Overview
EN ISO 15318:1999 - Pulp, paper and board - Determination of 7 specified polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) - is a CEN-adopted ISO standard that provides guidance on a test method to measure seven specified polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in pulp, paper and board. The standard supports assessment of PCB contamination in materials, including those intended as food contact materials, and includes Annex A with a procedure to estimate total PCB content from measured congener levels.
Key Topics
- Purpose: guidance on a validated test method for determining seven specified PCB congeners in paper-based substrates.
- Matrix focus: pulp, paper and board, with relevance to materials in contact with foodstuffs and recycled fiber streams.
- Result interpretation: method produces congener-specific data and includes an estimation procedure (Annex A) to convert congener content into an approximate total PCB content.
- Quality considerations: the standard addresses repeatable, comparable measurement practices suitable for laboratory testing and quality control (general emphasis; specific analytical techniques are not prescribed in the document extract).
Applications
EN ISO 15318:1999 is used where monitoring and control of PCB contamination in paper-based products are required:
- Regulatory compliance testing for food contact materials and packaging.
- Quality assurance and incoming inspection by pulp, paper and board manufacturers.
- Environmental and safety monitoring of recycled fibers and recovered paper streams.
- Product safety assessments and risk management where PCB presence could affect human health or regulatory status.
- Contract laboratories performing PCB screening and reporting congener-specific results and estimated total PCB concentrations.
Who would use it:
- Laboratory analysts and QA/QC teams in the pulp and paper industry.
- Environmental testing and certification bodies.
- Manufacturers of paper-based food packaging and converters.
- Regulators and compliance officers responsible for material safety.
Related standards
- ISO and EN standards covering food contact materials, pulp and paper testing, and contaminant analysis provide complementary guidance. Use EN ISO 15318:1999 together with applicable regional regulations and analytical method standards for comprehensive PCB assessment and compliance.
Keywords: EN ISO 15318:1999, PCB determination, polychlorinated biphenyls, pulp paper board, congener content, Annex A, food contact materials, PCB analysis.
