GB 4806.16-2025 National Food Safety Standard – Silicone Rubber Materials and Articles for Food Contact was issued in September 2025 and will be enforced mandatorily in September 2026. The standard introduces a mandatory limit for volatile organic compounds (VOC/volatile matter), directly targeting residual solvents, low-molecular-weight siloxanes, off-odors, and safety risks. This marks a critical gateway for compliance and quality upgrading of food-contact silicone materials.

Professional VOC testing services help enterprises scientifically assess the compliance of silicone materials, avoiding potential legal and market risks.

01 Scientific Basis & Testing Methods

  • Core limit value: Volatile matter ≤ 0.5 g / 100 g.
  • Testing method: According to Annex B of GB 4806.16-2025 – heat at 100 °C for 1 hour + 200 °C for 4 hours, test in parallel samples, strictly control mass loss.
  • Key control targets: Benzene series, solvent residues, uncrosslinked small molecules, vulcanization by-products; simultaneously meet sensory requirements (no off-odor, no abnormal smell, no unclean substances).
  • Regulatory significance: Aligns with advanced international requirements, prevents migration of volatile substances into food at source, and protects food safety.

02 Enterprise Compliance – R&D & Production

  • Raw material control: Select low-VOC food-grade raw rubber and compliant additives; verify MSDS and declaration of conformity for each batch; mandatory incoming inspection of volatiles and solvent residues.
  • Process optimization: Precise control of vulcanization time and temperature; enhance vacuum devolatilization and post-curing (secondary vulcanization) to thoroughly remove small molecule residues, reducing VOC at the process level. 
  • In-process sampling: Regularly test semi-finished products for volatile substances; real-time correction; finished products tested batch by batch according to the standard with traceable data.
  • Release before shipment: Use the national standard limit as the internal control baseline; apply even stricter limits for infant and child products; ensure no odor, safer and more reliable.

03 CIRS Testing Recommendation

CIRS Testing recommends that all relevant enterprises take GB 4806.16-2025 as the quality benchmark – adhere to the safety baseline and upgrade quality limits. By using compliant raw materials, refined processes, and rigorous testing, companies can produce reliable food-contact silicone products, providing stable and trustworthy safety assurance for consumers and partners.

CIRS Testing currently possesses CMA and CNAS accredited capabilities for compliance testing of various food-contact materials, including

We provide professional consulting and testing services to help enterprises understand and respond to new regulatory requirements, ensure product compliance, and reduce the risk of non-compliance.

Safety is never a small matter; compliance is the normal state of business. Continuously align with new national standards and protect every contact with food through professional quality control.

Follow CIRS Testing – we help you navigate the complex regulatory environment and ensure your products are safe and reliable. If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch via test@cirs-group.com.