Plastic bags quality grade judgment method
1. Material Composition and Safety Requirements
1.1 Food Contact Materials Regulation EU 10/2011
Maximum migration limits
Heavy metals Cd/Pb less than 0.01 mg/kg
Phthalates maximum 0.1%
Requires three consecutive migration tests for reusable items
1.2 Recycled Materials Standard EN 15343:2008
Minimum 30% post-consumer recycled content
Complete supply chain traceability required
2. Physical Performance Specifications
2.1 Thickness Requirements EU Directive 2019/904
Below 50μm: single use only
Below 15μm: prohibited for commercial use
2.2 Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength requirements:
Food grade minimum 25 MPa (HDPE)
General use minimum 18 MPa (LDPE)
Heat seal strength minimum 2.5 N/15mm
3. Environmental Compliance Standards
3.1 Biodegradability Requirements EN 13432
Minimum 90% degradation within 180 days
Must leave no toxic residues
3.2 Recyclability Standards
GRS certification for recycled content
Mandatory resin type labeling
4. Chemical Safety Regulations
4.1 Food Contact Safety EC 1935/2004
Total migration limit 10 mg/dm²
Formaldehyde limit 15 mg/kg
4.2 Hazardous Substance Restrictions
PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) below 1 mg/kg
Optical brighteners below 0.1%
5. Quality Classification System
5.1 Premium Grade
Virgin HDPE or LLDPE
Minimum 0.025 mm thickness
EN 13432 compliant
5.2 Good Grade
Virgin LDPE or maximum 30% recycled content
0.015 to 0.025 mm thickness
5.3 Standard Grade
Documented recycled content
Minimum 15 MPa tensile strength
5.4 Rejected Grade
Below 0.015 mm thickness
Non-compliant chemical content
Non-degradable materials
6. Verification Methods
6.1 Laboratory Testing
Full compliance testing to EU 10/2011 and REACH
6.2 Field Testing
Combustion test (HDPE shows blue flame)
Thickness measurements (average of five points)