EU Food Contact Materials (FCM) EC 1935/2004 Standard

EC 1935/2004 represents Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 October 2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. This is Regulation No. 1935 issued by the European Union in 2004.

EU Food Grade Testing is a landmark European legislation for the food industry, covering materials that come into contact with food. We can provide you with compliant and legal testing solutions to ensure your products meet the food contact regulations of the EU market.

EC 1935/2004 stipulates that the migration of substances (contaminants) between the relevant materials and food must be kept within specific permissible limits to avoid contamination and undesirable changes in taste.

Food Contact Materials (FCM) should be manufactured so that their constituents do not adversely affect consumer health or influence food quality. To ensure the safety of FCMs and facilitate the free movement of goods, EU law sets out binding rules that business operators must comply with.

Product Scope of EU food contact materials testing

1.Storage containers; kitchenware, as well as household appliances that come into direct contact with food;

2.Packaging materials, including cans, bottles, and films used to preserve or protect food;

3.Materials, machinery, and equipment used in the production, storage, and transportation of food (cooking and freezing equipment, tank trucks, vats, mixers, etc.);

4.Baby bottle teats and pacifiers (soothers);

5.Active materials, such as freshness indicators/labels;

6.Other items, such as napkins, fruit baskets, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which countries require compliance with Regulation 1935/2004/EC?

All European Union member states apply the 1935/2004/EC standard. In addition, some relevant countries also have their own national regulations for food contact materials. For example, products exported to Germany must also comply with the requirements of the LFGB regulation.

Are there other regulations to comply with when exporting products to the European market?

Yes. Different Food Contact Materials (FCM) also have their own specific testing requirements. For example:

1.Ceramics: Directive 84/500/EEC, as amended by Directive 2005/31/EC;

2.Regenerated Cellulose Film: Directive 2007/42/EC;

3.Plastics: Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, including its seven amendments;

4.N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances in elastomer or rubber teats and soothers: Directive 93/11/EEC;

5.BADGE (2,2-BIS(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane bis(2,3-epoxypropyl) ether): Regulation (EC) No 1895/2005.

How long does the laboratory testing take? Can it be expedited?

The standard testing turnaround time is 5 working days. If you need an expedited report, please notify our customer service team when placing your order.