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Request risk assessment for new substances in food contact materials that are not subject to EU-wide harmonized material-specific regulation

Service Description

Food contact materials are subject to harmonized European legislation in Germany. According to this, food contact materials may not release any components into the food in quantities that

  • could endanger human health,
  • lead to unacceptable changes in the composition of the food or
  • impair the properties of the food that can be perceived by the human senses, such as taste, texture or color.

As a manufacturer, you must ensure that the legal requirements are met - among other things by selecting raw materials that are suitable for the production of food contact materials. For some materials, there are already specific regulations on requirements for these substances. This is the case for plastics and ceramics, for example.

Do you want to use a substance for the manufacture of food contact materials for which no risk assessment has yet been carried out? Then you can submit a request for a risk assessment by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) to the BVL. The request must be accompanied by background information explaining the scientific problem and the Community interest.

Process flow

Send your request for a risk assessment by e-mail to the BVL:

  • Include background information explaining the scientific problem and a justification of the Community interest with your request.
  • The BVL will check the completeness and, if necessary, submit the documents to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) for an opinion.
  • The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) decides on the existence of a Community interest and, in the positive case, forwards the application to EFSA. application to the EFSA.

Requirements

  • There are not yet any European harmonized regulations for the substance you want to use for the production of a food contact material.

Which documents are required?

  • Your request must contain background information explaining the scientific problem and a justification of the Community interest.

What are the fees?

There are no costs.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

There is no deadline.

Processing duration

The duration of the process depends on the documents submitted and the amount of checking required. The process may take longer if further information needs to be requested.

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • There are no legal remedies against the BVL.
  • Appeals against a decision must be submitted directly to the European Commission.

Appeal

Forms available: No

Written form required: No

Informal application possible: Yes

Personal appearance necessary: No

Online services available: No

What else should I know?

There are no indications or special features.

Further Information

Author

Forwarding service: Deep link to the portal of origin

Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL)

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL)

Professionally released on

20.07.2022

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

Competent Authority

Bundesamt für Verbraucherschutz und Lebensmittelsicherheit (BVL) - Dienststelle Berlin Gerichtstraße, Referat 113

Address
Gerichtstraße 49
13347 Berlin, Stadt
Link to the directions:
BVL-Dienststelle Berlin Gerichtstraße

Postal address
Post office box 11 02 60
10832 Berlin, Stadt
Telephone
+49 3018 444-99999
Fax
+49 3018 444-89999
E-Mail
Contact us
WWW
Website of the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety

Bank account

Recipients: Bundeskasse Trier
Bank: Deutsche Bundesbank Filiale Saarbrücken
BIC: MARKDEF1590
IBAN: DE81590000000059001020