Quality & documentation
Kitchenware for the European Union
In the EU every food-contact material must meet Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, plastics must meet Regulation 10/2011, and the business whose name is on the product carries the manufacturer's obligations under the General Product Safety Regulation.
The framework
The European Commission states that "all food contact materials must comply with Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004" and that they must be manufactured under good manufacturing practice (Regulation 2023/2006), with specific rules for materials such as plastics and ceramics.
For plastic components, Article 12 of Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 sets the overall migration limit at 10 mg of constituents per dm² of food-contact surface. The 60 mg/kg figure often quoted beside it applies to food for infants and young children, not as a general alternative.
What this means for kitchenware
- Declaration of compliance: expect one for materials in scope, naming the regulation, the material and the conditions of use, backed by test reports.
- Your brand makes you the manufacturer: under Article 13(1) of Regulation (EU) 2023/988, a person "shall be deemed to be a manufacturer" where they place a product on the market "under the natural or legal person's name or trademark". Private-label buyers carry the technical file obligations.
- Germany: buyers often ask for LFGB test reports as well. See the LFGB guide.
- Labelling: the glass-and-fork symbol or equivalent wording is expected where food-contact use is not obvious from the product.
What to send us
- The product reference and sample version, or a drawing number and revision.
- Every component that touches food, with its material: stainless grade, polymer, silicone, wood, coating or decoration.
- The foods it will meet and the conditions: temperature, contact time, repeated or single use, dishwasher or hand wash.
- The country of sale and the sales channel, plus your buyer's document checklist if they have one.
- Whether the request covers the current configuration or a proposed change.
We prepare the brief with you and confirm which reports and declarations exist for the configuration, which need commissioning, and how long testing takes.
Keep documents connected
When materials, finishes, colours or use claims change, check whether earlier documents still cover the product, and connect the final report or declaration to the sample and specification version being ordered. See test reports and documents for how to read a report's scope.
Official guidance
Sources checked 21 September 2026. Requirements depend on the actual product and intended use.