Quality & documentation
Kitchenware for Great Britain
Great Britain kept the EU food-contact framework as assimilated law, enforced by local authorities, so documents must reference the GB instruments rather than the EU ones, and a brand on the product is treated as its producer.
The framework
GOV.UK guidance states that "All FCMs must comply with the requirements of assimilated Regulation 1935/2004, which sets out the general framework." It adds that "Local authorities are responsible for enforcing FCM legislation", with powers to carry out documentary checks and serve enforcement notices.
The substance is close to the EU position, so the same testing usually serves both markets. The difference is on paper: a declaration for Great Britain should cite the assimilated GB legislation, and one citing only the EU regulation is a common, avoidable defect.
What this means for kitchenware
- Producer responsibility: in the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, a "producer" includes "any other person presenting himself as the manufacturer by affixing to the product his name, trade mark or other distinctive mark".
- Packaging EPR: GOV.UK guidance says you are obligated if you "supplied or imported more than 25 tonnes of packaging in the UK in the previous year" and have worldwide turnover of £1 million or more. Ask us for pack weights by material.
- Northern Ireland: different rules can apply to goods placed on the Northern Ireland market; confirm with your compliance adviser.
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.