European Union · Food Contact

EU Food Contact Materials Compliance

A practical guide to EU Food Contact Materials Compliance for food contact sold in the European Union: who it applies to, what to prepare, and the mistakes that cause rejection.

Who needs it

Materials and articles intended to come into contact with food; Packaging, kitchenware, and food processing equipment

Authority

National food safety authorities in the EU

Legal basis

Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004; Regulation (EU) No 10/2011; Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006

Local representative

Not applicable — the business operator is responsible

Timeline

Before placing the material on the market

Cost

Migration testing and documentation costs vary

If you do not comply

Product withdrawal and enforcement action

Who needs this

Materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
Packaging, kitchenware, and food processing equipment

Documents you need

Declaration of Compliance
Migration test reports
Good manufacturing practice records

Compliance checklist

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

Declaration of Compliance
Migration test reports
Good manufacturing practice records

How to comply

Identify the material and applicable rules
Test migration against the limits
Issue the Declaration of Compliance
Keep documentation for traceability

Brief for your lab or agent

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

Request: EU Food Contact Materials Compliance — European Union
Product category: Food Contact
Authority: National food safety authorities in the EU
Legal basis: Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004; Regulation (EU) No 10/2011; Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006

Documents we already have:
  1. Declaration of Compliance
  2. Migration test reports
  3. Good manufacturing practice records

Questions:
  1. Does our product fall under EU Food Contact Materials Compliance in the European Union?
  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 placing the material on the market.

Migration testing and documentation costs vary.

Common rejection reasons

Declaration of Compliance missing or incomplete
Migration limits exceeded
Material not covered by the declared use

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.