EU legislation and EFSA guidance documents detail how to compile dossiers for food contact material applications and what type of scientific data and other information must be included. EFSA regularly updates its guidance documents. Applicants are reminded to ensure they are using the latest version before applying.
Food contact materials
Regulatory framework
Plastic materials
Administrative guidance and support initiatives
- Applicable to applications submitted as of 27 March 2021
- Administrative guidance for the preparation of applications on substances to be used in plastic food contact materials (update 2021)
- Administrative guidance for the processing of applications for regulated products (update 2021)
- EFSA's Catalogue of support initiatives during the life-cycle of applications for regulated products (update 2021)
- Applicable to applications submitted until 26 March 2021
- Administrative guidance for the preparation of applications for the safety assessment of substances to be used in plastic Food Contact Materials
- Administrative guidance for the processing of applications for regulated products
- EFSA's Catalogue of support initiatives during the life-cycle of applications for regulated products
Scientific guidance
- Applicable to applications submitted as of 27 March 2021
- Applicable to applications submitted until 26 March 2021
Recycling process to produce recycled plastic
Administrative guidance and support initiatives
- Applicable to applications submitted as of 27 March 2021
- Administrative guidance for the preparation of applications on recycling processes to produce recycled plastics intended to be used for manufacture of materials and articles in contact with food
- Administrative guidance for the processing of applications for regulated products (update 2021)
- EFSA's Catalogue of support initiatives during the life-cycle of applications for regulated products (update 2021)
- Applicable to applications submitted until 26 March 2021
- Guidelines on submission of a dossier for safety evaluation by EFSA of a recycling process to produce recycled plastics
- Administrative guidance for the processing of applications for regulated products
- EFSA's Catalogue of support initiatives during the life-cycle of applications for regulated products
Scientific guidance
- Applicable to applications submitted as of 27 March 2021
- Applicable to applications submitted until 26 March 2021
Applicable to all applications (submitted before or after 27 March 2021)
Other guidance
Guidance on the review, revision and development of EFSA's cross-cutting guidance documents
Active and intelligent materials and articles
Administrative guidance and support initiatives
- Applicable to applications submitted as of 27 March 2021
- Administrative guidance for the preparation of applications on substances to be used in active and intelligent materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
- Administrative guidance for the processing of applications for regulated products (update 2021)
- EFSA's Catalogue of support initiatives during the life-cycle of applications for regulated products (update 2021)
- Applicable to applications submitted until 26 March 2021
- Guidelines on submission of a dossier for safety evaluation by the EFSA of active or intelligent substances present in active and intelligent materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
- Administrative guidance for the processing of applications for regulated products
- EFSA's Catalogue of support initiatives during the life-cycle of applications for regulated products
Scientific guidance
- Applicable to applications submitted as of 27 March 2021
- Applicable to applications submitted until 26 March 2021
Regenerated cellulose film
Administrative guidance and support initiatives
- Applicable to applications submitted as of 27 March 2021
- Applicable to applications submitted until 26 March 2021