Commodities

What is a commodity?

The word commodity refers to a various range of consumer products which we come into daily contact with, directly or indirectly.

It is essential that commodities do not harm our health by emitting any undesirable or substances which might affect the human body and health.

Commodities are regulated by the German Food, Commodities and Feeding Stuff Act (abbr. LFGB), clause 5. The term "commodity" in its various groups is defined under § 2 LFGB.

Compliance with the regulations of the German LFGB is mandatory. Therefore it is necessary to ensure that relevant products and materials fulfil the requirements of the LFGB. We offer a wide range of services to ensure the compliance with the LFGB for products and materials which are imported, merchandised and dealed within Germany and the European Union.

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Groups of commodities

• 1. Commodities relating to food
• 2. Commodities relating to the human body
• 3. Toys and joke articles

1. Commodities relating to food

These are objects designed for contact with foodstuffs, such as:

• storage containers for foodstuffs, crockery, cutlery, pots, pans, baking dishes, parts of kitchen utensils and equipment
• packaging material for food
• materials and parts for equipment used in the food industry
• materials and components in contact with drinking water
• cleansers and disinfectants for use in the food area

The examination is carried out in accordance with valid statutory regulations and standards. These differ greatly depending on the used materials e.g. plastics, paints and coatings, metals, ceramics, glass and wood. Further examinations beside the material evaluation, are necessary. Certain migration tests under specific conditions are carried out in order to evaluate any transfer of substances to foodstuffs.

Sensory tests (undesirable migration of odour and flavour) are carried out in order to ensure the quality and compliance

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2. Commodities relating to the human body

These are objects which are designed to be in contact with the human body, such as:

• textiles, leatherwear, underwear, shoes, bed linen,
• masks, wigs, hairpieces, glasses frames, jewellery, piercing jewellery etc.
• objects of body care or objects in contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth, e.g. toothbrushes.

Textiles and leatherwear are examined for harmful substances such as PCP, insecticides, organotin compounds (TBT), formaldehyde and heavy metals. We also specialise in examinations of azo dyes, which can split off carcinogenic amines, as well as dispersal dyes which may cause allergies. Metallic objects such as fashion jewellery or buttons may emit nickel, which is often the cause of contact allergies.

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3. Toys and joke articles

In the sense of the German Food, Commodities and Feeding Stuff Act toys are also commodities and are subject to the LFGB and a number of other requirements and standards.

To ensure our children's safety, we test toys on mechanical and chemical safety (acc. EN 71 parts 1-9), hygienic safety and if applicable on electrical safety.

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Further Information

• Household articles and appliances
• Cookware, Porcelain, Ceramics
• Toys, Jewellery
• Textiles

Contact

Xing Dai HK Commodities Department LGA (HK) Ltd. 8/F, Emperor International Square 7 Wang Tai Road Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Phone: +852 21 92-11 44 Fax:   +852 26 90-37 68 eMail: xing.dai@lga.com.hk

Mana Wong B. Sc. Project Manager LGA (HK) Ltd. 8/F, Emperor International Square 7 Wang Tai Road Kowloon Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Phone: +852 21 92-11 88 Fax:   +852 26 90-37 68 eMail: mwong@lga.com.hk

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Last Updated: 08.01.2010