Apply for approval of new substances for plastics in food contact materials

Materials that come into contact with food are subject to European legislation. In good manufacturing practice and under normal conditions, they must not release constituents into the food in quantities which

• endanger human health
• lead to an unacceptable change in the composition of the food, or
• cause a deterioration in the organoleptic properties of the food, such as taste or odor.

As a manufacturer of plastic food contact materials, you are responsible for compliance with these requirements. You must ensure that the contact materials are harmless to health.

For finished products made of plastic for food contact, such as packaging, there is no obligation for approval in Germany. However, there is one for the substances and materials that your company uses in the manufacture of the individual materials. The basis for this is an EU-wide coordinated and valid procedure.

You can submit the application for approval of a new substance for use in food contact plastics exclusively via the European Commission's online portal "E-Submission Food Chain Platform" (ESFC).

The Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) is the national contact point in Germany. If you select the BVL as your point of contact, the BVL formally checks the application for completeness and relevance of the documents. The BVL then forwards it to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

EFSA reviews your application on the basis of scientific findings. The European Commission decides on the actual approval. Even in the event of non-approval, the European Commission will inform you and give reasons for its decision.

If the substance complies with all food law requirements, it will be added to the so-called Union list of substances permitted in plastics for food contact in accordance with Regulation (EU) No.10/2011. This means that you and, if applicable, other companies may use the substance for the manufacture of plastic materials with food contact.

You must inform the EU Commission immediately if you have new scientific or technical knowledge that may affect the assessment of the safety of the substance in relation to human health.