Food Contact Materials (FCM) Regulation
What is the revision of the Food Contact Materials Regulation?
The EU is planning to review the Food Contact Materials (FCM) Regulation to improve the safety, transparency and sustainability of materials that touch food. The update will tackle substances of concern, create harmonised rules for non-plastic materials such as paper, metals, and composites, introduce stronger safety checks for recycled materials and improve traceability and information sharing.
Why is it important?
Adhesives and sealants are essential in food packaging because they hold packaging layers together, seal containers and help products last longer. Modern adhesives improve food safety by preventing contamination, keeping packages secure and supporting barrier properties that protect food quality. Adhesives used in food contact are specifically formulated to meet strict migration limits and are safe when they are correctly chosen and applied.
What are we asking for?
- Risk-based approach: The rules should focus on real migration and exposure risks, not blanket bans based only on hazard labels. Modern adhesives are designed to keep migration very low and meet strict safety limits
- Technology neutrality: The rules should not favour certain materials or bonding methods. They should focus on safety results, not on prescribing or banning specific chemistries
- Regulatory alignment: Information and documentation requirements should be consistent across the rules to avoid duplicate reporting, conflicting data, and unnecessary burden, especially for SMEs
Related documents and information:
- FEICA Guidance (updated): Migration testing of adhesives intended for food contact material (May 2023)
- FEICA Guidance: Food contact status declaration for adhesives (March 2022) - Also available in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch.
- FEICA Position: Recommendation to adhesive suppliers and users on the assessment of PAAs in polyurethane adhesives intended to be used in food packaging (March 2022)
- FEICA Briefing: Summary Report of the FEICA risk assessment of cyclic esters in polyester adhesive (June 2020)
- FEICA Guidance: Evaluating the food contact status of adhesives containing mineral oil hydrocarbons (May 2023)
- FEICA Study: Oligomeric hydrocarbons from hotmelt adhesives used in cardboard packaging (October 2021)
- FEICA Guidance: Good Manufacturing Practice - GMP (March 2015) - Also available in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Dutch (on demand).
- ILSI Europe Report: Adhesives for Food Packaging Materials (October 2018)