Animal Feed

Feed additives may only be placed on the EU market if authorisation has been received following a scientific evaluation demonstrating that the additive has no harmful effects, on human and animal health and on the environment. Authorised feed additives are listed in the EU Register of Feed Additives .

Feed materials may only be placed on the EU market if they are notified in the EU Catalogue (Register) of Feed Materials and if it has been demonstrated that they are safe and do not have a direct adverse effect on the environment or animal welfare. A product cannot be a feed additive and a feed material at the same time . Moreover, maximum limits are laid down for specific undesirable substances in animal feed. Feed business operators shall satisfy the relevant regulatory hygiene requirements (good manufacturing practices) and, especially for feed additives, establishments must be registered or approved by the competent national authorities.

Biocides

A biocide is a chemical or microorganism intended to kill or control harmful organisms. This may include for example disinfectants, preservatives and products for pest control (rats, mollusks, birds etc.). Products which are used in an agricultural context (plant protection products) are not considered biocides but they are pesticides. Biocides are developed to kill harmful organisms and maybe toxic for human health and/or the environment and therefore countries may have developed specific legislation for these biocidal products. In many countries an approval of the authorities is needed before they can be placed on the market. In some cases the concept of the legislation is similar to the pesticides legislation.

Cosmetics

Cosmetic products placed on the EU market must be safe. Therefore the manufacturer is responsible for the safety of their products, and must ensure that they undergo an expert scientific safety assessment before they are sold. A special database with information on cosmetic substances and ingredients, called CosIng , enables easy access to data on these substances, including legal requirements and restrictions. The Cosmetic Regulation requires the constitution of the Product Information File (PIF) including the Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR) in English and a notification on the EU cosmetic products notification portal (CPNP). There is no need for any further notification at national level within the EU.

Food Contact

Food contact materials (FCMs) are all materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, such as packaging and containers, kitchen equipment, cutlery and dishes, processing equipment. These can be made from a variety of materials including plastics, rubber, paper and metal. European legislation for food contact materials also covers materials that contact water intended for human consumption, e.g. bottles, but excludes fixed public or private water supply equipment. The safety of food contact materials must be evaluated as chemicals can migrate from the materials into food in order to secure a high level of protection of human health .

Medical Devices

A medical device is an article, instrument, apparatus or machine that is used in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of illness or disease, or for detecting, measuring, restoring, correcting or modifying the structure or function of the body for some health purpose.

Microplastics

Microplastics are small solid particles – typically smaller than 5 mm – composed of synthetic polymers, functional additives and production residues. Due to concerns related to their potential effect on humans and the environment, European authorities have put in place regulatory actions.