Ensuring Safety and Quality in Food Contact Materials (FCM): Understanding the European Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004

The European Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 is a major regulation governing the safety and quality standards of the food and beverage industry. It ensures that all food contact materials (FCM) are safe and compliant with European Union (EU) legislation. In this blog post, we will cover the European Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 and why it is a key component of being successful in the food and beverage industry.

What are Food Contact Materials (FCM)?

Substances or materials that are in contact with food or potable beverages during processing, packaging, or storage. This includes component parts in equipment used for food processing.

What is the European Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004?

The European Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 is a legislative framework established by the European Union to regulate materials and articles that are intended to come into contact with food and beverage contents. This regulation covers a wide array of materials, including plastics, ceramics, paper, and metals, among others. Its primary goal is to ensure that these materials do not pose any risk to human health and do not alter the composition, taste, or odor of the food and beverage contents.

Under this regulation, materials and articles must meet specific criteria before they can be marketed in the EU. They must be manufactured according to good manufacturing practices (GMP), and they should not release substances in quantities that could endanger human health or bring about an unacceptable change in the composition of the food and beverage contents. Additionally, the regulation mandates that all food contact materials must be traceable throughout the supply chain, ensuring that any issues can be swiftly identified and addressed.

Why is the European Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 Important?

1. Consumer Safety: The primary objective of the European Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 is to protect consumer health. By setting safety standards, the regulation ensures that materials in contact with food and beverage contents do not release harmful substances. This is crucial in preventing food contamination and allowing consumers to have access to safe and high-quality food products.
2. Compliance and Market Access: For manufacturers and suppliers in the food and beverage industry, compliance with this regulation is essential for market access within the European Union. Non-compliance can lead to severe penalties, including product recalls, fines, and a damaged reputation. By adhering to the regulation, it ensures legal compliance while building trust with consumers and business partners.
3. Innovation and Improvement: The regulation promotes innovation by encouraging the development of new materials and technologies that meet safety standards. This drives continuous improvement, leading to the creation of better and safer food contact materials. Companies that innovate within these guidelines can gain a competitive edge and lead the market with cutting-edge solutions.
4. Traceability and Accountability: The traceability requirement of the regulation ensures that every stage of the supply chain can be monitored and audited. This enhances accountability and transparency, making it easier to trace and rectify issues that arise. Traceability also leads to the quick and effective recall of non-compliant products, minimizing potential consumer risks.

Our Regulation Compliance

The European Framework Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 is one of the many regulations that we have a Declaration of Compliance (DoC) for at Trojan Technologies.

Declaration of Compliance (DoC) – A written declaration indicating the material or article complies with applicable regulations. It must demonstrate compliance and be available to authorities at any time.

Our Aquafine UV products meet or exceed regulatory and compliance requirements for the regions and applications that we serve.

Countries where our products have a Declaration of Compliance (DoC):

Conditions of Use

Conditions of Use describe how Food Contact Materials (FCM) can be used with the intended product. These conditions include contact surfaces, temperatures, times, and substance ratios, among other criteria relating to the product’s intended use.

Use Our UV Products as Food Contact Materials

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