JFSL certification – the key pass for thermos cups to enter the international market

JFSL certification – the key pass for thermos cups to enter the international market

In today’s globalized business environment, thermos cups, as an indispensable item in daily life, have a broad international market. However, for thermos cup exporters, it is crucial to understand and meet the certification requirements of different countries and regions. Among them, Japan’s JFSL certification is a key entry threshold for food contact products such as thermos cups. This article will explore the specific test items of JFSL certification in depth to help thermos cup companies better understand and respond to this important certification when expanding into the international market.

1. Overview of JFSL certification
JFSL certification, full name Japan Food Sanitation Law certification, is a certification conducted in accordance with Japan Food Sanitation Law 370. This certification is regulated by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan and is mainly aimed at food contact materials. It aims to ensure the safety of these materials when in contact with food and prevent harmful substances from migrating into food and causing harm to consumers’ health.

2. Material range covered by JFSL certification
JFSL certification covers food contact materials of various materials. For thermos cups, the following common materials are within the certification scope:
Metal: such as stainless steel liner, which is one of the main components of thermos cups, and its safety is directly related to the quality of beverages.
Silicone: Commonly used in the sealing ring of thermos cups, its heat resistance and chemical stability are crucial to prevent the migration of harmful substances.
Plastic: The lid or lining of some thermos cups may be made of plastic, such as PP lid, etc., which needs to be ensured to meet food safety standards.

3. Specific test items for JFSL certification
(I) Migration test
Comprehensive migration test
Test purpose: Simulate the use of food contact materials under the most demanding conditions, and detect the total amount of harmful substances in the material migrating into the food simulant under high temperature, long-term contact and other conditions.
Test method: The food contact material is exposed to a specific food simulant (such as water, acid solution, alcohol, oil, etc.) under certain temperature and time conditions, and then the total amount of migrated substances is determined by professional analytical instruments such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), etc.
Test standard: According to different materials and food simulants, the corresponding maximum allowable migration amount (OML) is set. For example, for plastic materials, the overall migration amount shall generally not exceed 60mg/dm².
Specific migration test
Test purpose: For some known and potentially harmful specific substances, such as heavy metals, aromatic amines, bisphenol A, etc., the migration amount of these substances under specific conditions is detected to assess their risks to human health.
Test method: Specific analytical methods are used, such as atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for the determination of heavy metals, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the determination of bisphenol A, etc., to quantitatively analyze specific migrating substances in food simulants.
Test standard: For each specific migrating substance, there is a clear maximum allowable migration level (SML). Taking heavy metals as an example, the SML for lead is generally 0.1mg/kg, and the SML for cadmium is generally 0.05mg/kg.
(II) Heavy metal test
Test purpose: Heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, etc. are toxic to the human body. Long-term excessive intake of heavy metals can cause serious health problems, such as neurological diseases and kidney damage. Therefore, it is crucial to detect the heavy metal content in the thermos cup material.
Test method: Commonly used test methods include atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), etc. These methods can accurately determine the content of heavy metals in the material.
Test standard: Different materials and product types have different heavy metal content limit standards. For example, for ceramics and glass products, the dissolution of lead shall not exceed 1.0mg/L, and the dissolution of cadmium shall not exceed 0.05mg/L.
(III) Determination of potassium permanganate value
Test purpose: This test is mainly used to detect the content of reducing substances in food contact materials. These substances may react with ingredients in food under certain conditions, affecting the quality and safety of food.
Test method: The food contact material is contacted with potassium permanganate solution under certain conditions, and the content of reducing substances in the material is reflected by measuring the consumption of potassium permanganate solution.
Test standard: According to different materials and product types, set corresponding limit standards for potassium permanganate values. For example, for plastic products, the potassium permanganate value shall generally not exceed 50mg/kg.
(IV) Determination of total lead and total cadmium content
Test purpose: Lead and cadmium are two common heavy metal pollutants that are potentially harmful to human health. The determination of total lead and total cadmium content is to detect the total amount of lead and cadmium in the material to ensure that its content is within the safe range.
Test method: Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and other methods are used to accurately determine the content of lead and cadmium in the material.
Test standards: Different materials and product types have different total lead and total cadmium content limit standards. For example, for metal materials, the total lead content shall generally not exceed 25mg/kg, and the total cadmium content shall generally not exceed 5mg/kg.
(V) Requirements for color additives
Test purpose: The use of color additives in food contact materials is strictly restricted to prevent them from migrating into food and causing potential harm to human health.
Test method: The color additives in the material are qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by chemical analysis methods such as high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Test standard: Only color additives approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan are allowed to be used, and their usage and migration must meet the corresponding standard requirements.
(VI) Requirements for paper materials
Test purpose: If the packaging or certain components of the thermos cup use paper materials, they also need to be tested to ensure their safety.
Test method: Including chlorophenol test, antiseptic effectiveness test, heavy metal test, etc., to detect the content and migration of harmful substances in paper materials.
Test standards: The chlorophenol content in paper materials shall not exceed 5mg/kg, and the mercury content shall not exceed 0.05mg/kg, etc.

IV. JFSL certification process
Sample submission: The company needs to send representative thermos cup samples to a professional laboratory. The samples should accurately reflect the actual situation of the product, including components of different materials, etc.
Laboratory testing: The laboratory conducts the above tests on different materials of the samples according to the requirements of JFSL 370, and issues a detailed test report.
Submission of application and report: The company submits the test report and related certification application materials to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan, including product information, production process, quality control documents, etc.
Review and assessment: The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare reviews the submitted reports and materials to evaluate whether the products meet the requirements of JFSL certification.
Issuance of certificate: After passing the review, the company will obtain the JFSL 370 certification certificate, which indicates that the thermos cup products meet the safety standards of Japanese food contact materials and can be sold in the Japanese market.

5. The significance and value of JFSL certification
Market access: For thermos cup exporters, obtaining JFSL certification is a necessary condition for entering the Japanese market. With this certification, products can pass through Japanese customs smoothly, enter the Japanese market for sales, and expand international business channels.
Consumer trust: JFSL certification indicates the high standards and high requirements of products in terms of food safety. When consumers buy thermos cups certified by JFSL, they can use them with confidence and have full confidence in the quality and safety of the products, which helps to enhance the brand image and market competitiveness.
Industry norms: This certification promotes the standardization and standardization of the thermos cup industry, prompting companies to continuously improve production processes, improve the quality of raw materials, strengthen quality control and management, thereby improving the product quality and safety level of the entire industry.
6. How thermos cup companies respond to JFSL certification
In-depth understanding of certification requirements: Thermos cup companies should conduct in-depth research on the various test items and standard requirements of JFSL certification, clarify the detection focus of different material components in the product, and ensure that the design and production process of the product meet the certification requirements.
Select high-quality raw materials: In the procurement of raw materials, enterprises should strictly screen suppliers to ensure that the quality and safety of raw materials meet the standards of JFSL certification. Give priority to raw materials that have been tested and certified to control product quality risks from the source.
Strengthen production process control: Establish a complete quality management system, strictly control process parameters during the production process, and prevent the generation and pollution of harmful substances. Strengthen the inspection and monitoring of the production process to ensure that each batch of products meets the certification requirements.
Cooperate with professional testing institutions: Select qualified and experienced professional testing institutions to conduct JFSL certification testing. These institutions can provide accurate and reliable test results, and provide professional technical support and consulting services to enterprises to help them pass the certification smoothly.

In short, JFSL certification is not only a threshold for thermos cup exporters to enter the Japanese market, but also an important guarantee for improving product quality and market competitiveness. By deeply understanding and strictly following the test items and standard requirements of JFSL certification, thermos cup companies can better meet the needs of the international market, expand overseas markets, and achieve sustainable development.