Council Directive of 15 October 1984 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to ceramic articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (84/500/EEC)

ANNEX I U.K. BASIC RULES FOR DETERMINING THE MIGRATION OF LEAD AND CADMIUM

1. Test liquid (‘simulant’) U.K.

4 % (v/v) acetic acid, in a freshly prepared aqueous solution.

2. Test conditions U.K.

2.1. Carry out the test at a temperature of 22 ± 2 °C for a duration of 24 ± 0,5 hours. U.K.

2.2. When the migration of lead is to be determined, cover the sample by an appropriate means of protection and expose it to the usual lighting conditions in a laboratory. U.K.

When the migration of cadmium or of lead and cadmium is to be determined, cover the sample so as to ensure that the surface to be tested is kept in total darkness.

3. Filling U.K.

3.1. Samples which can be filled U.K.

Fill the article with a 4 % (v/v) acetic acid solution to a level no more than 1 mm from the overflow point; the distance is measured from the upper rim of the sample.

Samples with a flat or slightly sloping rim should be filled so that the distance between the surface of the liquid and the overflow point is no more than 6 mm measured along the sloping rim.

3.2. Samples which cannot be filled U.K.

The surface of the sample which is not intended to come into contact with foodstuffs is first covered with a suitable protective layer able to resist the action of the 4 % (v/v) acetic acid solution. The sample is then immersed in a recipient containing a known volume of acetic acid solution in such a way that the surface intended to come into contact with foodstuffs is completely covered by the test liquid.

4. Determination of the surface area U.K.

The surface area of the articles in category 1 is equal to the surface area of the meniscus formed by the free liquid surface obtained by complying with the filling requirements set out in section 3 above.