---
layout: default
title: FDA / LFGB Cookware Certification Checklist
---

# FDA / LFGB Cookware Certification Checklist

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Use this checklist to prepare compliance-related questions for cookware sourcing projects. It is intended for buyer-supplier communication and document organization. It is not legal advice and does not replace review by qualified labs, customs advisors, compliance consultants, or legal counsel.

FDA-related and LFGB-related requirements depend on the destination market, food-contact materials, coatings, product design, packaging claims, importer responsibility, and current regulations. Always confirm what applies to your exact product and market.

---

## Technical Background: FDA vs. LFGB Compliance

For B2B cookware buyers, understanding the technical differences between US (FDA) and European/German (LFGB) food-contact regulations is critical for risk management:

### 1. United States (FDA) Approach
* **General Safety (21 CFR 110.40):** Food-contact surfaces must be corrosion-resistant, non-toxic, and capable of withstanding the environment of their intended use.
* **The "16% Chromium" Benchmark:** While the FDA does not issue formal certifications for stainless steel alloys, industry standards generally mandate a minimum of **16% Chromium** for food-grade stainless steel (e.g., SUS304 / 18-8 or 18-10) to ensure adequate corrosion resistance.
* **Polymeric & Coatings (21 CFR 175 / 177):** Non-stick coatings (e.g., PTFE, silicone, or ceramic coatings) must comply with specific substance authorizations and extraction limit tests (such as total extractives in water, heptane, and alcohol).

### 2. Germany & Europe (LFGB & Council of Europe) Approach
* **Sensory/Organoleptic Testing (DIN 10955):** Unlike US standards, German LFGB requires testing to ensure the cookware does not transfer any taste or odor to the food. The product is rated on a scale of 0 (no change) to 4 (strong change). A score of $\le 2.5$ is typically required to pass.
* **Metal and Alloy Migration (CM/Res(2013)9):** Europe enforces strict specific migration limits (SML) for heavy metals. The testing involves exposing the cookware to food simulants (commonly 0.5% citric acid for acidic foods and artificial tap water) at high temperatures (typically boiling for 2 hours or oven-heating for 2 hours) and measuring the release of metals such as Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Lead, and Cadmium using ICP-MS.
* **Overall Migration Limit (OML):** Polymeric parts and coatings must not release more than **$10\text{ mg/dm}^2$** (or $60\text{ mg/kg}$ of food simulant) of overall substance under test conditions.

---

## Project Information

| Field | Details |
| --- | --- |
| **Product Name / SKU** | `[e.g., Tri-Ply Stainless Steel Cookware Set GS-01652-6PC]` |
| **Supplier** | `[e.g., Jiangmen Goldensea Housewares Limited]` |
| **Buyer / Importer** | `[e.g., Sourcing Solutions Ltd]` |
| **Destination Market** | `[e.g., Germany (LFGB) / United States (FDA)]` |
| **Food-Contact Materials** | `[e.g., Stainless Steel 304 (cooking surface) / SS430 (exterior base)]` |
| **Coating / Surface Treatment**| `[e.g., Uncoated SS304 / Whitford PTFE non-stick coating]` |
| **Packaging Claims** | `[e.g., PFOA Free, Lead & Cadmium Free, Induction Ready]` |
| **Review Date** | `[e.g., June 17, 2026]` |

---

## 1. Market and Requirement Definition

| Question | Answer / Notes |
| --- | --- |
| **Which country or region will the product be sold in?** | `[e.g., Germany / France / EU]` |
| **Who is responsible for confirming applicable requirements?** | `[e.g., Importer of record (Sourcing Solutions Ltd)]` |
| **Is the project asking for FDA, LFGB, EU food-contact, or other documentation?** | `[e.g., Germany LFGB (with DIN 10955 sensory and heavy metal migration)]` |
| **Are there retailer-specific or customer-specific requirements?** | `[e.g., Retailer-nominated lab (SGS) required]` |
| **Are there claims on packaging that require additional review?** | `[e.g., "PFOA Free" and "10-Year Warranty"]` |
| **Is testing needed before sample approval, before production, or before shipment?** | `[e.g., Pre-production lab testing required before deposit payment]` |

---

## 2. Product Material Breakdown

List every material that may contact food or be relevant to product claims.

| Component | Material | Food-contact? | Supplier Evidence Needed | Technical Target |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Cookware Vessel (Interior)** | `[e.g., SS304]` | Yes | `[e.g., Mill Test Certificate / XRF test]` | $\ge 16\%$ Chromium (for SS304/316) |
| **Exterior Surface** | `[e.g., SS430]` | No | `[e.g., Magnet test / chemical composition]` | Induction-compatible outer layer |
| **Lid (Glass)** | `[e.g., Tempered Glass]` | No | `[e.g., Thermal shock certificate]` | Tempered glass safety verification |
| **Lid Rim / Seal** | `[e.g., Silicone rubber]` | Yes | `[e.g., FDA/LFGB extractable test report]` | Food-grade silicone, no taste alteration |
| **Handle / Side Handles** | `[e.g., Cast SS201]` | No | `[e.g., Heavy metal content test]` | Ergonomic & heat resistance specs |
| **Knob / Handle Fittings** | `[e.g., SS201 / Bakelite]` | No | `[e.g., PAHs test (for bakelite)]` | Structural stability & heat insulation |
| **Rivets / Weld Points** | `[e.g., SS304 rivets]` | Yes | `[e.g., Chemical composition check]` | Lead-free rivet composition check |
| **Non-stick Coating / Pattern** | `[e.g., Greblon PTFE]` | Yes | `[e.g., FDA extraction / PFOA-free doc]` | PFOA/PFAS-free, FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 |

---

## 3. Supplier Document Request

Ask the supplier to provide documents that match the product, material, and destination market. Do not assume one report covers all versions.

| Document | Requested | Received | Notes / Verification Action |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Mill Test Certificate (MTC)** | Yes / No | Yes / No | `[e.g., Verifies chemical composition (Cr >= 16%)]` |
| **FDA Food-Contact Test Report** | Yes / No | Yes / No | `[e.g., Verified FDA 21 CFR 177.1550 report from SGS]` |
| **LFGB Food-Contact Test Report** | Yes / No | Yes / No | `[e.g., Verified German LFGB test report dated March 2026]`|
| **Coating Safety Declaration** | Yes / No / N/A | Yes / No / N/A | `[e.g., Coating manufacturer Whitford PFOA-free statement]`|
| **Glass Lid Safety Certificate** | Yes / No / N/A | Yes / No / N/A | `[e.g., Fragmentation test report from TUV]` |
| **Factory Social Audit Report** | Yes / No / N/A | Yes / No / N/A | `[e.g., amfori BSCI audit report, Grade B]` |
| **Packaging Claim Support Document**| Yes / No / N/A | Yes / No / N/A | `[e.g., Dishwasher safe cycle test report (100 cycles)]` |

---

## 4. Report Validity Review

Before relying on a report, check whether it is relevant to your product.

| Checkpoint | Result | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Lab Accreditation** | Pass / Fail / Unclear | `[e.g., Lab is CNAS accredited (ISO/IEC 17025)]` |
| **Manufacturer Alignment** | Pass / Fail / Unclear | `[e.g., Factory name on report matches quoted supplier]` |
| **Product Representation** | Pass / Fail / Unclear | `[e.g., Report photos match the quoted product model]` |
| **Testing Simulants Check** | Pass / Fail / Unclear | `[e.g., 0.5% Citric Acid and 3% Acetic Acid simulants verified]`|
| **Testing Conditions Check** | Pass / Fail / Unclear | `[e.g., Test conditions: 2 hours at 100°C verified]` |
| **Report Recency** | Pass / Fail / Unclear | `[e.g., Report dated January 2026 (less than 1 year old)]` |
| **Component Coverage** | Pass / Fail / Unclear | `[e.g., Gasket and rivets are included in the migration test]`|

---

## 5. Questions to Ask the Supplier

1. *Is this test report for the exact product, a similar product, or only the raw material coil?*
2. *Which laboratory conducted the testing, and is the report searchable online for verification?*
3. *What grade of stainless steel is used for the inner food-contact layer (e.g., SUS304, SUS316), and can you provide the Mill Test Certificate (MTC) for each steel batch?*
4. *For coated cookware, does the coating manufacturer provide a compliance guarantee (e.g., Whitford, Greblon, Tefal) and safety certificates?*
5. *Can the factory support co-testing at a buyer-nominated third-party laboratory (e.g., SGS, TUV) using samples randomly selected from the production line?*
6. *Who bears the cost of testing if the pre-shipment sample fails the food-contact compliance test?*

---

## 6. Buyer Lab Testing Plan (Recommended Sourcing Practice)

| Sourcing Stage | Recommended Testing Protocol | Simulants & Methods |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Phase 1: Sample Approval** | Basic material identification (XRF/ICP-OES) to check Cr/Ni ratio. | Spectrometer check (verify 18/10 or 18/8 composition). |
| **Phase 2: Pre-Production** | Full migration test for target market compliance. | FDA extraction tests / LFGB DIN 10955 & CM/Res(2013)9. |
| **Phase 3: Bulk Inspection** | Random drawing of bulk production samples for lab verification. | Retained sample verification against the approved "Golden Sample". |

* **Nominated Testing Laboratory:** `[e.g., SGS Jiangmen Branch]`
* **Cost Allocation Agreement:** `[e.g., Buyer pays if passes / Supplier pays if fails]`
* **Non-Compliance Protocol:** `[e.g., Order cancellation and refund of deposit if LFGB migration fails]`

---

## 7. Packaging and Claim Review

Claims on packaging, manuals, product pages, or labels may require evidence. Review these before mass printing.

| Claim or Text | Technical Evidence Required | Approved? | Verification Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| **Food Safe (Knife & Fork)** | Valid LFGB / EU test report showing migration & sensory pass. | Yes / No / Pending | `[e.g., Sensory rating 1.5, passed LFGB]` |
| **Dishwasher Safe** | Dishwasher cycle testing (typically 25 to 100 cycles) showing no corrosion, clouding, or paint peeling. | Yes / No / Pending | `[e.g., Passed 50 cycle test in lab]` |
| **Oven Safe (to 220°C/260°C)**| Technical sheet for glass lid (typically max 180°C) and handles (silicone/bakelite vs. hollow steel). | Yes / No / Pending | `[e.g., Glass lid is max 180°C, stainless handles max 260°C]`|
| **Induction Compatible** | Magnetic verification (SS430 outer clad) and actual cooktop function test. | Yes / No / Pending | `[e.g., Neodymium magnet snaps strongly to base]` |
| **PFOA / PFAS Free** | Raw material chemical composition report showing zero trace. | Yes / No / Pending | `[e.g., Whitford declaration on file]` |
| **Recyclable Packaging** | Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certificate for paperboard / recycle symbol verification. | Yes / No / Pending | `[e.g., Box manufacturer FSC logo approved]` |

---

## 8. Pre-Order Decision

- [ ] **Technical Specs Clear:** Are all food-contact component materials and coatings fully specified in the contract?
- [ ] **Supplier Reports Valid:** Have the supplier's test reports been verified with the issuing lab?
- [ ] **Sensory Test Passed:** (If European market) Has the supplier provided evidence of organoleptic testing?
- [ ] **MTC Checked:** Has the supplier provided Mill Test Certificates proving $\ge 16\%$ Chromium for the interior steel?
- [ ] **Testing Cost Agreed:** Is the cost division for third-party inspection written into the Proforma Invoice (PI)?
- [ ] **Action Owner Assigned:** Who is responsible for reviewing the final bulk inspection reports prior to loading?

**Final Compliance Decision:**
[ ] Approved for Production  
[ ] Conditional Approval (Requires revised testing/samples)  
[ ] Rejected (Material or report non-compliance)

*Reviewed By:* `[e.g., Sourcing Director]`  *Date:* `[e.g., June 17, 2026]`