New regulations for plastics in food contact by Regulation (EU) 2025/351 have been published.
Important amendments to the EU regulations on plastic food contact materials are presented here. These include amendments to Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011, amendments to Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 on recycled plastics and amendments to Regulation (EC) No. 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practice.
Important clarifications concern the definitions and requirements for plastics, the introduction of “UVCB substances”, purity requirements, regulations on reprocessing and recycling, new labelling regulations and extended declarations of conformity. In addition, rules on conformity testing and transition periods are specified.
- Amendments to existing regulations:
- Amendments to Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 on plastic materials and articles that come into contact with food.
- Amendments to Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 on recycled plastics and repeal of Regulation (EC) No 282/2008.
- Amendments to Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 on good manufacturing practice.
- Clarifications and precisions:
- Definitions and requirements for the composition of plastics have been specified.
- Introduction of the term “UVCB substances” (substances with unknown or variable composition).
- Extent and nature of evidence to demonstrate compliance and composition of starting materials at each stage of the manufacturing process
- Purity requirements:
- Specification of high purity levels for substances used in the manufacture of food contact materials.
- Specific regulations for the purity of substances of natural origin.
- Reprocessing and recycling:
- Regulations for the reprocessing of plastic by-products.
- Requirements for quality assurance systems in recycling plants.
- Labelling and declaration of conformity:
- New labelling regulations for reusable food contact materials.
- Extended requirements for the declaration of compliance, including information on not intentionally added substances (NIAS)
- Examinations
- Rules on conformity testing and assessment of compliance with limit values clarified
- Criteria for assessing the stability of reusable materials and objects
- Transition periods:
- 18 months first placing on the market
- 9 months before the end of the transition period, information of the customer if the requirements have not yet been met.
You can find the regulation here: Regulation – EU – 2025/351 – EN – EUR-Lex
Contact: Heike Schwertke
