The New EU Regulation 2025/351 at a Glance: What Changes for Plastics in Contact with Food?

On 24 February 2025, the European Commission published Regulation (EU) 2025/351 on food-contact materials, which has been in effect since 16 March. It updates and supplements existing regulations, particularly Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 on food-contact materials and Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 on recycled plastics. The aim is to further improve the safety of food-contact materials (FCMs) and promote the use of recycled materials.  

We have summarised some of the key points that also feed into our product safety measures:  
 

Higher Purity Standards for Raw Materials & Stricter NIAS Controls

A central element of the regulation is the introduction of a “high purity level” for all substances used in the manufacture of food-contact plastics. Non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) will now be subject to stricter regulations, particularly concerning potentially genotoxic substances. NIAS must undergo risk assessment if their migration exceeds 0.00015 mg/kg of food. Additives and UVCB substances must meet higher purity and traceability standards.  
 

Biocidal Ingredients

Active substances used in biocidal products and authorised under Regulation (EU) No. 528/2012 for Product Type 4 (PA – food and feed) may now be used as additives in food-contact plastics.  
 

New Labelling Requirements

Reusable food-contact items will now need to include pecific usage instructions. This also applies to materials that have not yet come into contact with food. Labels must, for example, provide information on temperature limits, contact times, or usage restrictions´.  
 

Stricter Regulations for Recycled Plastics

Recycled plastics must meet the same requirements as new materials, with only minor exceptions regarding purity levels. Quality assurance measures must be implemented throughout the entire recycling process. Traceability will also be improved to minimise contamination risks in food-grade recycled materials. Production residues and cuttings may only be reused if strict manufacturing practices (such as GMPs) are followed.  
 

Expanded Declarations of Compliance (DoC) 

Manufacturers will now have to provide more comprehensive information about their product composition, including relevant NIAS and recycled components. Additionally, they must indicate whether a product is intended for reprocessing.  
 

Transition Periods

Products that do not comply with the new amending regulation may continue to be placed on the market until stocks are exhausted, provided they were first placed on the market by 16 September 2026.

Link to the entire regulation (EU) 2025/351

More about product safety at Lifocolor
 

Conclusion

These new regulations require early review of existing products, labels, and documentation. Lifocolor is here to support you – we are happy to advise you, especially if you require an adjusted masterbatch formulation in light of these changes.  Contact our Customer Service Team via or +49 9571 789-0.