Commission Regulation (EC) No 1622/2000 (repealed)Show full title

1. MEMBRANE REQUIREMENTS U.K.

1.1. The membranes are to be arranged alternately in a ‘filter-press’ type system or any other appropriate system separating the treatment (wine) and concentration (waste water) compartments. U.K.

1.2. The cation-permeable membranes must be designed to extract cations only, in particular K⁺ and Ca⁺⁺. U.K.

1.3. The anion-permeable membranes must be designed to extract anions only, in particular tartrate anions. U.K.

1.4. The membranes must not excessively modify the physico-chemical composition and sensory characteristics of the wine. They must meet the following requirements: U.K.

• they must be manufactured according to good manufacturing practice from substances authorised for the manufacture of plastic materials intended to come into contact with foodstuffs as listed in Annex II to Commission Directive 90/128/EEC(1);

• the user of the electrodialysis equipment must show that the membranes used meet the above requirements and that any replacements have been made by specialised personnel;

• they must not release any substance in quantities endangering human health or affecting the taste or smell of foodstuffs and must meet the criteria laid down in Directive 90/128/EEC;

• their use must not trigger interactions between their constituents and the wine liable to result in the formation of new compounds that may be toxic in the treated product.

The stability of fresh electrodialysis membranes is to be determined using a simulant reproducing the physico-chemical composition of the wine for investigation of possible migration of certain substances from them.

The experimental method recommended is as follows:

The simulant is a water-alcohol solution buffered to the pH and conductivity of the wine. Its composition is as follows:

• absolute ethanol: 11 l,

• potassium hydrogen tartrate: 380 g,

• potassium chloride: 60 g,

• concentrated sulphuric acid: 5 ml,

• distilled water: to make up 100 litres.

This solution is used for closed circuit migration tests on an electrodialysis stack under tension (1 volt/cell), on the basis of 50 l/m² of anionic and cationic membranes, until 50 % demineralisation of the solution. The effluent circuit is initiated by a 5 g/l potassium chloride solution. Migrating substances are tested for in both the simulant and the effluent.

Organic molecules entering into the membrane composition that are liable to migrate into the treated solution will be determined. A specific determination will be carried out for each of these constituents by an approved laboratory. The content in the simulant of all the determined compounds must be less than 50 g/l.

The general rules on controls of materials in contact with foodstuffs must be applied to these membranes.

(1)

OJ L 75, 21.3.1990, p. 19. Last amended by Directive 1999/91/EC (OJ L 330, 4.12.1999, p. 41).