FprEN 18236

• Abstract:

  This document specifies a test method for the determination of the specific migration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from paper, board and pulp into the food simulant isooctane. The amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are expressed in micrograms PAH per litre of solvent extract.; It is applicable for the determination of the 24 PAHs given in 6.3, Table 1. The test method is also applicable for the determination of further PAHs provided that a validation for every further analyte is carried out by the laboratory using this test method.; In general, this test method is applicable to the determination of PAHs in concentrations ranging from 2,5 µg/l to 100 µg/l for solvent extracts

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 24-Mar-2027
• ICS: 67.250 - Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs
• ICS: 85.060 - Paper and board
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 172 - Pulp, paper and board
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 172/WG 3 - Analytical methods for the assessment of paper and board in contact with foodstuffs
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN 18236:2025 - Pulp, paper and board - Determination of the migration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) into food simulants

FprEN 18236 is a CEN draft European Standard prepared by CEN/TC 172 for testing paper, board and pulp for migration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) into the food simulant isooctane. It specifies a GC-MS method for laboratories that need to measure PAH in solvent extracts and report the results in micrograms PAH per litre of extract.

What does FprEN 18236 specify?

FprEN 18236 specifies how to determine the specific migration of PAH from paper, board and pulp into isooctane. The document is focused on laboratory testing of solvent extracts, so it matters when a product or material needs migration data for food-contact assessment.

The scope covers the 24 PAH listed in Clause 6.3, Table 1, and it can also be used for other PAH if the laboratory validates each additional analyte. In practice, that means the method is not limited to a fixed list, but any extension has to be supported by the lab’s own validation.

The document is organized into these main parts:

Annex	What it covers
Annex A	Precision data from an interlaboratory trial
Annex B	Pre-concentration and clean-up

The main clauses cover scope, normative references, terms and definitions, principle, apparatus, reagents, sampling, preparation of the isooctane extract, the analytical procedure, and the test report.

What are the key requirements of FprEN 18236?

FprEN 18236 is built around extraction in isooctane followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The method is written for solvent extracts, and the reported concentration is expressed in µg/l of extract, which is the form needed for analytical and compliance reporting.

Scope, sample handling, and extraction

The method is generally applicable over 2.5 µg/l to 100 µg/l for solvent extracts, with deviations possible. That range tells the laboratory what levels the method is intended to cover and when it may need adaptation or confirmation.

Sampling shall follow EN ISO 186 for paper and board or EN ISO 7213 for pulp. Samples may be tested without conditioning or drying if the moisture content is adequate, and individual samples should be wrapped in aluminium foil and kept away from plastic film. This reduces the risk of contamination or loss before analysis.

The isooctane extract shall be prepared according to EN 15519, and extracts shall be stored in the dark and worked up within 48 h. This matters because PAH are light-sensitive and the document explicitly warns to protect samples from UV light at every stage.

GC-MS analysis and calibration

FprEN 18236 uses GC-MS with electron ionization and internal standards. The procedure specifies anthracene-d and perylene-d as internal standards and requires suitable laboratory validation if the suggested operating conditions are changed.

Calibration is based on standards prepared from the reference substances in Table 1. The calibration series spans the method’s working range, and the document calls for calibration graphs using the ratio of PAH peak area to internal-standard peak area against the corresponding concentration ratio. In practice, the laboratory must maintain stable calibration and check the response relationship for each analyte.

Table 3 gives the target-ion and qualifier-ion settings, and the identification step requires comparison of retention time and mass spectrum with the references. If ion ratios deviate too much, another ion may be used, which helps deal with interference in real samples.

Interferences, blanks, and reporting

The document notes likely interferences from organic acids, phthalic and fatty acid esters, carbonless-copy-paper solvents such as diisopropylnaphthalene, and mineral oil hydrocarbons. It also highlights a specific interference risk between chrysene and triphenylene.

The blank procedure follows the same preparation route but without sample material, and the chromatogram should show the internal standards without significant PAH peaks. The test report shall identify the sample, analyte, date, result in µg/l solvent extract, any deviation from the procedure, and any unusual features observed.

Who uses FprEN 18236?

FprEN 18236 is used by analytical laboratories, quality teams, and compliance staff working with paper, board, and pulp intended for contact with food. It is also relevant for manufacturers and buyers who need a defined laboratory method for checking PAH migration into food simulants.

In practice, users apply it for routine migration testing, product qualification, supplier control, and documentation of analytical results for food-contact assessment.

Which standards are used with FprEN 18236?

FprEN 18236 refers to four standards that support the method:

• EN 15519 - provides the procedure for preparing the organic solvent extract.
• EN ISO 186 - gives the sampling method for paper and board.
• EN ISO 4787 - covers volumetric instruments and their use in the laboratory.
• EN ISO 7213 - gives the sampling method for pulps.

What does the FprEN 18236 document contain?

FprEN 18236 contains the full laboratory workflow from sampling to reporting. It includes the principle of the method, apparatus and reagent requirements, calibration preparation, example GC and MS conditions, substance-specific ion settings, and the calculation approach for PAH concentration.

The document also includes reference substance listings, internal-standard information, and blank-value handling. Annex A provides precision data from an interlaboratory trial, and Annex B discusses pre-concentration and clean-up when those steps are needed.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-december-2025
Celuloza, papir in karton - Ugotavljanje migracije policikličnih aromatskih
ogljikovodikov (PAH) v simulante živil
Pulp, paper and board - Determination of the migration of polycyclic aromatic
hydrocarbons (PAH) into food simulants
Faserstoff, Papier und Pappe - Bestimmung der Migration von polyzyklischen
aromatischen Kohlenwasserstoffen (PAK) in Lebensmittelsimulanzien
Pâtes, papier et carton - Détermination de la migration des hydrocarbures aromatiques
polycycliques (HAP) dans les simulants de denrées alimentaires
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN 18236
ICS:
67.250 Materiali in predmeti v stiku z Materials and articles in
živili contact with foodstuffs
85.060 Papir, karton in lepenka Paper and board
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

DRAFT
EUROPEAN STANDARD
prEN 18236
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
October 2025
ICS 67.250; 85.060
English Version
Pulp, paper and board - Determination of the migration of
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) into food
simulants
Pâtes, papier et carton - Détermination de la migration Faserstoff, Papier und Pappe - Bestimmung der
des hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (HAP) Migration von polyzyklischen aromatischen
dans les simulants de denrées alimentaires Kohlenwasserstoffen (PAK) in
Lebensmittelsimulanzien
This draft European Standard is submitted to CEN members for enquiry. It has been drawn up by the Technical Committee
CEN/TC 172.
If this draft becomes a European Standard, CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations
which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

This draft European Standard was established by CEN in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC
Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
Recipients of this draft are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which they are
aware and to provide supporting documentation.

Warning : This document is not a European Standard. It is distributed for review and comments. It is subject to change without
notice and shall not be referred to as a European Standard.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2025 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. prEN 18236:2025 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

prEN 18236:2025 (E)
Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Principle . 4
4.1 General. 4
4.2 Interferences . 4
5 Apparatus and auxiliary aids . 5
6 Reagents . 5
7 Sampling . 7
8 Preparation of the test isooctane extract . 7
9 Procedure . 7
9.1 Extra work-up . 7
9.1.1 Addition of internal standard solution . 7
9.1.2 Pre-concentration and clean-up . 7
9.1.3 Blank value . 8
9.2 GC conditions . 8
9.2.1 General. 8
9.2.2 Example of GC conditions . 8
9.2.3 Example of MS conditions . 8
9.3 Calibration . 10
9.4 Determination of PAHs in the sample solutions . 11
9.4.1 General. 11
9.4.2 Interferences . 11
9.5 Calculation of the PAH concentration in the sample extracts. 11
9.6 Precision of the method . 11
10 Test report . 12
Annex A (informative) Precision data . 13
Annex B (informative) Pre-concentration and clean-up . 14

prEN 18236:2025 (E)
European foreword
This document (prEN 18236:2025) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 172 “Pulp, paper
and board”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This document is currently submitted to the CEN Enquiry.
prEN 18236:2025 (E)
1 Scope
This document specifies a test method for the determination of the specific migration of polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from paper, board and pulp into the food simulant isooctane. The amounts
of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are expressed in micrograms PAH per litre of solvent extract.
It is applicable for the determination of the 24 PAHs given in 6.3, Table 1. The test method is also
applicable for the determination of further PAHs unless a validation for every further analyte is done by
the laboratory using this test method.
In general, this test method is applicable to the determination of PAHs in concentrations ranging from
2,5 µg/l to 100 µg/l for solvent extracts. Deviations from this range are possible.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 15519, Paper and board intended to come into contact with foodstuffs — Preparation of an organic
solvent extract
EN ISO 186, Paper and board — Sampling to determine average quality (ISO 186)
EN ISO 4787, Laboratory glass and plastic ware — Volumetric instruments — Methods for testing of
capacity and for use (ISO 4787)
EN ISO 7213, Pulps — Sampling for testing (ISO 7213)
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
4 Principle
4.1 General
A sample extract is prepared by means of an organic solvent (isooctane) according to EN 15519. The
determination of the analytes is performed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) using
anthracene-d and perylene-d as internal standards.
10 12
4.2 Interferences
— As PAHs are sensitive to UV light, it shall be ensured that the samples are protected from light at all
stages of treatment. This can be achieved by e.g. using brown glassware or intermediate storing of
the samples in the dark.
— Portions of organic acids and of phthalic- and fatty acid esters, the solvents from carbon-less copy
papers (e.g. diisopropylnaphtalene) and mineral oil hydrocarbons can interfere the analysis.
prEN 18236:2025 (E)
5 Apparatus and auxiliary aids
The usual laboratory apparatus and laboratory glassware, including brown glass, according to
EN ISO 4787, shall be used, in addition to the following:
5.1 Balance with a resolution of at least 0,000 1 g.
5.2 Gas chromatograph coupled to a mass spectrometer (GC-MS) (EI+).
6 Reagents
All reagents shall be of recognized analytical quality unless stated otherwise.
6.1 Operating gases for GC-MS, shall be of high purity and in accordance with manufacturer’s
specifications.
6.2 Isooctane, CAS Registry Number® (CAS RN® 540-84-1), with purity of 98,5 % or better.
6.3 Reference substances
Table 1 — List of reference substances
No. Substance Sum CAS RN® Concentration of the
formula ready-to-use solution
ng/µl
1 Naphthalene C H 91–20–3
10 8
2 Acenaphthylene C H 208–96–8
12 8
3 Acenaphthene C H 83–32–9
12 10
4 Fluorene C H 86–73–7
13 10
5 Phenanthrene C H 08–01–85
14 10
6 Anthracene C H 120–12–7
14 10
7 Fluoranthene C H 206–44–0
16 10
8 Pyrene C16H10 129–00–0
9 Benz[a]anthracene C18H 56–55–3
10 Chrysene C H 218–01–9
18 12
11 Benzo[b]fluoranthene C H 205–99–2
20 12
12 Benzo[k]fluoranthene C H 207–08–9
20 12
13 Benzo[a]pyrene C H 50–32–8
20 12
14 Dibenz[a,h]anthracene C H 53–70–3
22 14
15 Benzo[g,h,i]perylene C H 191–24–2
22 12
16 Indeno[1,2,3-cd]pyrene C H 193–39–5
22 12
1 ® ®
CAS Registry Number (CAS RN ) is a trademark American Chemical Society (ACS). This information is given for
the convenience of
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