessors use this standard.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document was published in 2006 as EN 15137:2006 / BS EN 15137:2006 and is listed by national bodies/publishers as the 2006 edition; users should check national standards catalogues or the publisher for the latest confirmation or any amendments before relying on it for regulatory compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It forms part of the wider set of standards for materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs and analytical test methods (standards addressing specific substances subject to limitation and migration test methods). Normative references and related EN standards are listed inside the document.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: NOGE, epoxy derivatives, can coatings, food-contact materials, HPLC, fluorescence detection, hydrolysis, chlorohydrins, analytical method, migration testing.