Materials and articles in contact with food — good manufacturing practice

SUMMARY OF:

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 — good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food

SUMMARY

WHAT DOES THE REGULATION DO?

It lays down rules on good manufacturing practice (GMP)* for materials and articles that come into contact with food.

KEY POINTS

• The legislation applies to all sectors and all stages of manufacture, processing and distribution of materials and articles.
• Businesses must:
  • conform with good manufacturing practice;
  • establish, implement and apply an effective and documented quality assurance system*;
  • establish and maintain an effective quality control system;
  • establish and maintain appropriate records, either in paper or electronic form, on specifications, formulae and processing on the safety of the individual product and the various manufacturing operations.
• Good manufacturing practice covers objects such as containers, packaging, paper, cardboard, ink and adhesives which could come into contact with food.
• Quality assurance systems take account of:
  • the staff’s knowledge and skills and the organisation of the premises and equipment;
  • the size of the business to prevent them being an excessive burden.
• Quality control systems include:
  • monitoring the implementation of good manufacturing practice; and
  • identifying and correcting any measures that fall short of the required standards.
• An amendment (Regulation (EC) No 282/2008) sets out a specific quality assurance system for recycled plastic materials and articles that come into contact with food.

FROM WHEN DOES THE REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 1 August 2008.

KEY TERMS

* Good manufacturing practice: those aspects of quality assurance that ensure materials and articles conform to quality standards, do not endanger human health or cause an unacceptable change in the composition of the food.

* Quality assurance system: organised and documented arrangements that ensure materials and articles meet the quality required.

ACT

Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 of 22 December 2006 on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food (OJ L 384, 29.12.2006, pp. 75-78)

Subsequent amendments to Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 have been incorporated into the basic text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

last update 02.05.2016