EN 12980:2000

Overview

EN 12980:2000 - "Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs - Non‑metallic articles for catering and industrial use - Method of test for the determination of impact resistance" is a CEN standard that defines a laboratory method to evaluate the resistance to mechanical shocks (impact resistance) of non‑metallic utensils used in catering and industrial food service. The procedure targets articles that are likely to experience substantial and frequent shocks during normal use. Results are specific to the tested article and the precise test conditions recorded in the test report.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and applicability
  • Applies to non‑metallic materials and articles intended to contact food in catering and industrial environments.
  • Focuses on items subject to repeated mechanical shocks (e.g., trays, containers, serving utensils).
• Test method
  • Provides a defined laboratory procedure to assess impact resistance of the specified article.
  • Emphasizes controlled test conditions; results depend strongly on those conditions.
• Reporting and limitations
  • Test reports must specify the article tested and the exact test conditions used.
  • Results cannot be generalized to other utensils made from the same material or to different test conditions.
• Quality assurance
  • Used as part of product validation, quality control and durability assessments for food contact articles.
• Standard identity
  • CEN standard EN 12980:2000 (adopted nationally in several countries, e.g., SIST EN 12980:2001).

Applications and who uses it

• Manufacturers of non‑metallic food contact articles use EN 12980 to:
  • Validate design durability against mechanical shocks.
  • Compare formulations or production variants (material blends, reinforcements).
• Testing laboratories implement the method for independent certification and performance reporting.
• Procurement and quality managers in catering, institutional foodservice and food production use test results to select durable, safe utensils.
• Regulatory and compliance teams may reference the standard when assessing suitability of non‑metallic articles in food environments.

Related standards and context

• EN 12980:2000 is part of the broader family of CEN standards addressing materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs. Organizations implementing this standard often refer to other CEN/ISO methods for chemical safety, hygiene and mechanical performance to build a complete compliance and quality program.

Keywords: EN 12980:2000, impact resistance, non-metallic articles, food contact materials, catering utensils, CEN standard, mechanical shocks, test method, quality control, testing labs.