Germany · Food Contact

Food Contact Labelling in Germany

A practical guide to Food Contact Labelling for food contact sold in Germany: who it applies to, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cause rejection.

Who needs it

Food contact articles must carry the food-safe symbol and any required warnings; Brands selling packaging, tableware, or kitchenware in Germany

Authority

Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture

Legal basis

German Ink Ordinance (Druckfarbenverordnung)

Local representative

The importer is normally responsible for compliance

Timeline

Before sale; testing usually takes weeks

Cost

Migration testing is the main cost

If you do not comply

Withdrawal, recall, and fines

Who needs this

Food contact articles must carry the food-safe symbol and any required warnings
Brands selling packaging, tableware, or kitchenware in Germany

Documents you need

Food contact label artwork
Food contact declaration of compliance
Migration test reports
Material composition and supplier declarations

Compliance checklist

Tick each item as you collect it. Saved in this browser only.

Food contact label artwork
Food contact declaration of compliance
Migration test reports
Material composition and supplier declarations

How to comply

Apply the food contact symbol and warnings
Confirm the material is in scope of food contact rules
Review composition against the positive list
Test migration where required

Brief for your lab or agent

Copy this into an email, then edit the product and channel.

Request: Food Contact Labelling — Germany
Product category: Food Contact
Authority: Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture
Legal basis: German Ink Ordinance (Druckfarbenverordnung)

Documents we already have:
  1. Food contact label artwork
  2. Food contact declaration of compliance
  3. Migration test reports
  4. Material composition and supplier declarations

Questions:
  1. Does our product fall under Food Contact Labelling in Germany?
  2. Which test standards or evidence do you accept?
  3. What is the current fee and lead time?
  4. Is a local representative required, and can you act as one?

Cost and timeline

Before sale; testing usually takes weeks.

Migration testing is the main cost.

Common rejection reasons

Food-safe symbol missing
No declaration of compliance
Migration limits exceeded
Non-authorised substance in the formulation

Registration, notification, or certification is not the same as approval. Keep the technical file current and make sure the label, listing, and submitted data match.