Evolutions of the Norms and Regulations in the European Market for Enamel Coatings in Contact with Food and Drinkable Water

摘要

Each enamelled part that we can find in appliances (oven cavities, cooktops, etc.), in cookware (dripping pans, pots, frying pans, etc), or in hot water tanks is subject to different norms, directives, regulations, and guidelines before it is placed on the market for end users. In order to protect the health of the end user against potential hazards arising from enamel coatings which are improperly applied, migration tests need to be carried out. Unfortunately, at the moment, there is no common norm/regulation that is accepted by all the European countries using porcelain enamelled products. The testing methods, the list of analysed elements and the migration limits can vary between the countries. Certain norms and regulations are currently being updated and reviewed, based on updated knowledge about the influence of different metallic oxides constituting the enamel on human health. This paper presents the evolution of the norms and regulations in the European market on two main markets of appliance/cookware and hot water tanks.