Developed to Standard

Date: 30.01.18
The food & beverage and potable water markets have always been concerned with ensuring a safe product for customers to enjoy. Standards and regulations serve an important role in guaranteeing this is always the case.
FROM THE FDA AND NSF IN THE UNITED STATES,

to the European Community and KTW across the Atlantic, a range of regulatory bodies create legislation, regulations and standards to give guidance for the processes that make the food that we eat and the liquids we drink. They aim to create a regulatory environment that protects consumers and results in high quality products. But, with changing regulations and different standards across the globe, how do manufacturers keep up? That’s a question that Trelleborg Sealing Solutions aims to answer for its customers.

“In general, we’re seeing regulations becoming more strict globally, and new legislation being introduced in emerging markets” says Eberhard Baisch, Polymer Laboratory Manager for Trelleborg Sealing Solutions in Stuttgart, Germany. “Our material development laboratories work together globally to stay ahead of the changing market conditions”.To support these changing standards, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has developed new compounds, such as the new EPDM compounds, E75F1 and E85F1, which offer a number of benefits to food and beverage manufacturers.

Find out more at

Umwelt Bundes Amt

New Guidelines for Potable Water 

One of the most significant developments within the potable water market in Europe is the new Elastomer Guideline from the Umweltbundesamt, set to replace the existing KTW guidelines. “We’ve been finding that many of our customers were unaware of the new Elastomer Guidelines” says Eberhard. “This gives us a unique opportunity to educate our customers and demonstrate our knowledge of the regulatory environment, saving them both time and money in the long run.”

Working with a supplier who understands market requirements is essential to effective manufacturing and processing. Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has always taken a keen interest and pro-active approach in standards development and regulation. “We’ve been reviewing opportunities to sit on committees and work groups to help define regulations and suggest changes to benefit the segment,” continues Eberhard. “This includes our material research and development experts, who sit on the Materials Testing Work Group within 3-A” says Eberhard. Dedicated staff are employed to ensure that information is the most up-to-date possible. “By having the information available immediately, it has vastly reduced the time required to certify materials and solutions and deliver quotes to customers” finishes Eberhard.

KEY FACTS ON THE ELASTOMER GUIDELINES FOR POTABLE WATER
  • Replaces the guidelines from 2011, and is recommended for any elastomers in contact with drinking water
  • Does not govern thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) or silicone. For silicone materials, the KTW regulations still stand.
  • Consists of three parts:
    - A white-list of starting substances for compounding, assessed on toxicolo
    - Test methods (migration testing procedures)
    - Test values fowr limits
  •  The testing ensures that water must not be changed when passing by the seal, for example in terms of odor, flavor and color. It lso sets limits for organics and other substances migration.