Food contact material applications: frequently asked questions
EFSA provides scientific advice on the safety evaluation of substances used in food contact materials (FCM) including active and intelligent materials and of the recycling processes for recycled plastics New plastic goods or materials that have been made from recycled plastic waste used in FCM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Some general questions that we often receive are available in our Connect.EFSA portal dedicated FAQ page.
1. Are the requirements the same for all food contact material Any material, typically packaging or kitchen equipment, designed to come into contact with foodstuffs evaluations?
The application procedure set down in Regulation EC 1935/2004 in EFSA’s guidance applies the same administrative and technical requirements to all substances (and recycling processes for recycled plastics) used in FCM. There are, however, additional scientific requirements for:
- Plastic materials – Regulation EC 10/2011 sets out specific requirements for substances intended to be used in plastic food contact materials and EFSA has published a scientific guidance and an administrative guidance to help applicants in preparing an application.
Recycling processes for recycled plastics used in FCM – Regulation EC 282/2008 lays down additional requirements for these processes and EFSA has published guidelines on recycling processes for recycled plastics that are essential reading for completing the related technical dossiers (see also the scientific opinion Opinions include risk assessments on general scientific issues, evaluations of an application for the authorisation of a product, substance or claim, or an evaluation of a risk assessment on the scientific criteria for PET recycling for recycled FCMs). The European Commission has also published an informative Q&A on recycling processes as an aid for applicants.
Active and intelligent substances – Guidelines on submission of an application. Until a Union list is established by the European Commission the general six-month period for risk assessment A specialised field of applied science that involves reviewing scientific data and studies in order to evaluate risks associated with certain hazards. It involves four steps: hazard identification, hazard characterisation, exposure assessment and risk characterisation does not apply for active and intelligent substances.
Legislation, guidance and other documents on these and other specific materials and processes is also available on the European Commission website.
2. Short cuts for applicants
- Application procedure for Food Contact Materials: Regulation EC 1935/2004
- Application procedure for Plastic materials: Regulation EC 10/2011
- Application procedure for Recycling processes for recycled plastics used in FCM: Regulation EC 282/2008
- Submission to the Competent authority of a Member State
- EFSA’s guidance documents
- Requirements for plastic materials: scientific guidance and administrative guidance
- Requirements for recycling processes: guidance and scientific criteria
- European Commission Q&A on recycling processes
- Requirements for active and intelligent substances
- Food contact materials Working Groups
- CEP Panel Plenary meetings
- Adopted scientific opinions of the CEP Panel
- Official Journal of the European Union
- Legislation, guidance and other documents (European Commission - DG SANTE)
- Positive lists for substances used in the manufacture of plastics and regenerated cellulose
- European Commission Food contact materials database
- Contact regarding authorisation: Unit E6 – Innovation and Sustainability - Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE)
- Ask a question web form