Lead and Cadmium in Printed Pipette Scales: What to Check
Graduated glass pipettes carry a printed scale that sits close to the liquid being dosed. For food supplements, cosmetics, essential oils and pharmaceutical products, buyers therefore often ask whether the printing contains heavy metals such as lead or cadmium. This article explains why the question matters and what documentation to ask for.
Why printed scales raise the question
Some inks, enamels and pigments used to decorate glass have historically contained heavy metals. Whether a particular scale does depends on the printing method and the materials used. It cannot be judged by appearance, so it should be confirmed with documents for the specific pipette.
What regulations may apply
The relevant rules depend on the final product, the market and the type of contact. Common reference points are:
- Food contact: Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 sets the general requirements for materials intended to come into contact with food.
- Chemicals: REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) restricts cadmium and lead in certain uses.
- Medicinal products: pharmacopoeial requirements for containers and guidelines on elemental impurities apply to the finished product and its packaging.
Some older test references, such as Directive 84/500/EEC and its amendment 2005/31/EC, concern ceramic articles. They are not a suitable basis for judging a printed glass pipette. Check with your regulatory adviser which rules apply to your product.
How heavy metals are measured
A common laboratory method is ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry). It detects and quantifies trace levels of metals in a sample, usually after the metals have been extracted or dissolved. A useful report states:
- Proov: milline pipett ja milline trükitud skaala testiti.
- Meetod: ekstraheerimis- või lagundamistingimused ja analüütiline meetod.
- Elemendid: milliseid metalle mõõdeti, vähemalt plii ja kaadmium.
- Piirmäärad: kasutatud tuvastuspiirid ja viitepiirmäärad.
- Laboratoorium: testimislaboratooriumi nimi ja aruande kuupäev.
Mida küsida oma tarnijalt
- Vastavusdeklaratsioon või katsearuanne just selle pipetitüübi kohta, mida kavatsete osta.
- Kinnitus, et aruanne hõlmab trükitud skaalat, mitte ainult klaasi.
- Kas aruanne kehtib endiselt, kui trükis või partii muutub.
- Millistele nõuetele aruanne viitab ja kas need vastavad teie tootele ja turule.
Lihtsad ja skaalaga pipetid
Kui teie rakendus ei vaja trükitud skaalat, väldib lihtne klaaspipett seda küsimust täielikult. Kui vajate doseerimismärgiseid, andke meile teada kavandatud kasutusotstarve ja vajalikud dokumendid ning me ütleme, mida saame pakkuda skaalaga pipeti puhul, mida kaalute.
Packaging.si pakub lihtsaid ja skaalaga klaaspipette ning kokkupandud DIN18 tilkuvaid, ja soovi korral saate tellida proovi. Palun saatke oma nõuded meie kontaktlehe kaudu.
