The detection of halogen element content in packaging materials

The detection of halogen element content in packaging materials is primarily to meet the environmental requirements of the RoHS directive (EU, China), IEC 61249-2-21 (halogen-free standard), SS-00259 (Sony standard), and major brand manufacturers (e.g., Apple, Dell, HP). Halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine) themselves are not necessarily hazardous substances, but halogenated compounds (such as brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and chlorinated paraffins (CPs)) can produce dioxins, furans, and halogenated hydrogen (highly toxic, corrosive gases) when burned.

I. Main Halogens Controlled in Packaging Materials and Limit Requirements

| Halogen | Symbol | Control Reason | Typical Limit (Halogen-Free Standard) | RoHS Limit |

| Chlorine | Cl | Chlorides (e.g., PVC, chlorinated paraffins) generate dioxins and hydrogen chloride when burned | ≤ 900 ppm (IEC 61249-2-21) | No direct limit (but PBB and PBDE are prohibited) |

| Bromine | Br | Brominated flame retardants (PBB, PBDE) generate hydrogen bromide and dioxins when burned | ≤ 900 ppm (IEC 61249-2-21) | PBB, PBDE ≤ 1000 ppm (individual) |

| Fluorine | F | Fluorides (e.g., PTFE) are stable but produce hydrogen fluoride (highly toxic) when burned | Typically not mandatory (some brand requirements) | No direct limit |

| Iodine | I | Rare, generally not mandatory | |

| Core Requirements (Halogen-Free Standard IEC 61249-2-21):

– Chlorine (Cl) ≤ 900 ppm – Bromine (Br) ≤ 900 ppm – Total chlorine + bromine ≤ 1500 ppm

**Note:**

RoHS (EU) does not directly limit the total chlorine and bromine content but restricts PBB and PBDE (≤1000 ppm). Major brand manufacturers (e.g., Apple, Dell, HP) require halogen-free packaging materials (Cl + Br < 1000-1500 ppm). Some countries or clients may require total halogen (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine) testing.

**II. Sources of Halogens in Packaging Materials (High-Risk Components):** | Packaging Component | Common Halogen-Containing Materials/Processes | Key Testing Focus |

| (List of components and materials) | (Details of halogen content) | (Testing priorities) |.

Plastic packaging (PVC, PVDC): Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) contains chlorine (approximately 50%);

brominated flame retardants (e.g., PCB, PBB) Cl, Br. Expanded polystyrene (EPS, XPS): May contain brominated flame retardants (HBCD, hexabromocyclododecane) Br.

Printing ink: Some inks use chlorine/bromine-containing pigments or solvents Cl, Br.

Adhesives: Chlorinated paraffin as plasticizer or flame retardant Cl.

The adhesive tape produced by Dongguan Nabai Packaging Products Co., Ltd. uses environmentally friendly adhesive and ink for printing, with a qualified inspection report issued by the international organization SGS. It complies with the environmental requirements for the 10 hazardous substances specified in RoHS2.0 (EU PPWR’s 4 hazardous substances) and halogens.

Coating/Coating: Fluorine-containing coating (PTFE), chlorine-containing coating (PVDC) F, Cl. Paper/Cardboard: Bleaching processes may leave trace chlorine residues (but generally very low) Cl (typically <100 ppm). Foam cushioning material (polyethylene/polyurethane) may contain brominated flame retardants (e.g., TCPP, TDCP) Br.

III. Testing Standards and Methods: Standard No. Standard Name Scope Method.

IEC 62321-3-2:2020 Determination of Halogens (Combustion-Ion Chromatography) Electronic and electrical products and packaging Combustion + Ion Chromatography (IC). (Nabai Packaging Products Co., Ltd.’s tape will be tested for halogen content under this international standard in 2026.)

EN 14582:2016 Determination of Halogens in Waste Solid Waste (including packaging) Combustion + Ion Chromatography.

GB/T 37862-2019 Determination of Halogens in Packaging Materials Packaging Materials Combustion + Ion Chromatography. ASTM D4327-17 Determination of Halogens in Water (can be adapted for solids) Solid samples (require pretreatment) Ion Chromatography (IC).

Core method: Bomb combustion/tube furnace combustion + Ion Chromatography (IC) is the high-standard arbitration method for detecting total halogens (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine).