Lab-News
New regulations, standards, methods and research findings that change laboratory work.
- Polish Chief Sanitary Inspector: cyberattacks on refrigeration controllers in supermarkets, slaughterhouses and meat distribution push temperatures to 40–50 °C — temperature checks with independent measuring devices recommended —
On 3 November 2026 Poland’s Chief Sanitary Inspector warned of cyberattacks on cold chain infrastructure in the food industry: attackers take remote control of refrigeration controllers, switch the units to defrost mode or raise the temperature to 40–50 °C, and frozen food, meat and dairy products then have to be destroyed for sanitary and hygiene reasons. A second wave of attacks began on 2 November and hit supermarkets in at least 10 European countries, including Poland; the Inspector recommends regular physical temperature checks with independent measuring devices and comparing the results with the readings of electronic systems. - Global ACI in Panama: three years to move to the revised ISO 20387 for biobanks, two years for the new ISO/IEC 17065 and new MRA scopes — including accreditation of proficiency testing providers and reference material producers —
On 3 November 2026 the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) reported on the autumn meetings of Global ACI — the successor to ILAC and IAF — held on 19–26 October in Panama City. The General Assembly set the transition period for the revised ISO 20387 on general requirements for biobanking at three years from its publication — after which accreditation to ISO 20387:2018 will not be recognised under the Global ACI MRA — and at two years for the new edition of ISO/IEC 17065; it also noted new MRA scopes of accreditation bodies. - Peracetic acid disinfectants for veterinary hygiene: Union authorisation for the ‘PAA based disinfectants - BPF2’ family — 1.25 to 25 % v/v, also at 4 °C, and re-entry only below 0.5 mg/m³ peracetic acid —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2406 of 30 October 2026, published in the Official Journal of the EU on 3 November 2026, grants ITW Novadan ApS Union authorisation No EU-0036848-0000 for a biocidal product family based on peracetic acid for product-type 3 (veterinary hygiene), valid from 23 November 2026 to 31 October 2036. The summary of product characteristics sets concentrations and contact times for each use — from disinfecting animal housings and animal transport vehicles to boot dips — and the airborne concentration below which a room may be re-entered. - ANSES: in E. coli biofilms, a month of exposure to TMN or benzalkonium chloride at the MIC increased the number of rifampicin-resistant variants, and TMN selected mutations in lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis genes and colanic acid overproduction —
On 2 November 2026 the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) described research by its Fougères Laboratory: Escherichia coli biofilms were exposed for a month to four biocidal active substances used in food-processing disinfectants, and rifampicin-resistant variants were then counted. Two of them — N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-dodecylpropane-1,3-diamine (TMN) and benzalkonium chloride — increased their number; the results were published in npj Antimicrobials and Resistance in May 2026. - Changes in PCA accreditations — 01.11.2026: 1 scope added to laboratory pages, 1 new scope edition —
In the register of the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA): 1 scope added to laboratory pages and 1 new scope edition. The LabCoda pages of these laboratories already show the current PCA data — links below the list. - Changes in PCA accreditations — 31.10.2026: 1 new accreditation, 2 new scope editions —
In the register of the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA): 1 new accreditation and 2 new scope editions. The LabCoda pages of these laboratories already show the current PCA data — links below the list. - Carcinogens at the workplace: binding limit values for cobalt (0.01 mg/m³ inhalable and 0.0025 mg/m³ respirable fraction), PAH mixtures measured as benzo[a]pyrene (0.00007 mg/m³), isoprene and 1,4-dioxane, and work involving welding fumes brought within the scope of Directive 2004/37/EC —
Directive (EU) 2026/2450 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2026, published in the Official Journal of the EU on 30 October 2026, is the sixth revision of Directive 2004/37/EC on the protection of workers from carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances. It adds binding limit values for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, isoprene and 1,4-dioxane to Annex III, sets a limit value for PAH mixtures for the first time, introduces a biological limit value for 1,4-dioxane and brings work involving exposure to welding fumes within the scope of the directive; it enters into force on 19 November 2026 and Member States must transpose it by 20 November 2028. - PET recycling for food contact: input to decontamination tested to Annex A of ISO 12418-2:2012 — at most 500 ppm labels and other visible contaminants, 200 ppm PVC and 500 ppm polyolefins including adhesive — and declarations of compliance P, A, B and C —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2376 of 28 October 2026, published in the Official Journal of the EU on 29 October 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2022/1616 on recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with foods. For technology No 1 — post-consumer mechanical PET recycling — washed and dried post-consumer PET waste must give the results m1/m0 ≤ 500 ppm, m2/m0 ≤ 200 ppm and m3/m0 ≤ 500 ppm in a test according to Annex A of ISO 12418-2:2012 (or by a method with equivalent or higher performance); the regulation enters into force on 18 November 2026. - Plastic food contact materials: four new substances on the Union list — a specific migration limit of 0.05 mg/kg for poly(2-hydroxypropanoic acid) esters and the NMDA/MODA mixture, and for nano precipitated calcium carbonate a risk of exceeding the overall migration limit in acidic foods —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/2412, published in the Official Journal of the EU on 29 October 2026, adds four substances assessed by EFSA to the Union list of authorised substances (Table 1 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 10/2011): chopped carbon fibres from carbonised polyacrylonitrile (FCM No 1086), uncoated nano precipitated calcium carbonate (FCM No 1087), poly(2-hydroxypropanoic acid), n-octyl/n-decyl esters (FCM No 1088) and the mixture of 1,9-nonanediamine (NMDA) and 2-methyl-1,8-octanediamine (MODA) (FCM No 1090). Two notes on the verification of compliance are added to Table 3; the regulation enters into force on 18 November 2026, the twentieth day following its publication. - Tumble dryers: EN 61121:2013 and its amendment A12:2025 become harmonised standards for ecodesign and energy labelling — tests in the eco programme with full and partial load, a procedure for multi-drum dryers and a modified measurement of low power modes —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2370, published in the Official Journal of the EU on 29 October 2026 and in force from the day of publication, publishes the references of EN 61121:2013 “Tumble dryers for household use – Methods for measuring the performance” and EN 61121:2013/A12:2025, drafted by CENELEC in support of Regulation (EU) 2023/2533 (ecodesign) and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 (energy labelling). From that day compliance with them confers a presumption of conformity with the corresponding requirements of both regulations; at the same time the reference of harmonised standard EN 60704-2-6:2012 on tumble dryer noise has been withdrawn from the Official Journal. - Crystal glass packaging may exceed the 100 mg/kg limit for the sum of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium until the end of 2029 — lead crystal may only be manufactured until the end of 2028, with dealkalisation and in a closed loop —
Commission Delegated Decision (EU) 2026/1948, published in the Official Journal of the EU on 28 October 2026, introduces a temporary derogation for crystal glass packaging from Article 5(4) of Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste, under which the sum of concentration levels of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium present in packaging or packaging components is not to exceed 100 mg/kg. The derogation applies until 31 December 2029; the decision entered into force on the day following its publication. - Underground waste landfills in Poland: new regulation — monitoring samples at least every 3 months, with sampling and testing only by accredited laboratories or certified test facilities —
On 26 October 2026 Poland’s Minister of Climate and Environment issued a regulation on the requirements for underground waste landfills and their monitoring (Journal of Laws 2026 item 1414), published on 27 October and in force from 28 October. It replaces the 2011 regulation: monitoring sampling and testing take place at least every 3 months instead of every 6, and only laboratories holding an accreditation certificate or certified test facilities may carry them out; for concessions granted earlier, monitoring follows the concession until the end of 2027. - JRC: digital RT-PCR tells highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b) apart from seasonal flu in wastewater — a method based on two duplex assays, described in Emerging Infectious Diseases —
On 21 October 2026 the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) announced a laboratory method that distinguishes seasonal influenza viruses from highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 of clade 2.3.4.4b in wastewater samples. The method combines two duplex assays in digital RT-PCR: the influenza A and B assays of the CDC Flu SC2 panel and the JRC-HA/JRC-MP duplex developed by the JRC in 2025. - 28th General Conference on Weights and Measures in Versailles: from 20 May 2027 UTC runs without leap seconds, and a proposal for a new definition of the second is due at the 2030 conference —
The General Conference on Weights and Measures (CGPM) met in Versailles on 13–15 October 2026 and adopted seven resolutions. The most important for time measurement, Resolution 5, makes continuous UTC effective from 20 May 2027 — without inserting leap seconds — and sets the maximum difference between astronomical time UT1 and UTC at 3,600 seconds, i.e. one hour. - Euro NCAP: physical buttons for basic functions are coming back — in tests under the 2026 protocols the Audi Q7 scored 100% for its driving controls, while the XPENG X9, which relies heavily on the touchscreen for them, scored 20% —
On 12 October 2026 Euro NCAP published the results of its latest tests under the protocols in force since 2026. In the Safe Driving assessment the key driving controls — indicators, windscreen wipers and washer, hazard warning lights, horn and the eCall emergency button — should be operated by a direct physical input rather than hidden within a touchscreen menu. - NPL: Institute of Physics medal for Paul Brewer for the new global reference value of the ozone absorption cross-section — according to NPL about 1.2% lower than the previous standard and six times more accurate —
On 12 October 2026 the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) announced that Paul Brewer has been awarded the 2026 Institute of Physics (IOP) Edward Appleton Medal for his contributions to atmospheric science and his leadership in improving the accuracy of ozone measurements used around the world. - FSA: eggs from one Ukrainian business withdrawn and recalled — Salmonella Enteritidis found in samples, and whole genome sequencing linked the strain to 36 infections reported in England in 2026 —
On 10 October 2026 the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a Food Alert for Action (FSA-FAFA-03-2026) advising that eggs from one Ukrainian food business be withdrawn from the supply chain and recalled immediately. The eggs were supplied mainly to the catering sector through wholesalers, with some sold in small shops; they were not sold in large retailers such as supermarkets. - BAM: certified reference material BAM-B003 made from outdoor clothing textile helps laboratories check the new PFHxA restrictions — from 10 October 2026 the threshold for clothing and footwear is 25 µg/kg of PFHxA and its salts —
On 9 October 2026 the German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) announced that from 10 October new EU restrictions apply to perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), its salts and related substances in clothing, footwear and accessories. Laboratories can check their methods against the certified reference material BAM-B003, made from milled outdoor clothing textile. - Polish Trade Inspection: 7 of 10 chainsaws found non-compliant after laboratory tests — three electric models damaged in the drop test, four petrol models with incorrectly designed guards —
On 9 October 2026 Poland’s competition and consumer protection office UOKiK published the results of a Trade Inspection check: from June to August 2026 the inspectorates in Gdańsk, Poznań, Warsaw and Wrocław examined 10 chainsaw models at wholesalers and large-format stores — five mains-powered electric and five petrol — and all models were also tested in a laboratory. All came from China. - European Commission adopts uniform conditions for operating rules for poultry and pig farms (UCOL) under the Industrial and Livestock Rearing Emissions Directive — maximum values for nitrogen and phosphorus excreted and for ammonia from animal housing, plus mandatory monitoring; to apply in 2030–2032 —
On 8 October 2026 the European Commission announced the adoption of Implementing Decision C(2026) 6899 on uniform conditions for operating rules for the rearing of poultry and pigs (UCOL), based on Article 70i of Directive 2010/75/EU as amended by Directive (EU) 2024/1785. The conditions replace fragmented national approaches with common minimum standards for reducing emissions of ammonia, nitrogen and phosphorus. - IJHARS: 65,870 consignments of imported food checked at the border from January to September 2026 — 99 rejected, including for elevated moisture in popcorn maize and a higher-than-declared extract content in frozen fruit —
On 8 October 2026 Poland’s Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (IJHARS) published the results of border checks of the commercial quality of food imported from non-EU countries. Rejected consignments may not be placed on the market in Poland or anywhere in the EU; according to IJHARS, 0.2% of products did not meet the requirements. - JERICO on the ESFRI 2026 Roadmap: a European research infrastructure for coastal and coastal-ocean observation — 52 organisations from 24 countries and 600 observation platforms, from buoys to FerryBox systems —
On 8 October 2026 Ifremer and CNRS, the coordinators of JERICO (Joint European Research Infrastructure for Coastal Observatories), announced that in June the project was included in the 2026 Roadmap of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) — a step towards a European research infrastructure for integrated observation of coastal zones. - JRC: expansion of hydrogen production in the EU is unlikely to strain most freshwater resources — electrolysis uses 18–22 litres of water per kilogram of hydrogen, and under pessimistic climate scenarios only one in ten plants could face noticeable competition for water —
On 8 October 2026 the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) presented a report on how the expansion of hydrogen production could increase the pressure on freshwater resources in Europe, especially in water-stressed regions such as the Iberian Peninsula. Water demand for fossil-based and electrolytic hydrogen production was modelled up to 2030 and 2050, assuming that the whole demand is met with freshwater. - NIST: 4,563 drug residue samples from 2024–2026 analysed by DART-MS mass spectrometry — fentanyl adulterants are increasing (now more often six or more per sample), and xylazine is being displaced by medetomidine —
On 8 October 2026 the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) described the results of a 2.5-year study showing how adulterants in illicit fentanyl change over time and differ between the eastern and western United States. A total of 4,563 drug residue samples collected nationwide between January 2024 and June 2026 were analysed; the work was published in the journal Drug Testing and Analysis. - Bathing waters in Lazio in 2026: from April to September 1,583 samplings for microbiological parameters and 25 non-compliant results; three emergency phases for the potentially toxic Ostreopsis cf. ovata on the coast and an alert phase for cyanobacteria in Lake Vico —
The regional environmental protection agency ARPA Lazio presented the first data from the 2026 bathing season in a notice published on 8 October 2026 on the website of the Italian SNPA system. The season in Lazio ran from 1 May to 30 September; during it and in April, when pre-season samples are taken, 1,583 samplings for microbiological parameters were carried out, 25 of which were non-compliant. - JRC: more than 180,000 packaged products from 21 countries in the FABLE tool — large differences in nutrient content, and breakfast cereals in most countries with less sugar than in earlier data but more fat —
In a news release of 7 October 2026 the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) presented the first large-scale overview of the nutritional quality of packaged foods in 21 European countries; the report was published on 6 October. Researchers analysed more than 180,000 products in five categories — breakfast cereals, bread products, fresh dairy products and desserts, delicatessen meats and similar products, and soft drinks — using label data collected in the FABLE tool. - SHMÚ: the Danube at Devín records its lowest mean daily discharge since measurements began in 1900 — 575.9 m³/s on 5 October 2026, 4.1 m³/s below the previous minimum from January 1909 —
On 6 October 2026 the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMÚ) reported that, according to operational data, the mean daily discharge of the Danube at the Devín – Bratislava gauging station fell to 575.9 m³/s on 5 October. The previous minimum of 580 m³/s, from January 1909, had stood for 117 years. - CVUA Stuttgart: maximum residue levels exceeded in 4 of 17 samples of dried chickpeas (2,4-D, phosphonic acid, phosphine), while canned chickpeas averaged 0.02 mg/kg of residues against 0.37 mg/kg in dried ones —
On 6 October 2026 the Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office Stuttgart (CVUA Stuttgart) published the results of 21 chickpea samples tested from 2025 to July 2026 for pesticide residues and contaminants: 17 samples of dried chickpeas and 4 of ready-to-eat canned chickpeas (the whole can content was analysed). - Czech food inspection SZPI: accredited laboratory finds sildenafil in two food supplements — the content corresponds to a therapeutic dose and the products were assessed as injurious to health —
On 6 October 2026 the Czech Agriculture and Food Inspection Authority (SZPI) reported finding the unauthorised medicinal substance sildenafil in two batches of food supplements: ELIXIRMAN (capsules from a Chinese manufacturer, sampled by a test purchase from an online shop) and Capatrex (manufacturer Paramount EU, LLC, United Kingdom, sampled in a retail shop in Karlovy Vary). - European Commission proposes a new standardisation regulation to replace 1025/2012: clearer deadlines for standards requested by the Commission, free access to standards developed under EU law and — by the Commission’s estimate — four years instead of six to develop a standard —
On 6 October 2026 the European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on European standardisation, repealing Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 (COM(2026)780, with impact assessment SWD(2026)786). The proposal aims to speed up the development of standards, increase the representation of small and medium-sized enterprises and better support the EU’s strategic interests; it will now be examined by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU. - CBAM: European Accreditation issues document EA-6/05 INF on cooperation between EEA accreditation bodies and bodies in third countries in accrediting verifiers of embedded emissions —
On 6 October 2026 European Accreditation (EA) announced that on 5 October it had published the informative document EA-6/05 INF on cooperation between EEA national accreditation bodies and national accreditation bodies in third countries in the accreditation of verifiers established outside the EEA under Regulation (EU) 2023/956 (CBAM). The document was prepared by the EA Certification Committee and approved on 15 September 2026. - BfR on chemicals in textiles: REACH limits for 33 CMR substances, 75 mg/kg for formaldehyde, 0.1% by weight for nine phthalates — and first results of studies on the release of azo dyes from polyester and cotton —
On 6 October 2026 the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published questions and answers on chemicals in clothing and other textiles — from dyes and production auxiliaries to finishing agents that make fabrics, for example, water-repellent or crease-resistant. BfR summarises the rules in force and explains what the risk depends on: whether a substance is released from the fabric and whether it penetrates through the skin or by inhalation. - European Commission assesses water and flood risk management plans of 8 more Member States — in Ireland 3.7% of surface water bodies have good chemical status, while the status of 92.5% remains unknown —
On 5 October 2026 the European Commission published new reports on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the Floods Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, covering Member States that did not provide data in time for the initial reports of February 2025. The assessments of third River Basin Management Plans and second Flood Risk Management Plans concern Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia and Slovenia. - CEN/TS 18296-2:2026: how to apply children’s anthropometric and strength data in designing and assessing products — from child seats and furniture to toys and personal protective equipment —
On 5 October 2026 CEN announced the recently published Technical Specification CEN/TS 18296-2:2026 with guidance on the correct application of anthropometric and strength data of children in Europe. It accompanies the updated statistical data in CEN/TR 18296-1:2026 and helps translate measured body dimensions and strength values into practical design and assessment decisions. - NPL and BAM sign a memorandum on cooperation in cryogenic materials metrology — a proposed CryoMat benchmark platform for hydrogen, space and quantum technologies —
The UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) have signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a framework to explore closer cooperation in cryogenic materials metrology through a proposed CryoMat Benchmark Platform. NPL announced this on 5 October 2026. - Czechia: water from the Odolena Voda reservoir is drinkable again — after lead contamination, restrictions covered 12 municipalities of the Central Bohemian Region, and the operator plans to determine lead in all samples in this part of the system, 58 times a year —
On 2 October 2026 the Regional Public Health Authority of the Central Bohemian Region (KHS) announced that repeated analyses by the operator, Středočeské vodárny, had confirmed the safety of the water in all localities supplied from the Odolena Voda reservoir; on that day the water in the entire supply system was declared drinkable again. Since 24 September it could not be used for drinking or preparing food because of lead concentrations above the limit. - Carriage of dangerous goods: amendments to ADR and ADN are to enter into force on 1 January 2027 — Council Decision (EU) 2026/2233 commits the Member States to support them —
Council Decision (EU) 2026/2233 of 28 September 2026, published on 2 October, sets the Union position: agreement to the amendments to Annexes A and B of the ADR and to the Regulations annexed to the ADN adopted in the 2024–2026 biennium. According to the UN depositary notification, the ADR amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2027 unless they are rejected by 1 October 2026. - Radioactive waste and spent fuel: for return shipments the authorisation application must state the registration number of the original authorisation — Decision (EU) 2026/2209 amends the 2008 standard document —
Commission Decision (EU) 2026/2209 of 29 September 2026, published on 2 October, replaces sections A-1 and B-1 of the standard document laid down in Decision 2008/312/Euratom, i.e. the applications for authorisation of shipments of radioactive waste and spent fuel covered by Directive 2006/117/Euratom. Where the purpose is a return, the applicant enters the registration number of the authorisation of the original shipment. - PCA among the first six signatories of the EA MLA for biobanks — accreditations to ISO 20387 now mutually recognised in Europe —
On 2 October 2026 the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA) announced that the scope of its EA MLA signatory status has been extended to the accreditation of biobanks to ISO 20387. The decision was taken by the EA Multilateral Agreement Council (EA MAC) at its meeting on 30 September, at which it launched the EA MLA for biobanks. - Czechia: meters for “non-clean water” have been subject to mandatory verification valid for 5 years since 1 January 2026 — ČMI explains what applies to meters installed earlier —
On 2 October 2026 the Czech Metrology Institute (ČMI) published guidance on water meters for water other than cold drinking water and hot water. Since 1 January 2026 they have been legally controlled measuring instruments in Czechia, subject to mandatory verification valid for 5 years, and newly purchased meters must be type-approved. - Pressure equipment: 20 new references to harmonised standards, including welding and brazing procedure qualification; the previous editions leave the list on 2 April 2028 —
By Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2211 of 1 October 2026, published in the Official Journal on 2 October, the Commission added 20 references to the list of harmonised standards under Directive 2014/68/EU: for shell boilers, refrigerating systems and heat pumps, LPG equipment, cryogenic vessels, and welding and brazing. One of them, EN 12953-6:2024, was listed with a restriction. - Scissor jacks in the Trade Inspection laboratory: 11 of 15 models failed the load test under PN-EN 1494+A1:2009, 13 models were questioned in total —
On 2 October 2026 Poland’s competition and consumer protection office UOKiK published the results of a Trade Inspection check of 15 scissor jack models with a rated capacity of up to 2 tonnes, carried out from May to July 2026. Laboratory tests of strength under the declared load (clause 6.2.2 of PN-EN 1494+A1:2009) failed 11 models; the load-bearing structure, the crank or the lifting mechanism were damaged. - “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale” registered as a protected geographical indication — the specification sets total and volatile acidity, esters as ethyl acetate, colour in EBC and bitterness in EBU —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2168 of 22 September 2026, published on 1 October, enters the Belgian beer “Vlaams roodbruin bier / Flanders Red Ale” in the Union register as a PGI. The single document from the application (OJ C/2026/2612 of 7 May 2026) sets quality parameters that can be checked analytically. - Prague: the SSLS surface science station moved from JRC Karlsruhe to the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences is running — XPS, UPS and first thin films —
On 1 October 2026 the Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (FZU) reported that the core experimental capabilities of the Surface Science Laboratory Station (SSLS) are operational one year after it arrived from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) in Karlsruhe. It is the first time the JRC has transferred a major scientific instrument to an institute in an EU Member State. - Cranes: CEN warning notice on harmonised standard EN 13001-3-2:2014 — the calculated fatigue life of steel wire ropes may be overestimated; ISO 16625:2025 is an alternative until the revision —
On 1 October 2026 the Slovak Office of Standards, Metrology and Testing (ÚNMS SR) published a CEN/TC 147 warning notice on STN EN 13001-3-2:2015, i.e. EN 13001-3-2:2014. The design life of ropes determined under this standard may be overestimated, in particular for high tensile strength running ropes and small D/d ratios. - Veterinary border control from 1 October 2026: 11 new entries in the list, including prepared culture media for micro-organisms if they contain products of animal origin —
On 1 October 2026 Poland’s Chief Veterinary Inspectorate reminded that Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/551 applies from that day. Eleven headings and CN codes were added to the list of goods presented for official controls at border control posts — including culture media for micro-organisms, immunological products from blood and fertilisers, in each case only with products of animal origin. - Czechia: the National Institute of Public Health is introducing new, sensitive methods for aflatoxins; results in 2027 are expected to allow more mycotoxins in dietary exposure monitoring —
On 1 October 2026 the Czech National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) reminded that mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, are not destroyed by cooking or baking and that mould visible on the surface is only part of the contamination. Its Centre for Health, Nutrition and Food (CZVP) is introducing new, sensitive analytical methods for monitoring aflatoxins. - ČIA aligns accreditation of EU ETS verifiers with Regulation (EU) 2025/1192: aviation split into group 12a (emissions data) and 12b (non-CO₂ effects) —
On 1 October 2026 the Czech Accreditation Institute (ČIA) published change sheet 05/26 to document MPA 40-02-25 on the application of ČSN EN ISO/IEC 17029:2020 by validation and verification bodies. The new MPA 40-02-26 applies from 1 October 2026; the change brings in the requirements of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1192 and Global ACI documents. - Polish agri-food quality inspection on poultrymeat: physico-chemical tests rejected 52 of 94 lots, mainly for an exceeded water-to-protein ratio (W/RP) —
On 1 October 2026 Poland’s Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (IJHARS) published the results of poultrymeat checks at 141 producers and shops; irregularities were found at 66 of them (46.8%). Of the 94 lots tested physico-chemically, 52 (55.3%) were rejected, mainly for exceeding the maximum permitted W/RP ratio. - Salmonella in German poultry in 2025: BfR reports that EU targets for the serovars under control were met in all groups, but the share of fattening turkey flocks with S. Enteritidis rose from 0.1% to 0.5% —
On 1 October 2026 Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published its national report on the Salmonella control programme for 2025, based on the federal states’ data from food business operators’ own checks and official controls. The share of Salmonella-positive flocks rose in breeding hens, broilers and breeding and fattening turkeys, and fell in laying hens. - Czech accreditation changes flexible-scope rules: applications filed from 1 December 2026 must describe the scope with grouped items (FRA v.2), and ILAC-G8 and ILAC-G17 are replaced by Global ACI documents —
On 1 October 2026 the Czech Accreditation Institute (ČIA) published change sheets 07/26 to MPA 00-09-24 “Flexible scope of accreditation” and 04/26 to MPA 10-01-25 (application of ISO/IEC 17025), effective from that day. No comments were raised in the public consultation. - UK alert on baby sleeping bags without armholes or with a hood: nearly 50 recalls and reports since 2023, with a recommendation to sell products meeting EN 16781 —
On 1 October 2026 the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) issued Product Safety Alert PSA9 on baby sleeping bags without armholes or with a hood that are intended for unsupervised sleep in a crib or cot. The alert does not apply to sleeping bags meeting the voluntary standard BS EN 16781:2018. - Poland’s Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection bought 154 instruments for state environmental monitoring from July to September 2026: NOx, SO2, CO, O3 and BTEX analysers, PM10/PM2.5 samplers and automatic PM monitors —
On 1 October 2026 Poland’s Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection (GIOŚ) reported that under the project “Development and modernisation of equipment for air quality testing and support for air quality assessments” it bought 154 measuring instruments for the State Environmental Monitoring in the third quarter of 2026. - Polish accreditation body updates EMAS verifier accreditation programmes (DAVE-01 and DAVE-02, edition 9): an ISO 14001 audit does not replace on-site verification, new form FAVE-10 —
In Announcement No. 481 of 30 September 2026 the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA) published edition 9 of programmes DAVE-01 (EMAS environmental verifiers) and DAVE-02 (EMAS verifiers in waste management). They replace edition 8 of 17 July 2025 and apply from publication; significant changes are marked in red. - CNAS after the move to ISO/IEC 17020:2026: 10 guides and a technical report for inspection bodies apply at once, 19 field-specific application notes from 1 January 2027 —
On 30 September 2026 the China National Accreditation Service (CNAS) published two letters of 23 September (Nos. 72 and 73 of 2026) on new editions of 30 documents for inspection bodies. They follow from criterion CNAS-CI01:2026, issued on 26 June 2026 and identical to ISO/IEC 17020:2026. - SNAS: from 30 September 2026 a new edition of guideline MSA-08 on information and communication technology in conformity assessment; a physical testing laboratory cannot be a “virtual site” —
The Slovak National Accreditation Service (SNAS) issued guideline MSA-08 (edition 2), applicable from 30 September 2026. It is a translation of the mandatory document Global ACI-TECH-3-003 (M), version 1.0 of 10 July 2026, on the use of ICT for conformity assessment purposes, and replaces MSA-08 of 16 April 2025. - China: 6 mandatory and 248 recommended national standards apply from 1 October 2026, including GB 44703-2024 on optical radiation safety and GB/T 47399-2026, a luminescence method for testing the antibacterial activity of sanitary ware —
On 30 September 2026 China’s State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) announced that 6 mandatory and 248 recommended national standards take effect on 1 October. Those described include standards on production process safety, optical radiation safety and dip coating safety, and a test method standard for sanitary ware. - CEN and CENELEC set up the Battery2Life workshop: two CWAs on interoperable battery management systems (BMS) for second-life batteries from electric vehicles —
On 30 September 2026 CEN-CENELEC announced the CEN/CLC Workshop “Battery2Life — Interoperable BMS principles”, which is to prepare guidance for interoperable battery management systems in second-life applications. The kick-off meeting is planned remotely on 4 November 2026, and comments on the draft project plan are accepted until 30 October. - UK FSA and FSS publish guidance for cell-cultivated foods; a review of analytical methods for the FSA finds that no single test is sufficient to identify such products —
On 30 September 2026 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland published a further package of guidance for businesses developing cell-cultivated products — on regulatory authorisation and on the assessment of growth media components and toxicology. The FSA also points to its published review of analytical methods for such products. - CNAS issues new CNAS-CL01-A018:2026 for construction testing laboratories: from 2027 raw data may not be overwritten, new staffing requirements, transition until 31 March 2029 —
On 30 September 2026 the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) published a notice on CNAS-CL01-A018:2026, the application guidance of the accreditation criteria for testing and calibration laboratories in the field of construction engineering testing. The document applies from 1 January 2027. - Po Valley: four regions activate seasonal anti-smog measures — in Lombardy the alert level depends on the number of consecutive days with PM10 above 50 µg/m³ at reference stations —
On 30 September 2026 Italy’s national environmental protection system SNPA reported that Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto and Emilia-Romagna are activating air pollution measures for autumn and winter, when the atmosphere disperses PM10, PM2.5 and nitrogen dioxide less effectively. Decisions are based on measurements by the regional ARPA agencies and model forecasts. - China’s NIM: BIPM GNSS time transfer standard calibrated in China for BeiDou for the first time — technical parameters of the BeiDou-3 B1C and B2a signals measured —
On 29 September 2026 the Guangming Daily reported, citing China’s National Institute of Metrology (NIM), that the GNSS time transfer standard of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) had for the first time completed calibration and comparison verification of key BeiDou parameters in China. NIM published the text on its website on 9 October. - EU–US Mutual Recognition Agreement: Finland’s Etteplan Finland Oy added to the list of EU conformity assessment bodies for electromagnetic compatibility with access to the US market —
The Official Journal of the EU of 29 September 2026 published Decision No 80/2026 of the Joint Committee established under the Agreement on Mutual Recognition (MRA) between the European Community and the United States of America, of 17 August 2026. The decision adds an EU conformity assessment body to the list in the Sectoral Annex for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC). - “Aceite Valle del Tiétar” olive oil gets a protected designation of origin: acidity ≤ 0.3 %, peroxide value ≤ 10 mEq O₂/kg, ethyl esters ≤ 20 mg/kg and a fruitiness median of at least 3 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2167 of 22 September 2026, published on 29 September, registers the Spanish extra virgin olive oil “Aceite Valle del Tiétar” from the province of Ávila as a PDO — no objections were lodged. The physico-chemical and sensory requirements are set out in the single document published in OJ C/2026/2939 of 28 May 2026. - Biocides against invasive species: Slovenia fights red swamp crayfish with a pyrethrum-extract product after mechanical methods and eDNA monitoring failed, Belgium fights termites in a zoo — Decisions (EU) 2026/2140 and 2026/2141 —
Two Commission implementing decisions published on 29 September 2026 allow actions taken under Article 55(1) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 to be extended beyond the standard 180 days: for Slovenia — the use of the product Pyblast EW against red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) in the Črna mlaka watercourse until 1 September 2026; for Belgium — the hexaflumuron baits Recrute Pro and Recrute HD against the termite Reticulitermes flavipes in the Pairi Daiza zoo until 28 August 2027. - Italy may authorise the sulfuryl fluoride fumigant Vikane until 30 September 2031 to protect large immovable wooden heritage objects — Decision (EU) 2026/2142, despite the non-renewal of the substance’s approval in 2024 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2142 of 25 September 2026, published on 29 September, allows Italy under Article 55(3) of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 to authorise the biocidal product “Vikane” of product-type 8 (wood preservatives) to protect large immovable cultural heritage objects with wooden elements — churches, windmills and other historic buildings. The approval of sulfuryl fluoride for product-types 8 and 18 was not renewed by Decision (EU) 2024/2402. - EU allocates EUR 800 000 to the readiness of the UN mechanism for investigating biological weapons use — including harmonised validation of analytical laboratories, external quality assessment and proficiency testing —
By Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2176 of 28 September 2026, published on 29 September, the Union supports the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in strengthening the UN Secretary-General’s Mechanism (UNSGM). One of the four specific objectives is to harmonise the validation of analytical laboratories on the UNSGM roster and the arrangements for their cooperation with the mechanism. - DAkkS: the time from completed assessment to accreditation certificate fell from an average of 235 days in 2024 to 112–118 days; the government is preparing another revision of the DAkkS fees —
On 29 September 2026 the German accreditation body DAkkS published an interview of its managing director with the magazine QZ (of 18 August) on the DAkkS reform. According to him the time to certificate has been halved and the whole procedure can be handled in the DAkkS-PORT portal; the government’s reply to the Bundestag of 26 August announces a revision of the fee ordinance. - Protective clothing for motorcycle police officers: trade unions join the CEN working group in which a standard for professional riders may be developed, as garments certified to the highest EN 17092 protection level are designed mainly for recreational riders —
A text published by CEN on 29 September 2026 in its “On the spot” newsletter (tagged European Trade Union Confederation, ETUC) states that motorcycle clothing certified to the highest protection level under the EN 17092 series is designed primarily with recreational riders in mind. Together with EuroCOP and experts representing police motorcyclists, ETUC has joined working group CEN/TC 162/WG 9, where a new standard for professional riders may be developed. - Revision of ISO 17034 for reference material producers: the Chinese mirror group of ISO/CASCO/JWG 43 discussed the committee draft —
China’s national accreditation body CNAS reported on 29 September 2026 that the fourth technical seminar of the national mirror group of joint working group ISO/CASCO/JWG 43 took place in Beijing on 15 September. The group, formed by the ISO Committee on conformity assessment (CASCO) and ISO/TC 334 “Reference materials”, is revising ISO 17034, the requirements for reference material producers; the revision was proposed by China. - Hydrogen on track: the EN IEC 63341 series — requirements for fuel cells and hydrogen systems in rolling stock, plus performance test methods —
On 29 September 2026 CEN and CENELEC presented the EN IEC 63341 series for hydrogen fuel cells in rolling stock. Its three parts cover the fuel cell power system, the on-board hydrogen fuel system and — in Part 3, dated 2026 — performance test methods that allow systems to be measured and compared consistently. - Children’s learning towers get their own European standard: EN 18122 sets safety requirements and test methods —
On 29 September 2026 CEN reported the adoption of EN 18122 for learning towers — platforms on which a child stands at a kitchen worktop or wash basin. The standard was developed by CEN/TC 364 following a proposal from the European consumer organisation ANEC; previously no standard covered these products. - Essential oils in feed: seven EU authorisations with chromatographic methods for marker compounds —
Between 18 and 29 September 2026 the Official Journal of the EU published seven Commission implementing regulations authorising essential oils of clove, marjoram, rosemary, star anise and nutmeg, citronella oil and a lavender tincture as sensory (flavouring) feed additives for all animal species. Each specifies an analytical method — for the oils, gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) determining a phytochemical marker. - Methane emissions in the energy sector: EA and the European Commission prepare accreditation of verifiers — second workshop on 12 October —
On 29 September 2026 the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) announced a second workshop with the European Commission on Regulation (EU) 2024/1787 on the reduction of methane emissions in the energy sector. The regulation requires emission reports to be verified by verifiers accredited by national accreditation bodies (or otherwise authorised). - Radon: low-cost detectors, sensor networks and a primary radon-in-water standard — first results of the RadonNET project —
On 29 September 2026 EURAMET presented the first results of the Metrology Partnership project RadonNET (23IND07): prototypes of low-cost radon detectors, test beds for sensor networks and a set-up for producing primary radon-in-water standards at the French CEA. Poland’s Central Laboratory for Radiological Protection is among the project participants. - NIST: NCST Advisory Committee briefed on construction safety investigations — after Hurricane Maria most hospital and school buildings in Puerto Rico had minimal structural damage but extensive water intrusion through damaged building enclosures —
On 28 September 2026 the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reported on the two-day meeting of the National Construction Safety Team (NCST) Advisory Committee held on 23–24 September. NIST presented progress in its investigations of the 2021 partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South building and of the impacts of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico in 2017, as well as the implementation of recommendations from the 2011 Joplin tornado investigation. - Six biocidal active substance approvals extended to 2029 because evaluations are delayed — for hydrogen peroxide due to the assessment of the 5-batch analysis, for MIT of developmental neurotoxicity data; folpet loses product-type 7 —
Commission Implementing Decisions (EU) 2026/2119, 2026/2124, 2026/2127, 2026/2131, 2026/2134 and 2026/2151, published on 25 and 28 September 2026, extend the expiry dates of approvals because the evaluation of renewal applications has been delayed for reasons beyond the applicants’ control: hydrogen peroxide (product-types 1–5) and granulated copper (product-type 8) — to 31 July 2029, K-HDO (product-type 8) — to 30 June 2029, IPBC (product-type 13) — to 31 May 2029, 2-methylisothiazol-3(2H)-one, i.e. MIT (product-type 13), and folpet (product-type 9) — to 31 March 2029. - Biobor JF in aircraft fuel tanks: Poland may allow the biocide until 24 October 2027 — Decision (EU) 2026/1104; similar permissions for Hungary and Estonia, the application for approval of the active substance was only submitted in 2025 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1104, published on 26 May 2026, allows the Polish Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products to extend until 24 October 2027 its permission for professional users to use the product Biobor JF to remove microorganisms from aircraft fuel tanks and fuel systems. Hungary received permission until 28 October 2027 (2026/1182), Estonia — until 27 October 2027 (2026/2122, published on 28 September). - China: CNAS issues new rules for handling appeals, complaints and disputes, CNAS-R03:2026 — complaints only against already accredited bodies and ten grounds for not accepting them —
On 28 September 2026 the China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment (CNAS) published its letter of 22 September issuing CNAS-R03:2026, which replaces the 2019 edition and applies from the date of issue. The attached comparison of changes in 31 items shows a narrower scope of appeals and complaints and new rules against abuse of the right to complain. - China: draft GB/T standard giving public measurement standards persistent CSTR identifiers to be cited in calibration certificates, among other documents —
On 28 September 2026 China’s National Institute of Metrology (NIM) published for consultation the draft national standard GB/T “Specification for identification and coding of social public metrological standards information” (plan No. 20263291-T-469, committee SAC/TC 16). The draft, completed on 16 September 2026, sets out the code structure, its elements and rules of use. - Bathing waters in Campania, 2026 season: 2,285 seawater samplings and 50 non-compliant results, about 2% of all checks —
The regional environmental agency ARPA Campania summed up the 2026 bathing season in a release published by the Italian SNPA network on 28 September 2026. A total of 2,285 seawater samplings were carried out during the season — at the region’s 323 bathing waters, at 35 additional study points and in ad hoc checks; there were 50 non-compliant results, which the agency links to very low rainfall during a hot summer. - The world measurement system grows: Peru and Azerbaijan join the BIPM, the Dominican Republic and Armenia sign the CIPM MRA —
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) announced that Peru (11 August) and Azerbaijan (17 August 2026) became Member States under the Metre Convention, and that the national metrology institutes of the Dominican Republic (27 July) and Armenia (18 September) signed the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA). - PCA revises its accreditation programme for construction products notification — new rules for laboratories in system 3 —
On 28 September 2026 the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA) put out for comment draft edition 4 of document DAN-01, aligned with the new Construction Products Regulation (EU) 2024/3110. The draft sets out detailed rules on accreditation scopes for each assessment system, including testing laboratories in system 3; comments are accepted until 19 October 2026. - Ethylene oxide stays in protecting Polish collections against mould — Commission consent until 2031 —
With Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2146, published on 28 September 2026, the Commission allowed Poland to authorise biocidal products containing ethylene oxide for the protection of cultural heritage until 31 July 2031. The substance was not approved for product-type 2, and Poland showed that there is no effective alternative against mould and bacterial contamination of collections. - NIST on the Champlain Towers South investigation: potential recommendations on construction quality and building inspections —
On 28 September 2026 NIST reported on the meeting of the National Construction Safety Team Advisory Committee held on 23–24 September. Progress was presented on the investigations into the 2021 partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South building and the impacts of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico in 2017. - Lavender tincture in feed: three techniques in the specification — spectrophotometry of polyphenols, GC-FID of volatile constituents and HPLC-UV of rosmarinic acid, methyleugenol up to 0.0008 %; tincture from hybrid lavender withdrawn —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2120, published on 25 September 2026, authorises until 15 October 2036 a tincture from the dried flowers of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. (water–ethanol extraction) as a flavouring in feed for all animal species and withdraws from the market the tincture from hybrid lavender L. angustifolia × L. latifolia, for which the applicant provided no data and then withdrew the application. The maximum contents follow from the presence of methyleugenol. - L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate from poultry feather keratin as a flavouring in cat and dog food renewed until 2036: ion-exchange chromatography IEC-VIS/FLD, purity at least 98.5 % and a new recommended maximum content of 25 mg/kg on the label —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2129, published on 25 September 2026, renews until 15 October 2036 the authorisation of L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate produced by hydrolysis of poultry feather keratin as a flavouring for cats and dogs and repeals Regulation 2015/2306. The Commission set no maximum content, but the additive label must state a recommended maximum content of 25 mg/kg complete feed. The EU reference laboratory considered its earlier evaluation of the methods still valid, so no new report was needed. - EFSA cannot establish the safety of spray-dried house cricket powder: MOAH above 1 mg/kg, high Bacillus cereus counts and diverging chitin results from different methods —
On 25 September 2026 EFSA published the NDA Panel’s opinion on spray-dried house cricket (Acheta domesticus) powder notified as a novel food. The Panel concluded that the safety of the product under the proposed uses cannot be established, pointing among other things to mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons, phthalates and microbiological quality. - DAkkS and BSI extend their cooperation to the Cyber Resilience Act: bodies assessing product cybersecurity in Germany need DAkkS accreditation and BSI notification —
On 24 September 2026 the German accreditation body DAkkS and the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) renewed and extended their administrative agreement. Besides the Cybersecurity Act (CSA), it now covers the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) and may cover further EU regulations. - Slovakia: SNAS issues guideline MSA-09 — criteria for accreditation bodies to evaluate conformity assessment schemes and scheme owners (a Global ACI document) —
The Slovak National Accreditation Service (SNAS) has issued methodological guideline MSA-09, effective from 25 September 2026. It is a translation of Global ACI-TECH-3-019 (M), version 1.0 of 10 July 2026, “Criteria for Evaluation of Conformity Assessment Schemes (CASs) and Scheme Owners (SOs)”. - Czechia: from 1 November 2026 accreditation of bodies certifying persons is granted and extended only against ISO/IEC 17024:2026; existing accreditation certificates remain valid until 31 March 2029 —
In a letter of 25 September 2026 the Czech Accreditation Institute (ČIA) announced that from 1 November it will accept applications for the assessment of bodies certifying persons against the new edition ČSN EN ISO/IEC 17024:2026, and that from that day granting and extending accreditation will be carried out only against this edition. ČIA issued an analogous letter for inspection bodies and ISO/IEC 17020:2026 on the same day. - PFAS: five recommendations after the BfR conference — including more sensitive analytical methods and use of non-target data —
On 25 September 2026 the BfR announced that the conclusions of its international PFAS conference (Berlin, October 2025) have been published in Archives of Toxicology. Participants — about 200 experts from 18 countries — formulated five recommendations for the health risk assessment of this group of more than 21,000 substances. - Cots and pacifier holders in the Trade Inspection laboratory: 7 of 12 cots with defects —
Poland’s Trade Inspection tested 12 models of cots against PN-EN 716 and 15 models of soothers and pacifier holders against PN-EN 1400 and PN-EN 12586 in the laboratory. 7 cots were rejected, 4 of them with significant defects, as were 2 of 10 holders; all 5 soothers passed. - Three GMO decisions: two soybeans and a maize — with PCR methods and reference materials —
The Official Journal of 25 September 2026 carried decisions of 23 September authorising soybean MON 94313 and soybean GMB151 × DAS-44406-6 and renewing the authorisation of maize MON 87460. Each specifies a quantitative PCR detection method validated by the EU reference laboratory and the reference materials. - Marjoram oil in feed: two markers — 4-terpinenol and α-terpineol determined by GC-FID, estragole at most 0.29 %, myristicin at most 0.001 % and a single maximum content of 10 mg/kg for all species —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2110, published on 24 September 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 14 October 2036 the essential oil from the dried leaves of Origanum majorana L. as a flavouring in feed for all animal species, with a maximum content of 10 mg/kg complete feed. The limit follows from the presence of estragole of the p-allylalkoxybenzene group; mixing of volatile fractions is allowed to meet the specification. Use in water for drinking was not authorised. - Vitamin K3 in feed for another 10 years: Regulation (EU) 2026/2115 renews the authorisation of two forms of menadione, with a chromium limit and methods of analysis — spectrophotometry at 635 nm, HPLC and AAS —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2115 of 23 September 2026, published on 24 September, renews until 14 October 2036 the authorisation of menadione sodium bisulphite (3a710) and menadione nicotinamide bisulphite (3a711) as nutritional additives for all animal species. It is based on EFSA’s opinion of 19 November 2025: the additives remain safe for animals, consumers and the environment, but user exposure by any route is considered a risk to be minimised. - Euro 7 in whole-vehicle type approval: four new items — low-temperature range, electrified vehicle system power, battery durability and brake particles —
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1753, published on 24 September 2026, adds four Euro 7 items for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (M1 and N1) to Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/858: the laboratory low-temperature test of electric vehicle range, determination of the system power of electrified vehicles, in-vehicle battery durability and brake particle emissions. The items were also added to the lists for special purpose vehicles. - EU report on agri-food fraud suspicions for August 2026: 165 suspicions in 665 iRASFF notifications, 45 of them in dietetic foods, food supplements and fortified foods —
On 24 September 2026 the European Commission published its monthly report on agri-food fraud suspicions for August 2026. From 665 iRASFF notifications, 165 non-compliances with fraud suspicions were retrieved; they are not confirmed frauds but signals that trigger investigations by the competent authorities. - Legal metrology enforcement in Great Britain, 2025–2026: 48,616 inspections of measuring instruments, 29% fewer than a year earlier, and 740 inspectors —
On 24 September 2026 the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published the report on the activity of Local Weights and Measures Authorities in Great Britain — England, Scotland and Wales — for 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. All 188 requested returns were received; 48,616 inspections were carried out, compared with 68,904 a year earlier. - Packaged bakery products under IJHARS control: physico-chemical irregularities in 31.9% of batches, labelling errors in 42.8% —
On 24 September 2026 Poland’s Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (IJHARS) published the results of a nationwide check of packaged bakery products with a longer best-before date — including hot-dog buns, toast bread, pinsa, pita and tortillas. Irregularities were found at 48 of the 80 producers and shops inspected (60.0%). - Jablonec nad Nisou: 24-hour air screening with mobile systems at six sites — no short-term limit values exceeded, benzo[a]pyrene 0.30–0.58 ng/m³ —
On 24 September 2026 the Czech National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) published the results of 24-hour air pollution measurements with mobile systems in Jablonec nad Nisou, carried out on 21–22 October 2025. The short-term limit values for SO₂, NO₂, CO, O₃ and PM10 were not exceeded; the WHO recommendations were exceeded for PM10 and reached for PM2.5. - Asbestos in play sand: BfR summarises European testing — asbestos found in 40 of 106 products in the Netherlands —
On 24 September 2026 the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) updated its communication on asbestos in play and craft sand. It compiles test results from several countries and endorses the Dutch and Belgian risk assessments: under worst-case assumptions — a child playing regularly for years with the same heavily contaminated free-flowing sand — a health risk may exist. - NIST: textile research grade test material RGTM 10279 for checking fibre identification methods — made for clothing sorters, it has also drawn the interest of forensic fibre examiners —
On 23 September 2026 NIST wrote that the test material RGTM 10279 “Textiles for Feedstock Identification”, made for the textile recycling industry, has caught the attention of the forensic community; the researchers are working with investigative agencies that want to see whether it can serve as a training tool. The study with this material, involving labs and manufacturers, ran until 30 September 2026. - EA peer evaluation of DAkkS: requirements met in all accreditation activities, with biobanks evaluated for the first time; findings on planning assessments within the accreditation cycle —
On 23 September 2026 DAkkS reported that it had completed the periodic on-site evaluation by the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA). From 14 to 18 September 14 evaluators from 13 European accreditation bodies checked compliance with Regulation (EC) No 765/2008 and ISO/IEC 17011; the overall result is positive. - DAkkS becomes a full member of Global ACI — German accreditation joins the arrangement of the ILAC and IAF successor —
On 23 September 2026 Global ACI announced that Germany’s national accreditation body DAkkS has joined it as a Full Member and signatory of the Global ACI Multilateral Recognition Arrangement (MRA). Global ACI, established on 1 January 2026, is the successor to ILAC and IAF. - China: draft accreditation guidance for safety inspection of large battery energy storage systems —
On 23 September 2026 China’s accreditation body CNAS released for consultation a draft guide for accrediting inspection bodies that assess the safety of large battery energy storage systems. It concerns on-site inspection during installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance; comments are accepted until 11 October 2026. - China: CNAS revises the rules for describing the accreditation scope of textile laboratories —
On 23 September 2026 CNAS released for consultation a draft new edition of document CNAS-EL-07 on describing accreditation scopes in textile testing. The changes cover, among others, technical textiles and how fibre content in product standards is expressed; comments are due by 23 October 2026. - CVUA Stuttgart: acrylamide in all 26 liquorice samples tested — from 10 to 693 µg/kg, 138 µg/kg on average, roughly the level the office finds in French fries on average —
On 22 September 2026 the Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Office Stuttgart (CVUA Stuttgart) described the results of testing 26 liquorice samples for acrylamide in 2026. Liquorice is neither baked, roasted nor fried, but earlier tests on dried fruit showed that acrylamide can also occur in foods dried at temperatures below 100 °C with high water loss. - Bathing waters in the Central Bohemian Region in the 2026 season: 44 monitored sites, a bathing ban in Ostrá after cyanobacteria and chlorophyll rose to grade 5 — and not a single case of microbiological pollution or cercariae —
On 22 September 2026 the Regional Public Health Authority of the Central Bohemian Region (KHS) published its assessment of the bathing season. Water quality at natural bathing sites was monitored according to the approved monitoring calendar from mid-May to the end of August 2026; throughout the season the weather was markedly warmer and sunnier than average, which according to KHS had no fundamental effect on water quality. - Ifremer: four lactic acid bacteria strains from seafood limit the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in smoked salmon, gravlax and cooked shrimp; industrial validation expected in 2027 —
In a text for the Fête de la science published on 22 September 2026, the French marine research institute Ifremer described its biopreservation method: selected lactic acid bacteria added in large numbers to the product inhibit pathogenic and spoilage bacteria. Losses and waste of seafood are estimated at 30% of the total volume caught. - China: international peer review of NIM in time and frequency and in thermometry —
On 22 September 2026 China’s accreditation body CNAS reported that, together with the Asia Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP), it had carried out the annual international peer review of the National Institute of Metrology (NIM). The review covered calibration and measurement capabilities (CMCs) in time and frequency and in thermometry. - ADAC winter tyre test 2026: 9 of 32 models rated deficient —
On 22 September 2026 ADAC published the results of its test of 32 winter tyres in sizes 185/65 R15 and 225/50 R17, run together with partner clubs. 6 tyres were rated good and 9 deficient because of dangerously weak results in at least one driving category. - A subsea telecoms cable as a tsunami sensor — interferometry from NPL —
On 22 September 2026 the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) reported that ultra-stable optical interferometry on a fibre of the Southern Cross NEXT cable provides data useful for early tsunami warning in the South West Pacific. The method uses an existing cable and needs no new seafloor installations. - Recycled content in bottles — new calculation and verification rules —
Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1425 sets a common methodology for calculating, verifying and reporting recycled plastic content in single-use beverage bottles. Verification is done by an accredited conformity assessment body. - Star anise oil in feed: trans-anethole 85–93 % determined by GC-FID according to ISO 11016, estragole up to 6 %, safrole at most 0.01 % and maximum contents from 0.6 to 83.8 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2090, published on 21 September 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 11 October 2036 the essential oil from the dried fruit of Illicium verum Hook.f. (with or without leaves) as a flavouring in feed for all animal species. The maximum contents follow from the presence of estragole, a genotoxic and carcinogenic compound of the p-allylalkoxybenzene group. Use in water for drinking was not authorised. - Citronella oil (Cymbopogon nardus) in feed: citronellal marker 3–6 % determined by GC-FID according to ISO 3849, methyleugenol at most 1 % and maximum contents from 2 to 30 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2128, published on 21 September 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 11 October 2036 the essential oil from the leaves of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle as a flavouring in feed for all animal species. The Commission justifies the maximum contents by the presence of methyleugenol, a substance of the p-allylalkoxybenzene group. Use in water for drinking was not authorised. - Diclazuril (Clinacox 0.5 %) renewed until 2036 — the environmental assessment was closed by new soil studies under OECD 106 and 307: mean DT50 of 247 days at 20 °C, Koc of 8356 l/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2086 of 18 September 2026, published on 21 September, renews until 11 October 2036 the authorisation of the coccidiostat Clinacox 0.5 % (Elanco GmbH) for chickens for fattening and chickens reared for laying (up to 16 weeks) — 1 mg diclazuril/kg feed. In 2024 EFSA could not assess safety for the environment because of data gaps; a new 2026 opinion found no risk. - Xylanase from Bacillus subtilis LMG S-15136 (Belfeed) renewed and extended to all pigs — EFSA flags the microbial contamination of the solid form —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2130 of 18 September 2026, published on 21 September, renews until 11 October 2036 the authorisation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (Puratos NV) as a digestibility enhancer for poultry and pigs and extends it to all porcine species; the minimum content is 10 IU/kg feed. It repeals four earlier regulations: 2017/211, 2020/1377, 2021/1413 and 2026/356. - L-isoleucine from Corynebacterium glutamicum CCTCC M 2022764 authorised for all animals, also in water for drinking despite EFSA’s concerns — determined by ion-exchange chromatography with post-column derivatisation —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2087 of 18 September 2026, published on 21 September, authorises until 11 October 2036 L-isoleucine (≥ 90 % on a dry matter basis) produced by fermentation with a non-genetically modified strain. EFSA had concerns about its use in water for drinking (nutritional imbalance, hygiene); the Commission considered that feed business operators are to address the hygiene risks under the requirements of Regulation (EC) No 183/2005. - Tocopherols as feed antioxidants until 2036: Regulation (EU) 2026/2084 links vegetable oil extracts to zearalenone guidance values, and EFSA points to high results from one producer —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2084 of 18 September 2026, published on 21 September, renews until 11 October 2036 the authorisation of tocopherol extracts from vegetable oils (1b306i), tocopherol-rich (delta-rich) extracts from vegetable oils (1b306ii) and alpha-tocopherol (1b307) as technological additives — antioxidants — for all animal species, with no minimum or maximum content. It repeals Regulation (EU) 2015/1152. - Clinoptilolite of volcanic origin authorised as a feed additive: Regulation (EU) 2026/2091 names XRD and XRF for characterisation, TEM for confirming absence of asbestos and a limit of 20,000 mg/kg feed —
By Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2091 of 18 September 2026, published on 21 September, the Commission authorised clinoptilolite of volcanic origin (technological additive, anticaking agent, No 1i567) for poultry for fattening and reared poultry, ornamental birds, piglets and pigs for fattening. The authorisation is valid until 11 October 2036. - ASTM B1033: new specification for the ZAC75 zinc–aluminium–copper die-casting alloy —
ASTM International has approved standard B1033-26, which sets chemical composition requirements for ZAC75 alloy ingots intended for die casting. According to ASTM the alloy offers higher strength, hardness and creep resistance than conventional zinc die-casting alloys. - EU Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform launched —
On 21 September 2026 in Brussels the European Commission launched the Water Resilience Stakeholder Platform. Three priorities: digitalisation and water efficiency, accelerating water reuse and removing implementation barriers. - Minimum performance standards for data centres — consultation opened —
On 21 September 2026 the European Commission opened a twelve-week consultation on minimum performance standards for data centres. Feedback is accepted until 14 December 2026, with a legislative proposal announced for Q2 2027. - CEN opens a workshop on ammonia bunkering for vessels —
On 21 September 2026 CEN announced the workshop “Guidance for refuelling and bunkering of ammonia fuelled maritime and inland waterway vessels”. The deliverable is a CEN Workshop Agreement; the kick-off is set for 27 October 2026. - Nutmeg oil in feed: α-pinene marker determined by GC-FID according to ISO 3215, safrole up to 2.3 % and classification as a category 1B carcinogen, maximum contents from 0.2 to 10 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2076, published on 18 September 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 8 October 2036 the essential oil from the seeds of Myristica fragrans Houtt. as a flavouring in feed for all animal species. The Commission set maximum contents because the oil contains myristicin, safrole, elemicin and methyleugenol — substances of the p-allylalkoxybenzene group. Use in water for drinking was not authorised, as Regulation 1831/2003 does not provide for it for flavourings. - Interban — narasin with diclazuril in one coccidiostat for chickens: 50 + 1 mg/kg feed, determination by HPLC with post-column derivatisation or LC-MS/MS (EN 17299), narasin MRL 50 µg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2061 of 17 September 2026, published on 18 September, authorises until 8 October 2036 the preparation Interban (Elanco GmbH) for chickens for fattening and chickens reared for laying: 50 mg narasin and 1 mg diclazuril per kg of complete feed. Narasin is produced by Streptomyces strain NRRL B-67771; EFSA considered the MRLs in force for both substances protective for consumers with a zero-day withdrawal period. - Benzoic acid with thymol, eugenol and piperine (CRINA Poultry Plus) renewed and extended to all poultry — specifications widened because two batches exceeded the previous benzoic acid limit —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2077 of 17 September 2026, published on 18 September, renews until 8 October 2036 the authorisation of the preparation (DSM Nutritional Products) and extends it to all poultry for fattening and reared for laying or breeding; the dose is 300 mg/kg feed. Benzoic acid is now 80–85 % (previously 80–83 %), thymol 1–2 % (previously 1–1.9 %). - Bacillus subtilis DSM 33862 with Lentilactobacillus buchneri as an acidity regulator for moist plant feed — counts on TSA (EN 15784) and MRS agar (EN 15787), identification by sequencing or PFGE (CEN/TS 17697) —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2074 of 17 September 2026, published on 18 September, authorises until 8 October 2036 a preparation of two strains for all animal species — only in chopped feed materials of plant origin with 64–87 % moisture, at a minimum of 1 × 10⁸ CFU/kg. The preparation contains at least 3.6 × 10¹¹ CFU/g in a 1:4 ratio. - Alpha-galactosidase with xylanase (Capsozyme SB Plus) for weaned piglets — 20 GALU and 25 AXC per kg feed, enzyme activities measured by colorimetric methods —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2079 of 17 September 2026, published on 18 September, authorises until 8 October 2036 an enzyme preparation from Aspergillus tubingensis ATCC SD 6740 and Trichoderma orientale CBS 139997 (Industrial Técnica Pecuaria) as a digestibility enhancer for weaned piglets. The additive was already authorised for poultry; the preparation has at least 50 AXC and 40 GALU per gram. - France: in mid-September 2026, 81% of groundwater levels were falling and 62% of observation points were below the monthly normal (BRGM) —
On 18 September 2026 the French geological survey BRGM published the groundwater situation as of 15 September (map of 17 September, data from the national ADES database). The overall situation has stabilised, but highly reactive aquifers need attention if the lack of effective rainfall persists. - Perlite authorised as an anticaking feed additive: characterisation by XRD and XRF, nickel up to 2.48 mg/kg, respirable crystalline silica up to 1%, free of asbestos —
By Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2072 of 17 September 2026, published on 18 September, the Commission authorised expanded perlite as an anticaking agent in feed for poultry for fattening and reared for laying or breeding, ornamental birds, piglets and pigs for fattening, up to 20 000 mg/kg of complete feed. The authorisation is valid until 8 October 2036. - DAkkS on the transition to ISO 14001:2026: accredited certification bodies by 30 April 2027, organisations’ certificates by 30 April 2029 —
On 18 September 2026 the German accreditation body DAkkS announced its transition plan for DIN EN ISO 14001:2026, published in April 2026. DAkkS is already accepting applications and transition documentation; the deadlines follow the mandatory document Global ACI-TECH-3-TR 2029-04-30 (M). - Choline chloride in feed: the 2-chloroethanol limit now counted together with ethylene oxide —
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2070 corrects the authorisation of choline chloride as a feed additive. Instead of a limit of 30 mg/kg for 2-chloroethanol, a maximum of 40 mg/kg for the sum of ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol expressed as ethylene oxide applies — retroactively from 16 February 2026. - Draft list of countries authorised to import EU waste —
On 18 September 2026 the European Commission published a draft list of non-OECD countries allowed to receive certain non-hazardous waste after May 2027. The consultation ran until 16 October 2026. - Four thousand surface water monitoring points in Poland —
On World Water Monitoring Day the Polish Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection recalled that 4,240 surface water bodies were designated for the 2022–2027 cycle, around 4,000 of them covered by the monitoring programme. - New technical conditions for railway structures in Poland —
The regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure of 17 September 2026 (Journal of Laws 2026 item 1225) sets the technical conditions for railway structures and their siting. It applies to design, construction and reconstruction. - INRiM: the Stupinigi climatological station joins the WMO worldwide reference measurement network under GCOS — according to INRiM only 20 stations have been selected so far —
On 17 September 2026 the Italian metrology institute INRiM announced that the station it runs in the Stupinigi nature park was admitted on 14 September to the worldwide reference measurement network coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) under GCOS. Admission followed almost two years of application and evaluation. - BRGM: the AQUIMER geophysical survey maps fresh groundwater beneath the seabed off the Roussillon coast — electrical resistivity measurements up to 15 km offshore —
Since 17 September 2026, teams coordinated by the French geological survey BRGM have been running a geophysical survey on the Roussillon coast as part of the AQUIMER project funded by the French research agency ANR. The aim is to locate the transition zone between fresh and salt water deep in the aquifer — under land and under the sea — and to anticipate how it will change. - NIST: lead-containing ink makes a carbonised scroll readable in X-ray tomography — a laboratory model of a Herculaneum scroll and a handheld XRF analyser for pre-screening scrolls —
On 17 September 2026 NIST described a study published the day before in PLOS ONE: researchers made a laboratory model of a carbonised papyrus scroll written with ink containing a lead salt and read it by virtually unrolling the image from a laboratory-grade X-ray tomography system. A handheld XRF device detected lead in the ink even after carbonisation. - NPL: does vicarious calibration of satellite ocean colour measurements give the same results from different platforms — comparing MarONet and the MOBY buoy —
On 17 September 2026 an engineer from the Optical Radiometric Metrology team at the UK’s NPL described research on system vicarious calibration (SVC) of satellite ocean colour measurements. The work checks whether adjustment factors derived from different in situ platforms are consistent and how differences affect products such as chlorophyll concentration. - Polish agri-food quality inspection on vegetable oils: irregularities at 44.3% of 88 entities checked, physico-chemical parameters rejected in 18.5% of lots, stigmastadienes in 3 lots of “cold-pressed” oils —
On 17 September 2026 Poland’s Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (IJHARS) published the results of checks on vegetable oils other than olive oil, with a focus on cold-pressed oils. 88 producers and shops were checked; sensory characteristics raised no objections, but laboratory tests challenged the declared fatty acid composition. - RASFF 2025: more than 5,300 original notifications across the system, over 700 of them from Germany — with cereulide in infant formula among the most important events —
On 17 September 2026 Germany’s Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) presented the 2025 figures of the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF): more than 5,300 original notifications and around 18,000 follow-ups were transmitted across the system. BVL regards the contamination of infant formula with cereulide as one of the most important events of recent years. - Seine estuary: storms and floods temporarily increase water contamination — results of the TARANIS project (227 pesticides and 92 pharmaceuticals analysed in water) —
On 17 September 2026 the French marine research institute Ifremer presented the results of the TARANIS project, carried out with the University of Reims under the Seine-Aval programme. In 10 field campaigns in 2023–2024, samples were taken during storms and floods; intense weather events increase the transfer of contaminants from the catchment to the Seine and its estuary, with measurable effects on water quality and aquatic organisms. - PKN: list of harmonised Polish Standards as at 30 June 2026 —
The notice of the President of the Polish Committee for Standardization (PKN) of 15 July 2026 appeared in Monitor Polski on 17 September 2026. Its 21 annexes list the Polish Standards that adopt harmonised European standards under 21 directives — from electromagnetic compatibility and radio equipment to measuring instruments and toys. - Sustainable aviation fuel: 2.8% share in 2025 against a 2% obligation —
On 17 September 2026 EASA published its annual report on the implementation of the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation. EU airports supplied 39.3 million tonnes of aviation fuel in 2025, including 1.1 million tonnes of SAF. - Nearly 8,000 bird flu outbreaks in the season — EFSA issues biosecurity materials —
On 17 September 2026 EFSA and the European Commission released the #NoBirdFlu toolkit for farmers and veterinarians. Between October 2025 and June 2026 nearly 8,000 outbreaks were detected in Europe. - New list of commodities in the deforestation-free products rules —
Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/2102 amends the list of relevant commodities and products. Soluble coffee and some palm oil derivatives come into scope, cattle hides and retreaded tyres drop out. - BAM coordinates the HYDRO-QP project: how hydrogen and impurities from recycled steel, such as tin and copper, affect high-strength Q&P steels for vehicle components — EUR 1.8 million from the RFCS, until February 2030 —
On 16 September 2026 Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) announced the start of the European research project HYDRO-QP, which it coordinates. Researchers from industry and academia in four countries will examine how hydrogen and impurities introduced through recycling affect the performance of modern high-strength steels — and how automotive steels can be produced in a more climate-friendly way without compromising safety and reliability. - FDA updates the BAM method for Cronobacter (September 2026 edition): secondary enrichment in CSB broth for powdered infant formula, a procedure for environmental samples and a new qPCR probe —
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published the September 2026 edition of Chapter 29 of the Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) — the method for the detection and isolation of Cronobacter spp. in powdered infant formula (PIF) and environmental samples. The method page is current as of 16 September 2026; the previous edition of the chapter dated from November 2023. - From 16 September 2026 a new definition of adulterated agri-food products and a food fraud offence in Poland; GIJHARS laboratories also test for courts and prosecutors —
On 16 September 2026 Poland’s Agricultural and Food Quality Inspection (IJHARS) described the amendment to the Act on the commercial quality of agri-food products (Act of 17 July 2026, Journal of Laws 2026 item 1154), in force from that day. It changes the definition of an adulterated product, introduces a penalty for knowingly placing it on the market and regulates tests in the Chief Inspectorate’s laboratories at the request of other institutions. - Czechia: defects in 45 of 100 inspected types of reflective vests, and in laboratory tests none of the three children’s vests met the standard —
On 16 September 2026 the Czech Trade Inspection Authority (ČOI) published the results of its checks of reflective vests for adults and children as personal protective equipment. In 91 inspections it examined 100 product types and found deficiencies in 45; 7 samples were tested by an accredited laboratory. - FLEX mission: NPL responsible for SI-traceable validation of vegetation measurements from orbit —
On 16 September 2026 the UK’s National Physical Laboratory reported that it validates the surface reflectance and at-surface irradiance products of the European Space Agency’s FLEX mission. The satellite was launched on 15 September on a Vega-C rocket together with Sentinel-3C. - EN 18060 on electric vehicle batteries published as a harmonised standard —
With Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2048 the Commission published the reference of EN 18060:2025 on the performance and durability of electric vehicle modules and batteries. From the publication date, 16 September 2026, compliance gives a presumption of conformity with the relevant requirements of Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542. - ISO 9001:2026 published — three years to transition —
On 16 September 2026 ISO announced the sixth edition of the quality management system standard. Certificates to ISO 9001:2015 cease to be valid after 30 September 2029. - Sport helmets in EU tests: 79% passed, paperwork much worse —
A joint market surveillance campaign covered 100 helmets — 70 for cycling, skateboarding and roller-skating, 30 for skiing and snowboarding. 79% passed the laboratory tests, but 65% failed the formal checks of markings and documentation. - Professional safety helmets: 46 of 65 samples met the requirements —
An EU test campaign covered 65 professional helmets bought in eight Member States. 46 samples (71%) met the requirements, with shock absorption the most frequent cause of failure. - Inhibited fertilisers: 14 of 21 samples with declaration failures —
A market surveillance campaign tested 21 fertilisers from the markets of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Poland and Slovenia. Fourteen samples either lacked the required label information or declared inhibitor content different from the actual one. - Sunscreens: SPF testing moves from volunteers to plates —
The European Commission encourages moving away from SPF testing on volunteers towards the in vitro method of EN ISO 23675:2024. Under the JACOP campaign 74 products from 11 countries were tested and the two methods correlated closely. - Nitrogen monoxide limit in underground mining: derogation extended to 2029 —
The regulation of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy of 11 September 2026 (Journal of Laws 2026 item 1211) extends to 21 August 2029 the separate occupational limit values for nitrogen monoxide in underground mining and tunnelling. - Pellets, briquettes and straw under quality control — a mandatory test certificate —
On 15 September 2026 the Polish government adopted a bill extending the fuel quality monitoring system to solid biofuels. Whoever places them on the market will have to test the fuel and issue a quality certificate. - INiG-PIB in the SHIMMER project: existing leak detection methods can be used effectively in networks carrying natural gas–hydrogen mixtures, especially with up to 20% hydrogen — portable detectors showed the highest overall effectiveness, complemented by OGI cameras and TDLAS lasers —
On 14 September 2026 the Oil and Gas Institute – National Research Institute (INiG-PIB) published conclusions from laboratory tests of leak detection methods for natural gas–hydrogen mixtures (NG-H₂), carried out in the European SHIMMER project. According to the Institute, injecting hydrogen into the existing gas network poses new challenges for the tightness of the infrastructure; detailed results are given in the project report D3.5. - Disinfecting laboratories with vaporised hydrogen peroxide: Union authorisation for OXTERIL 350 VHP — 1,092 mg/m³ (780 ppm) for at least 4 hours, microbiological validation and re-entry only below 1.25 mg/m³ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2042, published on 14 September 2026, grants Evonik Operations GmbH Union authorisation EU-0035928-0000 for the product OXTERIL 350 VHP (35% hydrogen peroxide) for disinfecting dry surfaces by vaporisation — in product-type 2 in laboratories and hospital rooms, among others, and in product-type 4 in food and feed areas. The authorisation applies from 4 October 2026 to 31 October 2033. - Czech Trade Inspection: all 99 fuel samples compliant in August; from January to August 2026 3 of 856 failed — petrol vapour pressure and diesel flash point —
On 14 September 2026 the Czech Trade Inspection (ČOI) published fuel quality monitoring results. In August it took 99 samples at filling stations and all met the quality requirements; in the January–August summary 3 of 856 samples (0.4%) failed. - Toys: harmonised standards on formamide in foams and chlorinated flame retardants —
Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2032 adds to the list of harmonised standards for toys the new EN 71-15:2025 (formamide in foam toy materials) and EN 71-16:2025 (certain chlorinated phosphorus flame retardants: TCEP, TCPP, TDCP), as well as the revised EN 71-4:2020+A1:2025. - Euro NCAP: trailer rear underrun guards fail in crash tests —
On 14 September 2026 Euro NCAP called on truck and trailer manufacturers to improve rear underrun protection voluntarily rather than wait for regulatory change. The call rests on tests in which guards built to UN ECE Regulation No 58.03 failed to stop a car at 56 km/h. - Molybdenum EDTA chelate authorised for honeybees: 8 mg per hive per feeding, not with honey supers in place and not in the two months before honey harvest — molybdenum determined by ICP-AES and ICP-MS —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2027 of 10 September 2026, published on 11 September, authorises until 1 October 2036 molybdenum EDTA chelate (Oligofeed SAS) as a zootechnical additive — a physiological condition stabiliser for honeybees improving winter survival. The applicant withdrew the application for bumblebees and asked for a change from the nutritional category: EFSA found no evidence of molybdenum deficiency in honeybee diets but concluded that the additive has the potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical one. - Mecoprop-P renewed until 30 September 2033 as a candidate for substitution; EFSA pointed to the lack of enantioselective methods for residue monitoring —
By Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2025 of 10 September 2026, published on 11 September, the Commission renewed the approval of the herbicide mecoprop-P for 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2033. The substance is persistent in fresh water (half-life over 40 days) and toxic to freshwater organisms (long-term NOEC below 0.01 mg/l). - Price list for tests in the GIJHARS laboratories: 224 items, from PLN 35 to PLN 2,283 —
On 11 September 2026 Poland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development sent for consultation a draft regulation on the costs of tests carried out in the laboratories of the Chief Inspectorate of Agricultural and Food Quality (GIJHARS) at the request of public bodies. The annex prices 224 tests — from visual checks to isotope analyses and pesticide residues. - ASTM D6400-26: stricter biodegradation requirements for compostable plastics —
ASTM International has revised standard D6400 on labelling plastics designed to be aerobically composted in municipal or industrial facilities. The allowance for incidental constituents fell from 5 % to 3 %, and the requirement for separate biodegradation testing now covers more constituents. - Nearly one in four lots of children’s clothing tested in the laboratory had a different composition from the label —
In the first half of 2026 Poland’s Trade Inspection checked 949 lots of clothing for children up to 168 cm tall. The UOKiK laboratory in Łódź tested 113 lots — in 27 the actual fibre composition differed from the declared one. - Cheeses under IJHARS control: 19 of 148 batches rejected in laboratory tests, cow DNA found in a “sheep and goat” cheese —
On 10 September 2026 IJHARS published the results of a check of cheeses in 60 shops — irregularities were found in 46.7% of them. Samples from 148 batches were taken for laboratory testing and 19 of them (12.8%) were rejected, mainly because salt, fat and protein contents did not match the declaration. - NIST quantum sensors measure X-rays from uranium, neptunium and plutonium — more accurate assessment of nuclear material —
On 10 September 2026 NIST reported that a team including its researchers measured X-ray emissions from plutonium, uranium and neptunium with unprecedented accuracy in the energy range where they overlap with the elements’ gamma-ray emissions. This allows the X-ray background to be filtered out when nuclear material is assessed from gamma-ray spectra. - BfR: guideline on assessing NIAS in food contact materials — at least GC-MS and LC-MS —
On 10 September 2026 the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published a guideline on the risk assessment of non-intentionally added substances (NIAS) in food contact materials. It sets out requirements for analytical screening, quantification and structure elucidation of migrating substances. - EFSA: aspartame-acesulfame salt (E 962) is safe, but its specifications need updating —
On 10 September 2026 EFSA announced the outcome of its re-evaluation of the sweetener E 962: current uses and use levels raise no safety concerns. The experts nevertheless recommend updating the EU specifications for E 962 and reviewing the arsenic and lead limits in the specifications for aspartame (E 951). - EPA screens drinking water for more than a thousand contaminants at once —
In September 2026 the EPA announced a drinking water study using non-targeted analysis (NTA), which finds substances without deciding in advance what to look for. - Lithium isotopes as a “fingerprint” of battery ageing: BAM measured the separation of lithium-6 and lithium-7 in electrodes by depth-resolved mass spectrometry —
On 9 September 2026 Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) described a method for diagnosing the ageing of lithium-ion cells from the distribution of the isotopes lithium-6 and lithium-7 in the electrodes. In cycled cells lithium-6 accumulates at the anode while the cathode becomes enriched in lithium-7; the isotopic traces are linked to the loss of capacity. - GUM puts a quantum Hall resistance standard into operation —
The DC Electrical Quantities Laboratory team at Poland’s Central Office of Measures (GUM) has put a new quantum Hall resistance (QHR) system into operation. It uses the quantum Hall effect, which allows the unit of resistance to be realised from fundamental constants, independently of classical artefact standards. - Pyraclostrobin and phosphine stay on the market — approvals renewed —
The Commission renewed the approval of two active substances: phosphine by Regulation 2026/1968 and pyraclostrobin by Regulation 2026/1976. - EU CASP action: 17 of 25 child bicycle seats failed at least one requirement of EN 14344:2022 in laboratory tests —
On 8 September 2026 the Czech Trade Inspection (ČOI) published the results of the EU CASP action on child bicycle seats for children weighing 9 to 22 kg. Twelve market surveillance authorities from 9 countries took part; 25 of the 28 models sampled were tested by an accredited laboratory in Nuremberg to EN 14344:2022. - Guidance for emissions verifiers under the carbon border mechanism —
The European Commission has issued guidance on verification and accreditation under the CBAM, addressed to verifiers and national accreditation bodies. - BfR updates its answers on bisphenol A: the ban in food contact materials is checked with a method detecting 1 µg/kg, a draft monitoring recommendation calls for tracing the source above 10 µg/kg in food —
On 7 September 2026 Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published a thoroughly revised set of questions and answers on bisphenol A (BPA) in everyday products, replacing the version of 13 July 2023. It covers, among other things, the ban under Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, analytical requirements and planned monitoring. - Machinery: 67 new and amended harmonised standards, including EN ISO 3744:2026 for determining sound power — the list under Directive 2006/42/EC ceases to apply on 20 January 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2015, published on 7 September 2026, adds to the list of harmonised standards under the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC the references of 67 standards — new ones or with amendments and corrections — including the acoustics standard EN ISO 3744:2026, machinery safety standards and parts of the EN IEC 62841 series for power tools. Applying them gives a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements from the date of publication. - TFA in drinking water: Czech reference centre recommends a guideline value of 10 µg/l and a maximum limit of 20 µg/l —
On 7 September 2026 the National Reference Centre for drinking water at the Czech National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ) published an updated recommendation on trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in drinking water. Following EFSA’s assessment of July 2026, it lowered the proposed maximum limit from 25 to 20 µg/l. - Radio equipment: new harmonised standards and an amendment to EN 50566 on field exposure —
Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2003 adds 12 ETSI standards and amendment EN 50566:2017/A2:2025 to the list of harmonised standards under Directive 2014/53/EU. Three electromagnetic compatibility standards of the EN 301 489 series were listed with restrictions. - Fewer roads need an environmental decision, but sections are added up —
The Polish Council of Ministers regulation of 2 September 2026 exempts widening of hard surface roads up to 2 km and rebuilding up to 4 km outside protected areas from the environmental decision. - IJHARS is building a Polish Honey Database: tests of varietal honeys from the country’s regions are to help detect origin fraud —
On 4 September 2026 IJHARS announced the creation of a Polish Honey Database — a set of parameters characteristic of honeys from different regions of Poland, broken down by variety. Beekeepers can register their apiaries free of charge for sampling. - Personal protective equipment: new harmonised standards and a one-year delay because few can perform the SF6 leakage test —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1971 (OJ of 4 September 2026) adds, among others, EN ISO 374-6:2025 (protective gloves for hairdressers) and EN ISO 24232:2025 (protective clothing against rain) to the list of harmonised standards under Regulation (EU) 2016/425. The withdrawal of the older standards for powered and power-assisted air-purifying respiratory protective devices has been postponed by one year, to 8 October 2027. - ATEX: new edition of the standard for equipment using optical radiation — EN IEC 60079-28:2026 listed as harmonised —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1967 (OJ of 4 September 2026) adds EN IEC 60079-28:2026 “Explosive atmospheres — Part 28: Protection of equipment and transmission systems using optical radiation” to the list of harmonised standards under Directive 2014/34/EU. The 2015 edition is removed from the list with effect from 4 March 2028. - Producer charge for quaternary wastewater treatment put in question —
An Advocate General at the Court of Justice has proposed annulling the provisions under which pharmaceutical and cosmetics producers would cover at least 80 percent of the cost of removing micropollutants from wastewater. - Euro 7: brake particle emission testing of cars and vans under UN Regulation No 179 instead of global technical regulation No 24 — Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1214 —
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1214 of 9 June 2026, published on 3 September 2026, replaces Table 4 of Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2024/1257 (Euro 7): compliance with brake particle emission limits for M1 and N1 vehicles is tested in accordance with UN Regulation No 179 on the laboratory measurement of brake emissions for light-duty vehicles instead of UN Global Technical Regulation No 24. The act entered into force on 23 September 2026. - BfR: proficiency test for cannabinoids in hemp products — 19 laboratories, 91 % satisfactory results —
On 3 September 2026 BfR published the report on a proficiency test organised by the German National Reference Laboratory for Mycotoxins and Plant Toxins. Laboratories determined cannabinoids in hemp flour, hemp oil cake, hemp tea, hemp seed pesto and a standard solution. - Polish accreditation body opens up fire classification and EXAP reports —
A laboratory testing reaction to fire and fire resistance can now hold classification and extended application of results in its accreditation scope. The condition: its own accredited fire test on that product. - PFAS out of food packaging: three thresholds somebody has to measure —
From 12 August 2026 food-contact packaging cannot enter the EU market if it exceeds the PFAS thresholds. There is no test standard for this determination — the Commission points to a two-step route. - First binding MOAH limits in food — laboratories have a year to get the method ready —
On 13 May 2026 the Member States approved draft maximum levels for mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons. Publication is expected late this year, application from 2027. - Two-dimensional mass spectrometry moves from elite centres to the ordinary bench —
A team from the University of Warwick and Verdel Instruments has run 2DMS on a commercially available Q-TOF. Until now the technique needed an instrument costing millions — an upgrade kit is enough. - Pesticides measured at the riverbank: SERS in a microfluidic channel —
The STARDUST consortium, with the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences among its partners, is building a portable optical sensor detecting several pesticides at once in surface and ground water. - Czechia adopts its national metrology system development concept for 2027–2031: 67 national standards, CZK 85 million a year for ČMI and goals including hydrogen, vehicle chargers and an optical frequency standard —
On 2 September 2026 the Czech Metrology Institute (ČMI) announced that Government Resolution No 560 of 31 August 2026 approved the concept for the development of the national metrology system of the Czech Republic for 2027–2031. The document, with an annex on the development of the technical base, was published by the Office for Standards, Metrology and Testing (ÚNMZ). - Seven optical clocks in four countries linked by fibre: two independently built ytterbium-ion clocks agree within an uncertainty of 7.7 × 10⁻¹⁸ —
On 2 September 2026 Italy’s metrology institute INRiM reported the results of a two-month campaign comparing seven optical clocks at the metrology institutes of Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Germany, linked by the European optical fibre network. The paper was published on 1 September 2026 in Physical Review Research. - New emission control areas for ships: Canadian Arctic waters and the Norwegian Sea — MARPOL amendments published in Poland’s Journal of Laws —
Poland’s Journal of Laws of 2 September 2026 published the amendments to MARPOL Annex VI adopted in London on 4 October 2024. According to IMO, Resolution MEPC.392(82) designates new Emission Control Areas (ECAs) for nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and particulate matter: Canadian Arctic Waters and the Norwegian Sea. - LNE accredited by COFRAC for sound absorption measurement in a reverberation room to ISO 354, with results expressed to ISO 11654 —
On 1 September 2026 France’s national metrology and testing laboratory LNE announced that since August 2026 it has held COFRAC accreditation for measuring the sound absorption coefficient to ISO 354 and ISO 11654. The item appears in accreditation scope No 1-0606, revision 35, valid from 4 August 2026. - The United Kingdom starts the transition to ISO/IEC 17020:2026 —
From 1 September 2026 the UK accreditation body assesses inspection bodies against the new edition. It becomes mandatory on 1 January 2028. - Plants from new genomic techniques: the Commission prepares acts under Regulation 2026/1388 — for category 2 plants the detection method is validated by the EU reference laboratory —
On 31 August 2026 the European Commission opened a call for evidence ahead of a delegated act and an implementing act under Regulation (EU) 2026/1388 on plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques (NGT). The acts will lay down procedural and information requirements for verifying category 1 status and for notifications and applications concerning category 2 plants; feedback was accepted until 28 September 2026. - Single photons as a standard: PTB and NIST measured the same quantum-dot source with nearly matching results —
On 31 August 2026 PTB described a comparison in which the German and US national metrology institutes measured the same single-photon source with different methods and obtained very close results. According to PTB this is an important step towards a common standard for comparing sources and calibrating single-photon detectors. - Measuring glare reliably: a 3D-printable luminance standard for checking HDR cameras —
On 31 August 2026 PTB reported on the completed European project HiDyn (EPM 21NRM01), which produced a high-contrast luminance standard for checking the HDR cameras used to assess glare and obtrusive light. According to PTB, commercial instruments — even the best — had not delivered comparable results, and metrological traceability was incomplete. - Construction products: Regulation 2026/1310 assigns assessment and verification systems to 35 product families — system 3 in 71 entries —
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1310, published in the EU Official Journal on 28 August 2026, establishes under the new Construction Products Regulation (EU) 2024/3110 the applicable assessment and verification systems for product families and categories. Poland’s Building Research Institute (ITB) announced it on 2 September 2026. - Lead in wireless speakers: three of twenty models above the limit —
Between March and July 2026 Poland’s Trade Inspection tested 20 models of wireless speakers for lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium and bromine. In three of them the lead content exceeded 1,500 mg/kg against a permitted 1,000 mg/kg. - UK pesticide residue monitoring, Q1 2026: maximum residue levels exceeded in 49 of 662 samples from Great Britain and in 5 of 125 samples from Northern Ireland —
On 27 August 2026 the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published the results of pesticide residue monitoring in food for the first quarter of 2026. The programme covers up to 428 pesticides; in Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales) 662 samples of 23 foods were tested, and in Northern Ireland 125 samples of 14 foods. - Drinking water in Scotland in 2025: 99.91% compliance in 296,935 tests; at consumers’ taps the fall in compliance was almost entirely due to 45 chlorate exceedances —
On 27 August 2026 the Drinking Water Quality Regulator for Scotland (DWQR) published its report for 2025 on the public water supply provided by Scottish Water. Of 296,935 regulatory tests, 255 exceeded the standards — compliance was 99.91%, compared with 99.94% in 2024, when there were 205 exceedances. - New certified reference material ERM-BD801: cocoa butter for calibrating methods that detect foreign fats in chocolate —
On 26 August 2026 the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) announced ERM-BD801, a cocoa butter certified for five triacylglycerols. It replaces IRMM-801, exhausted after about 20 years of use, against which methods for detecting and quantifying cocoa butter equivalents in chocolate are calibrated. - NIST: superconducting single-photon detectors up to 0.1 mm wide reach the material’s performance limit and dark counts drop by 10 orders of magnitude —
On 24 August 2026 the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) described superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors (SNSPDs) with wires up to 0.1 mm wide, more than a hundred times wider than the typical 100 nm. The results were published in Optica on 19 August 2026. - Whole genome sequencing becomes mandatory in foodborne outbreak investigations —
From 23 August 2026 EU countries must sequence the genomes of isolates of five foodborne pathogens. For microbiology the default method becomes sequencing, not serotyping. - River salinisation in Europe: about half of the river network affected, more than 23,000 km above 1 mS/cm —
On 21 August 2026 the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) presented a study published in Nature Communications: based on the electrical conductivity of water from 35 countries, about half of the European river network is affected by salinisation, and more than 23,000 km (about 2 %) exceed 1 mS/cm — above international standards for the protection of aquatic life. - Water pumps tested for the Polish Trade Inspection: 5 of 15 models with supply cord defects —
Between March and May 2026 the Polish Trade Inspection checked 15 models of clean- and dirty-water pumps, which a testing laboratory examined against the PN-EN IEC 60335 series. Five models had design defects — a supply cord that was too short or had too small a conductor cross-section; 8 models had labelling or documentation shortcomings. - Drinking water testing only with accreditation and register entry —
The amended Polish water act replaced sanitary-inspection approval with mandatory PCA accreditation and entry in a register kept by the Chief Sanitary Inspector. 21 August was the deadline for laboratories that already hold accreditation. - Export of hazardous chemicals: Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1278 adds metribuzin, chromium(VI) compounds, UV-328 and Dechlorane Plus, among others, to the PIC lists — applicable from 1 October 2026 —
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/1278 of 9 June 2026, published on 12 August, amends Annexes I and V to Regulation (EU) No 649/2012, which implements in the Union the Rotterdam Convention on the prior informed consent (PIC) procedure. The new entries are pesticides withdrawn from the EU market, carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances restricted under REACH, REACH Annex XIV substances for which no authorisation was granted, and persistent organic pollutants. - All packaging in the EU must be recyclable —
From 12 August 2026 packaging placed on the EU market must be recyclable and the producer has to demonstrate it. That is a new, steady stream of work for materials laboratories. - Weighing fish in the EU: Regulation 2026/1932 sets minimum requirements for weighing systems — from 2030 including tamper detection and printed weighing proofs —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1932, published on 11 August 2026, lays down detailed rules on the weighing of fishery products and its control. All systems used for weighing must meet the minimum requirements of Annex I and be approved, calibrated and sealed in accordance with national law. - Germany reorders flexible scopes of accreditation into categories A, B and C —
A single system across all accreditation standards replaces the old I, II and III labels. A laboratory makes technical changes within its category on its own, without asking each time. - Camping gas stoves: 1 of 16 models with a lower heat input than declared, 12 with marking or documentation faults —
Between March and May 2026 Poland’s Trade Inspection checked 16 models of camping gas stoves, and a laboratory tested them to PN-EN 521+AC:2019-12 or PN-EN 17476+A1:2022-06, depending on the design. In one model the actual nominal heat input was lower than the manufacturer declared, which the report links to a fire risk. - NIST: nanoparticle sizing errors distort conclusions — and a mathematical correction using reference materials —
On 6 August 2026 a team at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) described in ACS Nano a pervasive data-analysis error in nanoscience: studies correlating nanoparticle properties with size assume that size measurements are error-free. The authors propose a correction that accounts for sizing errors. - Seed potatoes: multiplex real-time RT-PCR replaces the eye-plug test and ELISA from 1 February 2027 —
A regulation of Poland’s Minister of Agriculture of 29 July 2026 (Journal of Laws 2026 item 1041) changes the verification assessment of seed potatoes: instead of the eye-plug test on plants grown from cut eyes and the DAS-ELISA immunoassay, the laboratory tests material taken directly from the tubers with a multiplex real-time RT-PCR molecular test. The change applies from 1 February 2027. - Slovakia: new methodology for describing the field and scope of accreditation —
From 1 August 2026 an updated methodological guideline applies, setting out how to word the field and scope of accreditation for product certification bodies. - The SI in machine-actionable form: the BIPM releases the first stable version of the SI Reference Point —
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) has presented the SI Reference Point — a digital knowledge model of the SI Brochure with persistent identifiers (PIDs) that lets software and devices use SI units consistently. Version 1.0.0, the first stable release, came out on 10 June 2026; a webinar presenting it took place on 20 July, and on 31 July the BIPM published the recording. - Taurine in feed renewed until 2036: new limits of 2000 mg/kg for dogs and mustelids and 25 000 mg/kg for carnivorous fish, water for drinking only for cats, three methods from Ph. Eur. 2.2.56 to AOAC 999.12 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1859, published on 30 July 2026, renews until 19 August 2036 the authorisation of taurine (a preparation containing at least 97 % taurine, the taurine itself of at least 98 % purity) as a nutritional additive for Felidae, Canidae, Mustelidae and carnivorous fish and other carnivorous aquatic species except mammals; it repeals Regulation 2015/722. The applicant withdrew the request for a new use in poultry and pigs. New are maximum contents for the species for which no margin of safety could be established, and water for drinking being allowed only for Felidae. - Thyme oil (Thymus vulgaris, T. zygis) in feed: thymol 35–60 % as the marker determined by GC-FID according to ISO 19817, maximum contents from 38 to 100 mg/kg and no combination with other sources of thymol —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1865, published on 30 July 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 19 August 2036 the essential oil from the flowering aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris L. or Thymus zygis L. as a flavouring in feed for all animal species. The Commission set maximum contents because thymol — 35–60 % of the oil — is a pharmacologically active substance within the meaning of Regulation (EU) No 37/2010. Use in water for drinking was not authorised, as Regulation 1831/2003 does not provide for it for flavourings. - Narasin (Monteban G100) for chickens for fattening re-authorised: an OECD 208 plant test on 10 species and a species sensitivity distribution closed the soil risk assessment, fish BCF 4.12 L/kg according to OECD 305 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1860, published on 30 July 2026, authorises the coccidiostat narasin (Monteban G100, Elanco GmbH) for chickens for fattening at 60–70 mg/kg complete feed until 19 August 2036 and repeals the 2004 authorisation. The decision followed a third EFSA opinion: in 2024 the FEEDAP Panel could not exclude a risk for soil or secondary poisoning via the aquatic food chain, and after new plant and fish bioconcentration studies EFSA concluded that no risk to soil, water or sediment is expected. - Cobalt in toys: from 29 August 2026 three uses permitted despite CMR classification — stainless steel, current-conducting parts and neodymium magnets —
A regulation of Poland’s Minister of Finance and Economy published on 30 July 2026 (Journal of Laws item 1019) transposes Commission Directive (EU) 2026/192, which adds cobalt to the list of permitted uses of carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic (CMR) substances in toys. Apart from the general exceptions — a concentration not above the classification limit or inaccessibility to children — cobalt, classified as CMR category 1B, is permitted in toys from 29 August 2026 in three uses only. - First EU maximum levels for furan and methylfurans — in food for infants and young children —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1890, published on 30 July 2026, sets maximum levels for the sum of furan, 2-methylfuran and 3-methylfuran: 40 µg/kg in processed cereal-based food for infants and young children and 30 or 80 µg/kg in baby food. The levels apply from 1 January 2028. - 3-MCPD and glycidyl esters: levels for baby food, lower levels for oils — and a rule for indirect methods —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1825 (OJ of 30 July 2026) introduces, from 1 January 2027, maximum levels for the sum of 3-MCPD and its fatty acid esters (50 µg/kg) and for glycidyl fatty acid esters (25 µg/kg) in baby food and processed cereal-based food for infants and young children. It also lowers the levels for oils and fats intended for producing such food. - Benzoic acid (VevoVitall) for pigs renewed until 2036: purity ≥ 99.9 %, phthalic acid and biphenyl ≤ 100 mg/kg each, determination by HPLC-UV under EN 17298 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1832 of 28 July 2026, published on 29 July, renews until 18 August 2036 the authorisation of benzoic acid (DSM Nutritional Products) as a zootechnical additive for weaned piglets, pigs for fattening, sows and minor porcine species — to improve performance and to lower urine pH. It repeals four regulations: 2016/900, 2018/983, 2018/1550 and 2020/1031. - Δ9-THC in hemp leaves and hemp leaf infusions: maximum levels from 2027 and mandatory label warnings —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1828 (OJ of 29 July 2026) introduces, from 1 January 2027, maximum levels for the sum of Δ9-THC and Δ9-THCA, expressed as Δ9-THC equivalents: 40 mg/kg in hemp leaves for water infusion and 0.02 mg/kg in ready-to-drink hemp leaf infusions. - Pig carcasses in the Netherlands: Decision (EU) 2026/1799 authorises four techniques for estimating lean meat content — with new formulas, from 1 January 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1799, published on 28 July 2026, authorises pig carcass grading techniques in the Netherlands: three new instruments and a new formula for a fourth technique already in use. Two existing methods are withdrawn at the Netherlands’ request, and Decision 2011/303/EU is repealed. - Mycotoxins in feed: new guidance values and a recommendation to test five toxin groups together —
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1801 (OJ of 28 July 2026) replaces Recommendations 2006/576/EC and 2013/165/EU as of 1 July 2027. It recommends monitoring deoxynivalenol, zearalenone, ochratoxin A, T-2 and HT-2 toxins and fumonisins B1 + B2 in feed, and analysing samples for all of them simultaneously to assess their co-occurrence. - Eugenol from clove leaves and trans-anethole from star anise or synthesis authorised for poultry and ornamental birds: GC-MS with retention time locking, methyleugenol up to 0.02 %, estragole up to 0.08 % and a limit of 25 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1811, published on 27 July 2026, authorises until 16 August 2036 as flavourings for poultry and ornamental birds eugenol extracted from dried clove leaves or clove leaf oil and trans-anethole extracted from leaves or fruit of star anise; it authorises synthetic trans-anethole for poultry and renews its authorisation for ornamental birds. Until now both compounds were authorised for all species except poultry and fish (Regulation 2022/1452, which the act amends). - Preparation of carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsicum oleoresin for chickens for fattening renewed until 2036: new composition ranges, capsaicin plus dihydrocapsaicin 0.11–0.15 %, GC-FID determination and a dose of 100 mg/kg as both minimum and maximum content —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1777, published on 27 July 2026, renews until 16 August 2036 the authorisation of the preparation of carvacrol, cinnamaldehyde and capsicum oleoresin (4d11) as a zootechnical additive improving performance of chickens for fattening, changes the authorisation holder from Pancosma France S.A.S. to ADM International Sarl and repeals Regulation 2015/1490. At the holder’s request the content ranges of the constituents were adjusted, and the dose of 100 mg/kg, until now the recommended minimum, became the minimum content. - Peppermint, wild thyme and sage tinctures in feed for 10 years: Regulation (EU) 2026/1822 sets marker specifications — thujone up to 0.0132% in sage tincture — and methods: spectrophotometry, GC-FID, HPLC-UV —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1822 of 24 July 2026, published on 27 July, authorises until 16 August 2036 tinctures of peppermint (2b282-t), wild thyme (2b455-t) and sage (2b414-t) as flavouring compounds in feed for all animal species. They had previously been authorised without a time limit under Directive 70/524/EEC; use in water for drinking was not permitted. - Recombinant equine chorionic gonadotropin (reCG) needs no maximum residue limit in any food-producing animal — Regulation (EU) 2026/1806 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1806 of 24 July 2026, published on 27 July, adds reCG to Table 1 of Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 with a “No MRL required” classification for all food-producing species. The substance was assessed under the procedure for “chemical-unlike” biological substances in Regulation (EU) 2018/782: on 16 April 2026 EMA’s Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products found that a full MRL evaluation is not needed. - Olive oil: the IOC issued an SPME-GC method for volatile compounds indicating sensory defects and new guidelines for tasting panels —
At the end of July 2026 the International Olive Council (IOC) released documents dated June 2026, including the new method COI/T.20/Doc. No 37 for determining volatile compounds in virgin olive oil by SPME-GC-FID/MS and new editions of guidelines for sensory analysis laboratories. By Council Decision (EU) 2026/1539 the EU supported amendments to organoleptic assessment documents at the 123rd session of the IOC Council of Members. - Alpha-galactosidase and xylanase (Capsozyme SB Plus) also for turkeys: activity in GALU and AXC determined colorimetrically — on p-nitrophenyl-α-D-galactopyranoside, wheat arabinoxylan and azo-xylan —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1772, published on 24 July 2026, authorises until 13 August 2036 a preparation of alpha-galactosidase from Aspergillus tubingensis ATCC SD 6740 and endo-1,4-beta-xylanase from Trichoderma orientale CBS 139997 (previously assigned to T. longibrachiatum) as a digestibility enhancer for turkeys for fattening and reared for breeding. Minimum content: 14 GALU and 18 AXC/kg complete feed. - Basil tincture in feed: four determination techniques — spectrophotometry, GC-FID, GC-MS for eugenol and HPLC-UV, estragole at most 0.00005 % and methyleugenol 0.0006 %, limits from 65 to 500 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1786, published on 24 July 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 13 August 2036 a tincture from the dried leaves of Ocimum basilicum L. (water–ethanol extraction) as a flavouring in feed for all animal species. The maximum contents follow from the presence of methyleugenol and estragole. Use in water for drinking was not authorised. - Methods without animal testing in the assessment of nanomaterials in food and feed: implementation plan for a NAM qualification system — comments and case studies until 31 October 2026 —
On 24 July 2026 Italy’s Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) reported on an implementation plan for a qualification system for new approach methodologies without animal use (NAMs) in the food and feed sector, prepared by the NAMs4NANO consortium on behalf of EFSA. The first application is nanomaterial risk assessment. - Heavy-duty vehicles: from 1 July 2028 OBFCM real-world fuel and energy consumption data are read out at roadworthiness tests of new vehicles registered from 1 July 2027 —
By Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1787 of 23 July 2026, published on 24 July, the Commission set the procedure for collecting real-world fuel and energy consumption data of heavy-duty vehicles. Data from on-board fuel and energy consumption monitoring devices (OBFCM) will be read out at periodic roadworthiness tests and passed to the European Environment Agency. - Euro 6: final registration dates before Euro 7 and type-approval testing aligned with UN Regulations No 154 and 168 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1791, published on 24 July 2026, writes the final registration dates for Euro 6 vehicles into Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 and aligns the WLTP and RDE test procedures with UN Regulations No 154 and 168. Passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (M1, N1) meeting Euro 6e-bis can be registered until 28 November 2027. - Gas water heaters: EN 13203-1:2025 cited as a harmonised standard for ecodesign — a corrigendum removed the reference to energy labelling —
By Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1717, published on 23 July 2026, the Commission cited EN 13203-1:2025 (“Gas fired domestic appliances producing hot water - Part 1: Assessment of performance of hot water deliveries”) as a harmonised standard for gas water heaters. A corrigendum of 8 September 2026 limited it to the ecodesign Regulation (EU) No 814/2013. - Euro 7 for M1 and N1: battery durability, low-temperature range and system power added to the test methods — system power is measured on a dynamometer according to UN Regulation No 177 at 25 ± 5 °C, recorded at 10 Hz or more —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1764, published on 22 July 2026, amends Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1706 — the Euro 7 type-approval test methods for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. It adds annexes on in-vehicle battery durability (UN Regulation No 154, 04 series), electric vehicle low-temperature range and system power (UN Regulation No 177), and in-service conformity rules from UN Regulation No 83 (09 series). - Euro 7: testing methodology for brake particle emissions of cars and vans —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1762, published on 22 July 2026, lays down the rules, procedures and testing methodologies for brake particle emissions in Euro 7 type-approval of M1 and N1 vehicles. The tests are based on UN Regulation No 179 on laboratory measurement of brake emissions. - EFSA lowers the safe level for TFA three and a half times —
The acceptable daily intake for trifluoroacetic acid falls from 0.05 to 0.014 mg per kilogram of body weight, with an acute reference dose of 0.07 mg/kg. - L-valine from Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80366 as an inactivated fermentation product — the strain’s cells remain in the additive: at least 72 % valine on dry matter, IEC-VIS determination, no viable cells in 3 batches —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1756, published on 21 July 2026, authorises until 10 August 2036 L-valine produced with the non-genetically modified strain Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80366 as a nutritional additive (amino acids) for all animal species. The additive is a fermentation product with inactivated cells of the strain, which are not removed from the final product. In ruminants L-valine must be protected from degradation in the rumen. - Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) in further food categories — from cola-type drinks to chewing gum and protein products: EFSA estimates the 95th percentile intake at up to 48.5 g/day, and batch composition was determined by HPAEC-PAD according to modified AOAC 2001.02 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1749, published on 21 July 2026, amends the “galacto-oligosaccharide” entry in the Union list of novel foods: at the request of FrieslandCampina Ingredients it authorises GOS in beverages, syrups, confectionery and chocolate products, chewing gum, coffee and cocoa drinks, whey powder and protein products for the general population. It also tidies up the category names so that they are not confused with juices and jams within the meaning of Directives 2001/112/EC and 2001/113/EC. - LPG appliances: the Commission will not publish references to EN 17476 and EN 497 after objections by Sweden and Germany — no requirements for a flame supervision device, operation at low temperature or on a sloping surface —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1750 of 20 July 2026, published on 21 July, finds that the harmonised standards EN 17476:2021 as amended by A1:2022 (LPG vapour pressure appliances incorporating a horizontal cartridge in the chassis) and EN 497:2022 (multi-purpose boiling burners for outdoor use) do not meet the essential requirements of Regulation (EU) 2016/426, so their references are not published in the Official Journal of the EU. - Lutein from marigold in poultry feed: Regulation (EU) 2026/1712 introduces a hexane limit of 290 mg/kg — one of three batches analysed for EFSA contained 1,778 mg/kg — and HPLC methods including EN 17550 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1712 of 20 July 2026, published on 21 July, amends and corrects Regulation (EU) 2020/1097 on the lutein-rich extract (2a161b) and lutein/zeaxanthin extract (2a161bi) from Tagetes erecta for poultry (except turkeys). The specification gets a hexane limit of ≤ 290 mg/kg alongside benzene ≤ 2 mg/kg, hexane is listed as the extraction solvent, and the preparation must contain at least 0.5% total carotenoids. - Vegetation fires at full scale: BAM measured over 500 °C and up to 238 ppm CO in a pine forest and a fire front of up to 2 m/s on a stubble field — data for models and for PFAS-free firefighting —
On 21 July 2026 Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) presented the results of controlled fires and extinguishing trials in the EU project TREEADS: in a pine forest in Saxony-Anhalt and on a stubble field in Brandenburg. The results were described in the journal “Fire and Materials”. - PFAS in food of animal origin in Veneto: 680 of 703 samples within legal limits, 8 of 156 farms above the limit for PFOA or PFOS — methods 2–10 times more sensitive than in 2016–2017 —
On 21 July 2026 the Veneto Region and Italy’s Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS) presented a report on surveillance of 14 PFAS in food of animal origin from contaminated areas in the provinces of Vicenza, Verona and Padua. Compared with the 2016–2017 plan, levels have generally fallen. - United Kingdom: asbestos in sand-containing toys — OPSS tells businesses that testing the finished product is not enough, because the nature of contamination and sampling limitations do not provide assurance —
On 20 July 2026 the UK Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) published an advisory note on assuring the absence of asbestos in sand-containing toys. Following a growing number of recalls due to asbestos, the office reminds businesses that testing can only be one part of broader supply chain assurance. - Sunglasses tested at CIOP in Łódź: 3 of 15 models with a filter category different from the declared one —
Between March and May 2026 the Polish Trade Inspection checked 15 models of sunglasses, which the Central Institute for Labour Protection (CIOP) in Łódź tested against PN-EN ISO 12312-1:2022-12. In 3 models the filter category was higher or lower than declared, and in 2 the recognition of the red traffic signal was impaired. - Pelargonic (nonanoic) acid renewed until 30 September 2041: food-grade E570 specification with water by Karl Fischer, hexanoic, heptanoic and octanoic acids together below 50 g/kg; EFSA — up to 13.29 µg/L in groundwater under alkaline soils —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1696, published on 15 July 2026, renews the approval of the herbicide pelargonic acid from 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2041 and separates it from the previous joint fatty acids entry in Regulation (EU) No 540/2011. It is based on the EFSA conclusion of 29 July 2021 and its update of 16 April 2025 (on non-target arthropods for home garden uses). EFSA identified no critical areas of concern, but for some uses a risk to groundwater, aquatic organisms, bees and other arthropods and soil organisms. - Digital product passport: six standards EN 18216, 18219, 18220, 18221, 18222 and 18223 published as harmonised under the Ecodesign Regulation — Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1736 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1736 of 14 July 2026, published and in force from 15 July, publishes the references of six harmonised standards on digital product passports drafted in support of Regulation (EU) 2024/1781. A passport that complies with these standards is presumed to meet the requirements of Articles 10 and 11 of the Regulation covered by them. - Amendment to the standard for detecting Listeria monocytogenes —
ISO 11290-1:2017/Amd 1:2026 introduces rules for storing samples before analysis and changes the control strain used to test culture media and reagents. - United States: one ICP-MS method instead of separate metal determinations —
From 20 July 2026 the United States inspection service tests ready-to-eat products for eighteen metals, using samples already collected under the allergen verification programme. - Children’s swings in the laboratory: 14 of 30 models with design defects under PN-EN 71-8 —
Between March and May 2026 Poland’s Trade Inspection checked 30 swing models — board swings, bucket swings and nest swings — and a laboratory tested their mechanical and physical properties to PN-EN 71-8:2018-04. Fourteen models had design defects; including formal shortcomings, 21 of the 30 were found non-compliant. - PM2.5 in large Polish cities: the 2025 average exposure indicator exceeded the 20 µg/m³ obligation only in Częstochowa —
In the Official Journal Monitor Polski of 9 July 2026 (item 671) Poland’s Minister of Climate and Environment published a list of 26 cities of over 100,000 inhabitants and agglomerations with their 2025 values of the average exposure indicator for PM2.5. Only Częstochowa, at 22 µg/m³, exceeded the exposure concentration obligation; the others range from 11 to 19 µg/m³. - Carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl: all MRLs lowered to the LOQ, separate benomyl levels and new residue definitions —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1546 (OJ of 9 July 2026) lowers all maximum residue levels for carbendazim and thiophanate-methyl to the limits of quantification and moves them to Annex V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. The changes apply from 29 January 2027. - Rhizomucor pusillus mycelium as a novel food: 44–68 g protein per 100 g and nine mycotoxin limits in the specification — from aflatoxins < 0.1 µg/kg to deoxynivalenol and nivalenol < 150 µg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1507, published on 6 July 2026, authorises from 26 July 2026 a powder of pasteurised, dried and milled biomass of the filamentous fungus Rhizomucor pusillus (strain CBS 143028) from The Protein Brewery B.V. — among others in cereal products, bars, dairy analogues, beverages and food supplements. The Commission replaced the name “fungal biomass” with “mycelium”, as the former could mislead consumers about its composition. - Drinking water in England in 2025: 99.97 % compliance with standards and 33 E. coli detections; over 666,000 PFAS analyses in England and Wales —
On 6 July 2026 the UK Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) published the summary of the Chief Inspector’s report for England for 2025: 24 water companies supplied 59.74 million consumers and compliance with the standards was 99.97 %. In a letter to the minister dated 8 July the Chief Inspector noted that achieving full compliance remains the challenge. - Egg membrane hydrolysate (enzymatically produced) as a novel food: the name “collagen peptides” rejected because collagen is only 15–30 %; specification: protein ≥ 70 %, TAMC ≤ 5 × 10⁴ CFU/g and no Listeria in 25 g —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1427, published on 3 July 2026, adds to the Union list of novel foods a hydrolysate of chicken eggshell membranes obtained with papain — for food supplements for adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women, at up to 500 mg per day. The applicant, Eggnovo SL, has exclusivity for 5 years from 23 July 2026. - A biocide rejected because it could not be determined: the lack of reliable analytical methods led to the non-approval of the quaternary silane generated from dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride — Decision (EU) 2026/1424 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1424 of 30 June 2026, published on 3 July, does not approve poly(dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trihydroxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride) generated in situ from dimethyloctadecyl[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ammonium chloride (EC 248-595-8, CAS 27668-52-6) for biocidal products of product-types 2, 7 and 9. According to the ECHA opinions, reliable analytical methods for quantifying and characterising the substance could not be established. - Biocides for material preservation: BIT and terbutryn not approved for product-type 9, TMAD for product-type 12, while cypermethrin and etofenprox lose approval for wood preservation — three 2026 decisions —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1420, published on 3 July 2026, does not approve terbutryn and 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (BIT) for product-type 9 (fibre, leather, rubber and polymerised materials preservatives) or TMAD for product-type 12 (slimicides). Earlier, Decisions 2026/378 and 2026/1112 did not renew the approval of etofenprox (product-types 8 and 18) and cypermethrin (product-type 8 — wood preservatives), because the applicants withdrew their renewal applications. - Textile products: Greece’s General Chemical State Laboratory designated as a Union testing facility for market surveillance —
By Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1481, published on 3 July 2026, the Commission designated the General Chemical State Laboratory (GCSL) — a directorate-general of Greece’s Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) — as a Union testing facility for textile products. The designation is to be reviewed by 23 July 2031 and every five years thereafter. - Hydrogen pipelines: BAM opened the ModuH2Pipe test platform — pressure cycles of 10–85 bar, pipe sections up to 1400 mm in diameter and burst tests at 900 bar —
On 2 July 2026 Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) opened the ModuH2Pipe platform at its technical safety test site for full-scale testing of pipelines for hydrogen and hydrogen–natural gas mixtures. Construction was funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy with EUR 3.8 million. - Ecodesign moves into implementation: first product groups and the Digital Product Passport —
The 2025–2030 working plan named the first product groups covered by ecodesign: textiles, furniture, tyres, mattresses, steel and aluminium. Each will carry a digital passport with data that has to be measured first. - USA: EPA proposes UCMR 6 — monitoring of 30 unregulated drinking water contaminants in 2028–2030, including seven ultrashort organofluorine compounds by the new EPA Method 563; analyses only by EPA-approved laboratories —
On 1 July 2026 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register its proposed Sixth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 6). Water systems would collect occurrence data for 30 substances not covered by national primary drinking water regulations, and samples could be analysed only by EPA-approved laboratories; comments were accepted until 31 August 2026. - EU air pollutant emissions: in 2024, 21 Member States met their 2020–2029 reduction commitments for all five main pollutants, ammonia remains the biggest challenge —
On 1 July 2026 the European Environment Agency published an assessment of progress in reducing emissions of the five main air pollutants under the NEC Directive, based on 2024 data reported by the Member States in 2026. Six Member States failed to meet their commitments for at least one pollutant; Poland is not among them. - Seawater pH measured with a dye, not an electrode — a new edition of the standard —
ISO 18191:2026 supersedes the 2015 edition. The spectrophotometric method with m-cresol purple covers pH on the total hydrogen ion scale from 7.4 to 8.2 at practical salinity from 20 to 40. - Environmental DNA from water gets its own sampling standard —
ISO 17805:2026 sets a uniform procedure for sampling, capturing and preserving environmental DNA (eDNA) from water, together with quality assurance rules for that stage. - Earthworms as an indicator of soil quality — new edition of the sampling standard —
EN ISO 23611-1:2026 modernises hand-sorting and extraction of earthworms, the method used to assess soil quality through the organisms living in it. - A standard for designing the sampling programme, not for the test itself —
EN ISO 23611-6:2026 complements the organism-specific methods in the series with rules for designing the whole soil invertebrate sampling programme. - XRF screening in electronics now covers nine elements and substances —
EN IEC 62321-3-1:2026 describes screening for lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, bromine, phosphorus, chlorine, tin and antimony in electrotechnical products by X-ray fluorescence. - JRC makes seven nearly exhausted BCR reference materials available in digital form — IR spectra on the ChemisTwin platform —
On 30 June 2026 the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) announced that seven of its certified reference materials (CRMs) nearing physical depletion have been added as digital CRMs to the ChemisTwin platform developed by Merck KGaA. Laboratories compare their own sample signals with them while keeping metrological traceability to a specific CRM sample. - RoHS: new exemptions for lead in alloys, solders and ceramics from 1 July 2026 — most expire in 2027 —
By a regulation of 30 June 2026 (Journal of Laws 2026 item 877) Poland transposed three Commission delegated directives of 8 September 2025 — (EU) 2025/1802, 2025/2363 and 2025/2364 — which from 1 July 2026 change the exemptions from the lead restriction in electrical and electronic equipment. The maximum lead concentration in a homogeneous material remains 0.1 % by weight; the exemptions allow more only in the listed applications and periods. - The United Kingdom updates its list of official food and feed laboratories —
The latest change of 30 June 2026 removed one of the laboratories testing for trichinella. Being on the list is the condition for working for enforcement authorities. - Live bivalve molluscs: areas classified before 2019 need no new sanitary survey unless monitoring shows significant changes — Regulation (EU) 2026/1406 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1406 of 26 June 2026, published on 29 June, amends Article 56 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/627 on official controls of products of animal origin. A sanitary survey of a production or relaying area for live bivalve molluscs is carried out before a new area is classified and when monitoring data or other information point to significant changes in environmental conditions that may significantly and permanently affect the results of the previous sanitary survey. The provision requiring a survey in all already classified areas is repealed. - “Pustułka” system in Kielce: a network of acoustic sensors is to monitor urban noise continuously and detect drones, street races and gunshots — GUM coordinates and is responsible for measurement data quality —
On 29 June 2026 the “Pustułka System” project was presented at the Świętokrzyski Laboratory Campus of Poland’s Central Office of Measures (GUM) in Kielce, and a letter of intent on its implementation was signed. The consortium comprises GUM, the Provincial Police Headquarters in Kielce, the City of Kielce, the Chief Inspectorate of Environmental Protection and the ACK Cyfronet AGH computing centre; the investment is worth almost PLN 10 million. - Fuel quality in the EU in 2024: 274 non-compliances for petrol and 31 for diesel — most often vapour pressure, octane number and sulphur content —
On 26 June 2026 the European Topic Centre on Climate change mitigation, working for the European Environment Agency, published a report on fuel quality monitoring in the EU in 2024, based on data reported by the Member States under Directive 98/70/EC. Most key fuel parameters in the samples were within the tolerance limits. - AC voltage up to 100 MHz: GUM in the European Met4AC project — today no national metrology institute in Europe can fully calibrate such equipment —
On 25 June 2026 Poland’s Central Office of Measures (GUM) announced that project 25RPT01 Met4AC “Advancing the European metrology for wideband AC voltage”, funded by the European Partnership on Metrology, started on 1 June. The kick-off meeting took place on 9–10 June at Germany’s PTB in Braunschweig with two GUM laboratories taking part. - Edible jatropha (Chuta) also as flour and paste, up to 30 g/100 g: every seed lot is tested for phorbol esters before dehulling by UHPLC-UV-MS (limit of detection 0.75 µg TPA eq/g) according to a sampling table —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1378, published on 24 June 2026, amends the entry “kernels (edible variety) of Jatropha curcas L.” in the Union list of novel foods: it authorises flour and paste from ground kernels, raises the maximum level in cereal bars, breakfast cereals and dried fruit from 5 to 30 g/100 g and widens the fat range in the specification from 54–61 % to 54–64 %. For 5 years from 14 July 2026 the extended conditions of use are reserved to Chuta Nut GmbH of Ulm. - Drinking water in Poland: five new parameters in the health ministry regulation —
The regulation of 22 May 2026 took effect on 24 June, adding the sum of PFAS, bisphenol A, uranium and — conditionally — haloacetic acids and microcystin-LR to water testing. - INTERLAB of the Kielce University of Technology accredited by PCA (AP 240): calibration of length, angle and roughness —
The INTERLAB Advanced Measurement Techniques Laboratory of the Kielce University of Technology (Politechnika Świętokrzyska) was accredited by the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA) as a calibration laboratory under No AP 240 on 23 June 2026; the accreditation cycle runs until 22 June 2030. According to GUM, the laboratory operates at the Świętokrzyski Laboratory Campus of the Central Office of Measures in Kielce. - The EA MLA mark registered in all member countries of the agreement —
Since 19 June 2026 the EA multilateral agreement mark has been registered in all member countries; Supplement 3 to EA-3/01 for Switzerland has also been published. - Pesticide MRLs: two corrections for the same reason — earlier-adopted regulations overwrote later ones because they started to apply later (flupyradifurone, potassium phosphonate, fenpyrazamine) —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/751, published on 1 April 2026, and Regulation (EU) 2026/1339, published on 18 June, correct Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. In both cases MRLs set later were replaced by values from a regulation adopted earlier but applicable from a later date — the Commission calls this a clerical error in the sequence of dates of application. Both corrections entered into force on the third day after publication. - France may keep banning the placing on the market and installation of wood treated with creosote and related substances — the Commission extends its authorisation until 7 June 2028 (Decision (EU) 2026/1377) —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1377 of 11 May 2026, published on 18 June, amends Decision (EU) 2019/961: the period during which France may apply its provisional measure under Article 129 of REACH is extended from 59 to 108 months, i.e. until 7 June 2028. It applies retroactively from 8 May 2024, because the previous authorisation expired before the Commission completed the amendment of entry 31 of REACH Annex XVII. - Metalaxyl-M: treated seeds may be sown outside greenhouses — with precision drills and up to 2 000 000 seeds/ha; impurity CGA226048 at < 10 g/kg, information on the effect of water treatment on residues by 10 July 2026; EFSA — metabolite NOA409045 above 0.1 µg/L in groundwater in 6–7 of 7 scenarios for spinach, considered non-relevant —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1353, published on 16 June 2026, lifts the 2020 restriction under which products containing metalaxyl-M could be used only to treat seeds sown in greenhouses. The application was submitted by Syngenta Crop Protection AG in 2020, the rapporteur was Belgium. In its first conclusions (3 October 2023) EFSA identified a critical area of concern — a high acute and long-term risk to birds and wild mammals; in the updated conclusions (4 July 2025) it considered sowing outside greenhouses safe for them under refined practice: a lower sowing rate and precision drilling. - MRLs from monitoring data: Regulation (EU) 2026/1314 — 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene 0.03 mg/kg (99th percentile), chlormequat 2 mg/kg in oyster mushrooms and 0.6 mg/kg in cultivated fungi; two residue definitions for metribuzin, including DADK-metribuzin —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/1314 of 15 June 2026, published on 16 June, amends Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 for 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, chlormequat, metribuzin, DADK-metribuzin, terbuthylazine and triclopyr. It applies from 6 January 2027; products placed on the market earlier remain subject to the previous rules. - PFAS in feed: Recommendation (EU) 2026/1307 — monitoring of PFOS, PFOA, PFNA and PFHxS in 2026–2028 with a limit of quantification in feed of at most 0.1 μg/kg, with soil and drinking water for animals in follow-up investigations —
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1307 of 11 June 2026, published on 16 June, recommends that Member States, together with feed business operators, monitor perfluoroalkyl substances in feed in 2026, 2027 and 2028. The data are to show the transfer of PFAS from feed to food of animal origin and to inform a discussion on possible maximum levels in feed. - EU bathing waters in the 2025 season: 85 % excellent, below 70 % in Poland —
On 16 June 2026 the European Environment Agency and the European Commission published the bathing water assessment for the 2025 season. Of the EU’s 22 010 bathing waters, 85 % were of excellent quality, 96 % met at least the minimum requirements and 1.5 % (324) were rated poor; Poland is among the countries where fewer than 70 % of bathing waters were excellent. - Lupins and lupin-derived food: Recommendation (EU) 2026/1241 — monitoring of nine quinolizidine alkaloids by LC-MS/MS, limit of quantification about 1 mg/kg in seeds and 0.05 mg/kg in milk —
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1241 of 11 June 2026, published on 15 June, calls on Member States and food business operators to monitor quinolizidine alkaloids in lupins and lupin-derived food and to investigate the factors leading to high levels. The data are to complement EFSA’s 2019 assessment, which could not fully characterise the risk. - Ergot alkaloids in feed: Recommendation (EU) 2026/1243 replaces the 2012 recommendation — six epimer pairs by LC-MS/MS with a limit of quantification of at most 5 μg/kg, plus sclerotia content —
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1243 of 11 June 2026, published on 15 June, recommends monitoring ergot alkaloids in feed and replaces Recommendation 2012/154/EU. It builds on the EFSA opinion adopted on 30 November 2023, which found that ergot alkaloids in feed pose a health risk to cattle and pigs. - Rhamnogalacturonan-I enriched carrot extract (cRG-I) as a novel food: the AOAC 2017.16 method underreports pectin fibre by 7.6 % on average, lead and cadmium checked with processing factors of 39 and 34 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1306, published on 12 June 2026, authorises an extract of carrot pomace enzymatically enriched in rhamnogalacturonan-I domains (NutriLeads B.V.), among others in food supplements up to 1500 mg per day for persons over 3 years, in muesli up to 5000 mg/100 g and in imitation cream up to 10 000 mg/100 g. Protection of the applicant’s data lasts until 2 July 2031. - Vermiculite as an anticaking agent in feed for hens and chickens: XRD and XRF for characterisation, PLM microscopy confirms absence of asbestos, crystalline silica ≤ 0.06 %, nickel ≤ 148 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1234 of 11 June 2026, published on 12 June, authorises until 2 July 2036 vermiculite (magnesium-aluminium-iron silicate, ≥ 87.0 %) for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying or breeding and hens, at 10 000 mg/kg feed. EFSA noted that efficacy was shown at 10 000 mg/kg, above the level safe for piglets and pigs for fattening (5000 mg/kg) — the authorisation covers only hens and chickens. - Scooters, children’s bikes and helmets in the laboratory: design defects in 10 of 20 sports scooters and 9 of 40 ride-on toys, helmets all passed —
Between January and April 2026 Poland’s Trade Inspection checked 75 models: 40 tricycles, balance bikes and children’s scooters (toys, PN-EN 71-1+A1:2018-08), 20 sports scooters (PN-EN 14619:2019-11) and 15 cycling and scooter helmets (PN-EN 1078+A1:2013-04). Design defects were found in 10 sports scooters and 9 toys, while all helmets met the design requirements in tests at CIOP in Łódź. - Legionella in two days instead of ten — and what the comparison with the reference method shows —
The MICA method labels the bacterial cell wall and counts microcolonies automatically. Agreement with culture to ISO 11731:2017 was 82.4 % and sensitivity 67.4 % — a faster result, but not yet an equivalent one. - Inulin-propionate ester as a novel food in cereal bars and fruit smoothies: total propionate by HPLC-RID after hydrolysis, free acid as the degradation indicator, and fat — Soxhlet without acid hydrolysis —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1219, published on 10 June 2026, authorises inulin-propionate ester (applicant: Imperial College Hammersmith Campus) in cereal bars up to 17 g/100 g and in fruit smoothies up to 3 g/100 mL. Following EFSA’s remark, the Commission added to the specification chemical and microbiological parameters that the applicant had not included. - Pyrrolizidine alkaloids in feed: Recommendation (EU) 2026/1210 — 27 alkaloids plus 14 co-eluting ones by LC-MS/MS with a limit of quantification of 10 μg/kg, data to EFSA by 30 June 2028 —
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1210 of 9 June 2026, published on 10 June, recommends that Member States, with the active involvement of feed business operators, monitor pyrrolizidine alkaloids in feed. It is meant to provide data before any risk management measures — EFSA’s database holds only limited results for feed. - EU border checks on food: Argentine peanuts, Indian cumin and Syrian tahini checked more often, Indian cinnamon no longer needs a certificate —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1206, published on 10 June 2026, replaces Annexes I and II to Regulation 2019/1793 — the lists of food and feed of non-animal origin subject to increased identity and physical checks on entry into the EU. The changes concern aflatoxins, pesticide residues, Salmonella and ethylene oxide. - Air quality: EU rules for modelling and for determining the spatial representativeness of sampling points — applicable from 30 June 2028 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1208, published on 10 June 2026, sets out under the new Ambient Air Quality Directive (EU) 2024/2881 minimum requirements for modelling, its quality assurance and validation, and for determining the spatial representativeness areas of sampling points. The decision applies from 30 June 2028. - Four conditions for testing drinking water in Poland —
Compliance monitoring may be run only by a laboratory that holds accreditation and accredited samplers, issues partial and complete reports, and is entered in the register kept by the Chief Sanitary Inspector. - NIST26: the mass spectral library grows to 382,180 compounds in the EI part and 68,635 in the tandem part —
On 9 June 2026 NIST announced a new release of its mass spectral library (Standard Reference Database 1A), used since 1988 to identify unknown substances in food, drugs, cosmetics, the environment and forensic evidence. About 35,000 compounds were added to the electron ionisation part and 17,000 to the tandem part. - Paints and varnishes: 5 of 32 batches tested for volatile organic compounds rejected —
In 2025 the Polish Trade Inspection checked the labelling of 312 batches of paints and varnishes containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and a laboratory in Gliwice tested the VOC content of 32 batches. Five batches were rejected for incorrect VOC content and 4 for labelling; UOKiK published the results on 5 June 2026. - EMPIR programme closes: 240 metrology research projects, 4,000 contributions to standardisation — French laboratories in 114 projects; the European Partnership on Metrology continues —
On 2 June 2026 France’s national metrology and testing laboratory (LNE) reported on the official closing of the European metrology research programme EMPIR, held on 7 May 2026 in Brussels. The programme was launched in 2014 under Horizon 2020 with a budget of EUR 600 million. - Microplastics under REACH: an exemption for research and a stricter solid matrix condition —
Regulation (EU) 2026/1168 amends entry 78 of Annex XVII to REACH, the restriction on synthetic polymer microparticles. - Fuel biocomponents: new Polish regulation on quality requirements and test methods — tighter chloride and sulphate limits for bioethanol —
A regulation of Poland’s Minister of Climate and Environment of 18 May 2026 (Journal of Laws 2026 item 710), in force since 16 June 2026, sets the quality requirements, test methods and sampling procedure for bioethanol, fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and liquid biohydrocarbons. It replaced the 2021 regulation; the maximum inorganic chloride content of bioethanol falls from 6.0 to 1.5 mg/kg and sulphate from 4.0 to 3.0 mg/kg. - Phthalates and boron in toys: 41 of 250 models over the limits — up to 22.6 % phthalate in a ball, up to 1173 mg/kg boron migration from slime —
On 1 June 2026 UOKiK presented the results of its 2025 toy controls: 220 models were tested for phthalates and 30 slime toys for boron migration. 41 models (more than 16 %) exceeded the limits, and one in four had labelling or documentation defects. - PCR method for detecting genetically modified salmon in food —
CEN ISO/TS 21569-10:2026 sets out real-time PCR protocols for detecting genetically modified Atlantic salmon, together with interlaboratory validation data. - Wet gluten and gluten index — new edition of the mechanical method —
EN ISO 21415-2:2026 describes the mechanical determination of wet gluten and the gluten index in wheat and wheat flour. - Whole grain gets a single definition and technical criteria —
ISO 20810:2026 sets a global definition of whole grain and requirements for packaging, labelling and claims for whole-grain products. - New edition of the standard underpinning precision in all fuel testing —
ISO 4259-1:2026 sets out how to determine precision data — repeatability and reproducibility — for petroleum product test methods. - How to use precision data when a fuel test result is disputed —
ISO 4259-2:2026 covers the interpretation and application of precision data: comparing results, assessing conformity with a specification and settling disagreements. - Common reference conditions for testing measurement transmitters —
IEC 62828-1:2026 sets common reference conditions and test procedures for industrial and process measurement transmitters, whatever quantity they measure. - A separate test procedure for pressure transmitters —
IEC 62828-2:2026 supplements the general part with procedures specific to pressure transmitters — the most frequently calibrated group of process instruments. - Plain limit gauges for linear size brought up to date —
EN ISO 1938-1:2026 aligns requirements for plain limit gauges with the current system of geometrical product specification (GPS) standards. - Airflow resistance of sound-absorbing materials — the static method —
EN ISO 9053-1:2026 describes the static method for determining airflow resistance — the property that governs how well sound-absorbing materials work. - Polish accreditation body sets out rules for drinking and bathing water testing —
Communication no. 475 of 1 June 2026 describes accreditation rules for laboratories sampling and testing water intended for human consumption and bathing water. - Italy: the stricter PFAS limit in water postponed to June 2026 —
The sum of regulated PFAS drops from 0.50 to 0.10 µg/l. The budget law moved the 12 January 2026 date to June, while the accreditation requirement for laboratories stays unchanged. - Neohesperidine DC in feed renewed until 2036: 35 mg/kg for seven animal groups, determination by HPLC-UV according to Ph. Eur. 1547 and HPLC-DAD, EFSA data on batches from bitter orange, pomelo and grapefruit —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1150, published on 29 May 2026, renews until 18 June 2036 the authorisation of neohesperidine DC (neohesperidine dihydrochalcone) as a flavouring for piglets, pigs for fattening, calves, sheep, food-producing fish, ornamental fish and dogs, with a maximum content of 35 mg/kg complete feed for each of these groups; it repeals Regulation 2015/264. It is based on two applications and two EFSA opinions of 19 March and 16 September 2025. - Inositol for fish and crustaceans renewed until 2036: it is quantified in the additive, premixtures and feed by a microbiological activity assay, and identified according to Ph. Eur. monograph 1805 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1151, published on 29 May 2026, renews until 18 June 2036 the authorisation of inositol (purity at least 97 %) as a nutritional additive in the group of vitamins and substances having a similar effect for fish and crustaceans — both food-producing and ornamental — without a minimum or maximum content; it repeals Regulation 1249/2014. EFSA confirmed that the additive on the market complies with the existing conditions and that the production process has not changed. - Silage bacteria for another 10 years: seven strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri with counting on MRS agar (EN 15787) and PFGE identification — EFSA could not rule out Enterobacteriaceae because no recognised method was used —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1146 of 28 May 2026, published on 29 May, renews until 18 June 2036 the authorisations of preparations of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 18112, DSM 18113, DSM 18114, ATCC 55943 and ATCC 55944 and Lentilactobacillus buchneri ATCC PTA-2494 and ATCC PTA-6138 as silage additives for all animal species. Each preparation must contain at least 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g. - Beta-carotene in feed for another 10 years: the previously recommended 50 mg/kg in calf milk replacers becomes a maximum content, triphenylphosphine oxide up to 100 mg/kg — Regulation (EU) 2026/1148 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1148 of 28 May 2026, published on 29 May, renews until 18 June 2036 the authorisation of beta-carotene (3a160) and a beta-carotene preparation containing at least 10% of the substance (3a160i) as nutritional additives for all animal species and repeals Regulation (EU) 2015/1103. For calves (milk replacers) it sets a maximum content of 50 mg/kg complete feed. - JRC: list of waste streams with the greatest recovery potential for critical raw materials — 46% of these materials in small electronic equipment is lost at collection —
On 29 May 2026 the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) presented a report supporting Article 26 of the Critical Raw Materials Act (Regulation (EU) 2024/1252). It identifies products, components and waste streams rich in critical and strategic raw materials that Member States must at least consider in their national programmes of circularity measures. - Five national reference laboratories for drinking water and bathing waters — in Białystok, Kraków, Poznań, Warsaw and Olsztyn —
By a regulation of 27 May 2026 (Journal of Laws 2026 item 707) Poland’s Minister of Health designated laboratories of voivodeship sanitary and epidemiological stations as national reference laboratories for testing the quality of water intended for human consumption and of bathing water. The regulation enters into force on 1 January 2027, and the laboratories are to perform the tasks set out in the act from 1 January 2028. - Triple quadrupole ICP-MS with a dual-cell system —
At the ASMS 2026 conference Agilent presented the 9500 ICP-MS with a dual-cell system, easing the move from single to triple quadrupole. - Gas chromatographs with built-in diagnostics and guided troubleshooting —
The new 8890B and 8860B GC systems combine hardware with condition monitoring and guided troubleshooting, aimed at cutting unplanned downtime. - L-isoleucine from Escherichia coli CCTCC M 20231916 in feed and water for drinking: IEC-VIS/FLD, endotoxins according to Ph. Eur. 2.6.14, specific optical rotation +36.25° below the pharmacopoeia range with 5.9 % valine —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1117, published on 27 May 2026, authorises until 16 June 2036 L-isoleucine (at least 90 % on a dry matter basis) produced by a genetically modified E. coli K12 derivative, CCTCC M 20231916, for all animal species, also in water for drinking despite EFSA’s concerns about hygiene and nutritional balance. User exposure to endotoxins is limited to 1 600 IU/m³ of air. - Enterococcus lactis NCIMB 11181 (formerly E. faecium) for poultry and ornamental birds in feed and water for drinking: spread-plate count on bile aesculin azide agar according to EN 15788, identification by PFGE according to CEN/TS 17697, minimum 3 × 10¹⁰ CFU/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1122, published on 27 May 2026, authorises until 16 June 2036 a preparation of Enterococcus lactis NCIMB 11181 (holder Chr. Hansen A/S) as a gut flora stabiliser for poultry for fattening and reared for laying or breeding and ornamental birds, in feed and in water for drinking. In 2024 EFSA considered the additive safe but could not confirm efficacy, as only 2 of 6 trials showed a significant improvement; in 2025, after new trials, it considered it potentially efficacious. - Feed additives: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1115 changes the application form, target species terminology and minimum duration of efficacy studies (e.g. laying hens and salmonids 84 days) — from 16 December 2026 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1115 of 26 May 2026, published on 27 May, amends Regulation (EC) No 429/2008 on the preparation and assessment of applications for feed additive authorisation. The application form will be generated from electronically submitted documents, Annex IV will cover all animal species and categories farmed or kept in the Union, and the minimum duration of long-term efficacy studies has been aligned with EFSA’s 2024 guidance. - PCA launches accreditation of CBAM data verifiers — applications on form FA-01 with annex FAVG-01, requirements in programme DAVG-01 —
On 18 May 2026 the Polish Centre for Accreditation (PCA) announced (communication No 474) that it is extending its activity to the accreditation of bodies verifying data for Regulation (EU) 2023/956 establishing the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). PCA invites applications. - UNIDO and EUROLAB: the brochure “Laboratories for a Sustainable Future” — environmental, social and governance best practices and a method for calculating a laboratory’s carbon footprint in scopes 1, 2 and 3 —
On 18 May 2026 the European federation of laboratory associations EUROLAB, together with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), published a brochure on sustainable laboratory management. It was developed after a series of webinars under UNIDO’s Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP). - Slovakia signs up to the new global accreditation organisation —
On 18 May 2026 the Slovak accreditation body became a signatory of the Global Accreditation Cooperation arrangement — the organisation formed by merging the previous global structures. - The UOKiK laboratory tested 332 batches of clothing, jewellery and leather goods: cadmium more than 400 times the limit —
On 15 May 2026 UOKiK published the results of its 2025 controls: the UOKiK laboratory in Łódź tested 332 batches of jewellery, clothing, leather goods, PVC tablecloths and bedding for cadmium, lead, chromium(VI), phthalates and formaldehyde. Limits were exceeded in 24 batches (more than 7 %). - PFAS in firefighter gear after abrasion, heat and weathering: in gloves the median total rose from 180 to 1,330 µg/kg —
On 13 May 2026 NIST published its fourth report on PFAS in firefighter protective gear (NIST Technical Note 2375). It measured 56 PFAS in 22 textiles from structural firefighting gloves and hoods and from wildland firefighting clothing — after abrasion, heat or weathering with UV radiation at elevated humidity. - CountEmissionsEU: greenhouse gas emissions of transport services calculated under EN ISO 14083:2023 and verified by accredited bodies — Regulation (EU) 2026/1030 applies from 2 December 2030 —
Regulation (EU) 2026/1030 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2026, published on 12 May, lays down common rules for accounting greenhouse gas emissions of transport services starting or ending in the EU — where such data are disclosed under a contract, voluntarily for commercial purposes or because the law requires it. The common methodology is EN ISO 14083:2023. The regulation entered into force on 1 June 2026 and applies from 2 December 2030. - L-tryptophan from Escherichia coli CCTCC M 2024517: HPLC-FLD according to EN ISO 13904, EBT impurity up to 10 mg/kg, unprotected tryptophan in ruminants risks formation of 3-methylindole —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1014, published on 8 May 2026, authorises until 28 May 2036 L-tryptophan (at least 98 % DM) from genetically modified E. coli CCTCC M 2024517 for all animal species, in feed and water for drinking. The additive composition includes a limit of 1,1′-ethylidene-bis-L-tryptophan (EBT) ≤ 10 mg/kg. - L-threonine from Escherichia coli CCTCC M 2024477: IEC-VIS/FLD according to EN ISO 17180, endotoxins in batches 30 000–300 000 IU/g, user exposure up to 1 600 IU/m³ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1017, published on 8 May 2026, authorises until 28 May 2036 L-threonine (at least 98 % DM) from genetically modified E. coli CCTCC M 2024477 for all animal species, in feed and water for drinking. In the Polish version of recital 4 EFSA’s concerns about use in water for drinking refer to “L-threonine sulphate”, in the English version to L-threonine. - Xylanase and glucanase from Talaromyces versatilis renewed and extended to all poultry: activity determined viscometrically in VU, at least 1 100 VU xylanase and 760 VU glucanase per kg feed —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1016, published on 8 May 2026, renews until 28 May 2036 the authorisation of a preparation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase produced by Talaromyces versatilis IMI 378536 and DSM 26702 (holder: Adisseo France) and extends it to all poultry categories, repealing Regulations (EU) 2015/661, 2015/2304 and 2017/210. - Saccharomyces cerevisiae NBRC 0203 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NBRC 3425 as a silage additive: enumeration on YGC agar (EN 15789) and MRS agar (EN 15787), identification according to CEN/TS 15790 and CEN/TS 17697; the act states 4 × 10² CFU/mL of bacteria, the EFSA opinion 4 × 10⁷ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1018, published on 8 May 2026, authorises until 28 May 2036 a liquid preparation of the yeast S. cerevisiae NBRC 0203 and the bacterium L. rhamnosus NBRC 3425 as a silage additive for all animal species, only in easy and moderately difficult to ensile material. Minimum dose: 4.0 × 10² CFU of yeast and 3.2 × 10⁶ CFU of bacteria per kg fresh plant material. - Pediococcus pentosaceus NCIMB 12674/DSM 35357 for silage only from moderately difficult material: plating on MRS agar according to EN 15786, PFGE according to CEN/TS 17697, dusting potential of the preparation up to 17 400 mg/m³ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1020, published on 8 May 2026, authorises until 28 May 2036 a preparation of Pediococcus pentosaceus NCIMB 12674/DSM 35357 (at least 1 × 10¹¹ CFU/g) as a silage additive for all animal species, at a dose of at least 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg fresh material, only in moderately difficult to ensile material (1.5–3.0 % soluble carbohydrates in fresh matter). - Bacillus velezensis CECT 5940 (Ecobiol) for laying poultry and a new name for the former Bacillus amyloliquefaciens: spores counted on tryptone soya agar according to EN 15784, dose 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1036, published on 8 May 2026, authorises until 28 May 2036 a preparation of B. velezensis CECT 5940 (holder: Evonik Operations) as a gut flora stabiliser for laying poultry at 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg complete feed. In authorisations 2020/1395 and 2021/2050 it replaces the name Bacillus amyloliquefaciens with B. velezensis and aligns user protection measures. - Enterococcus lactis NCIMB 10415 (formerly E. faecium) as a silage additive: plating on bile esculin azide agar according to EN 15788, PFGE according to CEN/TS 17697, 1 × 10⁸ CFU/kg fresh material —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1037, published on 8 May 2026, authorises until 28 May 2036 a preparation of Enterococcus lactis NCIMB 10415 (at least 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g) as a silage additive for all animal species and all types of plant material, at a dose of at least 1 × 10⁸ CFU/kg fresh material. The strain was previously authorised as additive 1k20601 under the name Enterococcus faecium. - 6-phytase from Aspergillus oryzae DSM 33737 extended to laying poultry, piglets and pigs for fattening: activity determined colorimetrically according to EN ISO 30024, minimum 200 FYT/kg, while efficacy trials were run at 187.5 FYT/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1013, published on 8 May 2026, authorises until 28 May 2036 a preparation of 6-phytase (EC 3.1.3.26) produced with Aspergillus oryzae DSM 33737 (holder Novozymes A/S) as a digestibility enhancer for laying or breeding poultry, piglets and Suidae for fattening or reared for reproduction. The same preparation was already authorised in 2024 for poultry for fattening and reared, sows and fish; now EFSA, on the basis of new trials, considered it potentially efficacious in all poultry and porcine species. - L-cysteine and its hydrochlorides as flavouring compounds in feed — Regulation (EU) 2026/1012: recommended content up to 25 mg/kg, determination by ion-exchange chromatography, made from L-cystine produced with E. coli DSM 34232 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1012 of 7 May 2026, published on 8 May, authorises until 28 May 2036 L-cysteine (2b92457), L-cysteine hydrochloride (2b17032) and L-cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate (2b920i) as sensory additives — flavouring compounds — for all animal species. The applicant withdrew the request for classification as amino acids, and use in drinking water is not allowed because Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 does not provide for flavourings there. - Pesticide residues in EU food in 2024: over 125,000 samples, 98.8% compliant in the coordinated programme — EFSA reports increased import controls separately for the first time —
On 5 May 2026 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published the EU report on pesticide residues in food for 2024, based on results from over 125,000 samples. As in previous years, EFSA considers the risk to consumer health to be low. - Static tanks for liquid fuels: EN 13616-1:2025 on overfill prevention devices harmonised under the ATEX Directive (Decision 2026/989) — the 2016 edition leaves the list on 5 October 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/989, published on 5 May 2026, adds EN 13616-1:2025 on overfill prevention devices with closure device for static tanks for liquid fuels to the list of harmonised standards under Directive 2014/34/EU (ATEX). The reference to the 2016 edition is deleted with a delay — from 5 October 2027. - Determining ash in plastics anew — the sixth edition of the general standard —
ISO 3451-1:2026 supersedes the 2019 edition and gives general methods together with test conditions for a range of plastics. The European version EN ISO 3451-1:2026 adopts the text unchanged. - Fibre concrete pulled directly, without bending — the first standard of its kind —
ISO 13180-1:2026 gives a direct tensile test method for fibre-reinforced cementitious composites that show strain-hardening behaviour. The specimen is loaded uniaxially, without any parasitic bending moment. - End of the transition period for proficiency testing providers —
The three-year transition to ISO/IEC 17043:2023 ended in May 2026. Accreditation to the 2010 edition is no longer recognised under the global mutual recognition arrangement. - One standard for testing six chemicals used to treat drinking water —
EN 12485:2026 brings together test methods for calcium carbonate, high-calcium lime, half-burnt dolomite, magnesium oxide, calcium magnesium carbonate and dolomitic lime. - Air quality in Europe 2026: over 30 % of monitoring stations above the particulate standards that apply from 2030 —
On 30 April 2026 the European Environment Agency published the report ‘Air quality status in Europe 2026’ with monitoring station data for 2024 and 2025. In 2024 more than 12 % of stations recorded concentrations of PM10, ozone and benzo(a)pyrene (each) above the current EU standards, and more than 30 % recorded particulate matter above the standards of Directive (EU) 2024/2881 that apply from 2030. - Cosmetics: Regulation (EU) 2026/909 bans triphenyl phosphate, sets aluminium limits for 18 product categories, new limits for citral and benzyl salicylate and 10 ppm DnHexP in the UV filter DHHB —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/909 of 27 April 2026, published on 28 April, amends Annexes II, III, V and VI to Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 based on opinions of the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS). From 1 January 2027 non-compliant products may not be placed on the market, and from 1 July 2028 (for geranial and neral from 1 August 2028) they may not be made available. - NIST: new reference material SRM 1947a made from Lake Ontario trout tissue — certified mercury, PCBs, organochlorine pesticides and PBDEs, PFAS as non-certified values —
On 28 April 2026 the US NIST described the reference material SRM 1947a Great Lakes Fish Tissue, the successor to the sold-out SRM 1946 and SRM 1947. It helps laboratories monitoring contaminants in fish validate methods and control quality. - List of standards under the General Product Safety Regulation in one act: Decision (EU) 2026/901 — including the new EN 16156:2024 on cigarette ignition propensity, old editions until 27 October 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/901, published on 27 April 2026, brings together in one act the references of European standards whose fulfilment gives a presumption of safety for consumer products under Regulation (EU) 2023/988 (GPSR). It repeals Decision (EU) 2019/1698, adopted under Directive 2001/95/EC. - Lidocaine in piglets up to 7 days of age may also be injected at castration — Regulation (EU) 2026/892 amends the MRL table entry without setting a residue limit —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/892 of 23 April 2026, published on 24 April, amends the lidocaine entry in Table 1 of Regulation (EU) No 37/2010. For pigs the “No MRL required” classification is kept, but injection into the scrotum, testicles and spermatic cord is added to cutaneous and epilesional use — only in piglets up to 7 days of age. It is based on the opinion of EMA’s Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products of 4 December 2025. - Paraffin oil (CAS 8042-47-5) renewed until 30 June 2041: PAHs ≤ 0.3 mg/kg in the technical material, by 12 May 2027 data from validated methods for PAH4 and PAH8, and in the consumer risk assessment — compliance with the MOAH limits —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/870, published on 22 April 2026, renews the approval of paraffin oil (CAS No 8042-47-5, CIPAC No 898, “Paraffinum Perliquidum” according to the European Pharmacopoeia) as an active substance in plant protection products for the period from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2041. It introduces a limit for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the technical material and requires confirmatory data. - Acetamiprid in honey: Regulation (EU) 2026/876 raises the MRL from the limit of quantification of 0.05 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg; in honey the residue is acetamiprid alone, in other animal products the sum with IM-2-1 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/876 of 21 April 2026, published on 22 April, amends the MRLs for acetamiprid, aclonifen, deltamethrin, oxathiapiprolin and potassium phosphonates in selected products at the applicants’ request, at the levels recommended by EFSA. The key change for laboratories testing honey: the acetamiprid MRL in honey and other apiculture products is 1 mg/kg. - EA-4/21:2026 — new edition of the EA guidelines on small interlaboratory comparisons (up to seven participants): risk assessment, three assigned-value scenarios and EN ISO/IEC 17043:2023 requirements —
On 21 April 2026 European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) issued the second edition of EA-4/21 INF, endorsed on 26 March 2026 and applicable from publication. It tells accreditation body assessors when a comparison organised by a few laboratories among themselves can be used to monitor results under EN ISO/IEC 17025 or EN ISO 15189; organisers and participants may use it too. - REACH: after 10 May 2027, 2,4-dinitrotoluene in articles for consumers and professionals only below 0.1% by weight — new entry 83 of Annex XVII —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/859 of 20 April 2026, published on 21 April, adds entry 83 to REACH Annex XVII: after 10 May 2027, 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT, CAS 121-14-2) may not be placed on the market or used in articles for the general public or professional users at a concentration of 0.1% by weight or more. It is a category 1B carcinogen for which no DNEL can be derived. - First EU certification methodologies for permanent CO₂ removals: Regulation (EU) 2026/285 — for biochar a laboratory test of every batch, H/Corg at most 0.7 and limits for metals —
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2026/285, published on 17 April 2026, establishes under Regulation (EU) 2024/3012 (CRCF) certification methodologies for three types of permanent carbon removal: direct air capture with storage (DACCS), biogenic CO₂ capture with storage (BioCCS) and biochar carbon removal (BCR). - Draft drinking water regulation: PFAS, bisphenol A and lower metal limits —
A draft regulation of the Polish health ministry implements the EU drinking water directive. Sum of PFAS, bisphenol A, microcystin-LR and haloacetic acids join the parameter list, while limits for lead and chromium are halved. - Copper compounds in food: Regulation (EU) 2026/840 moves the MRLs to permanent Annex II and changes the residue definition to “total copper” — limits of quantification as proposed by EU reference laboratories —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/840, published on 16 April 2026, sets new maximum residue levels (MRLs) for copper compounds in food. The copper column was deleted from the temporary Part A of Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and added to Annex II. - Gravitational constant G: NIST repeated the BIPM measurement on the same torsion balance and obtained (6.67387 ± 0.00038) × 10⁻¹¹ m³ kg⁻¹ s⁻² — lower than the French result by 2.5 × 10⁻⁴ —
On 16 April 2026 the US NIST announced the result of a ten-year measurement of the gravitational constant G, published in the journal “Metrologia”. The team repeated the experiment of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) in Sèvres using the same torsion balance, at NIST’s campus in Gaithersburg, but did not reproduce the BIPM result. - Pesticide residue control programme 2026–2028: Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/824 corrects — fosetyl-Al is assessed against the phosphonic acid MRL, and the trimethylsulfonium cation in onions is tested already in 2026 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/824 of 14 April 2026, published on 15 April, corrects two substantive errors in Part C of Annex I to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/854 — the multiannual coordinated EU control programme for 2026–2028, which sets the substances, commodities and number of samples to be analysed in each Member State. - Italy changes how a scope of accreditation is written —
A new edition of document RT-23 sets out how a testing laboratory must define its field of accreditation. It applies from 1 November 2026. - NIST SRM 2781 — domestic sludge from Denver as a reference material for metals: certified values include Pb 200.8 mg/kg, Cd 12.78 mg/kg and Hg 3.68 mg/kg —
On 2 April 2026 the US NIST described reference material SRM 2781 Domestic Sludge: sludge from a domestic wastewater treatment plant in Denver, dried, ground and homogenised. Laboratories use it for quality control of heavy metal determinations in sludge used as fertiliser, to check results against levels set by the EPA. - Bixlozone — new herbicide approved until 21 April 2036: purity ≥ 960 g/kg, TBAB impurity up to 2 g/kg; EFSA — LC-MS/MS with an LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg in food and feed, metabolite 2,4-dichlorobenzoic acid in groundwater up to 2.88 µg/L, no data on the effect of water chlorination —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/747, published on 1 April 2026, approves the new active substance bixlozone (herbicide, applicant FMC International Switzerland Sarl, rapporteur Member State the Netherlands) from 21 April 2026 to 21 April 2036. It is based on the EFSA conclusion of 2 October 2024 on soil applications in winter cereals, winter oilseed rape and maize. By 21 April 2028 the applicant must submit confirmatory information — among other things on the specification of commercial production, the toxicity of several metabolites and the effect of water treatment on residues. - Five substances with no MRLs: Regulation (EU) 2026/752 adds to Annex IV, among others, lysate of the amoeba Willaertia magna, magnesium hydroxide E528 and grape seed extract — the 0.01 mg/kg default no longer applies to them —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/752 of 31 March 2026, published on 1 April, adds five plant protection active substances to Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005: processed Allium fistulosum, lysate of Willaertia magna, magnesium hydroxide E528, dried pellets of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) and Vitis vinifera seed extract. Until now the 0.01 mg/kg default under Article 18(1)(b) applied to them; inclusion in Annex IV means that MRLs are not required. - EU control programme for pesticide residues 2027–2029: Regulation (EU) 2026/748 — 683 samples per product per year, 51 from Poland, qualitative screening in at most 15% of samples —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/748, published on 1 April 2026, establishes the multiannual coordinated EU control programme for pesticide residues in food of plant and animal origin for 2027, 2028 and 2029. It applies from 1 January 2027 and replaces the programme under Regulation (EU) 2025/854. - Sampling and measurement uncertainty for pesticide residues in a single regulation —
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/765 replaced Directive 2002/63/EC. The default expanded uncertainty used when enforcing maximum residue levels is 50 %, and 20 % for copper. - Residential emission testing now covers magnetic field and wireless charging —
The fourth edition of IEC 61000-6-3 supersedes the 2020 one. It adds magnetic field emission requirements including measurement of the wireless power transfer function, and the 9–150 kHz range on the mains supply. - Slovakia: test results keep their international recognition —
The good laboratory practice working group at the OECD approved the national monitoring programme report in April 2026. - Nicotine in tea: Regulation (EU) 2026/742 keeps the temporary MRL at 0.5 mg/kg instead of the automatic reduction to 0.4 mg/kg — 0.4 mg/kg proved not generally achievable; new MRLs for cyflufenamid and fenazaquin —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/742 of 30 March 2026, published on 31 March, amends Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. The temporary MRL for nicotine in tea of 0.5 mg/kg was due to fall to 0.4 mg/kg after February 2026; monitoring data from food business operators showed that level is not generally achievable, so 0.5 mg/kg continues to apply, with new data due by 22 February 2030. - Veterinary drug residues in food: methods validated under Decision 2002/657/EC may be used until 31 December 2027 instead of 10 June 2026 — Regulation (EU) 2026/731 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/731, published on 30 March 2026, amends Regulation (EU) 2021/808 on analytical methods for residues of pharmacologically active substances in food of animal origin. It extends the transitional period for methods validated under the old rules and clarifies the sampling of feed and of ostrich eggs. - A sum of twenty-five PFAS as a quality standard for surface waters —
Directive (EU) 2026/805 amends three water directives. It sets a standard for the sum of 25 PFAS in surface waters, the sum of 20 PFAS in groundwater, and places bisphenol A among priority hazardous substances. - A new edition of the standard for inspection bodies —
On 27 March 2026 the third edition of ISO/IEC 17020 was published — the biggest change since 2012. Risk-based thinking now also covers operational processes and the validity of results. - Universal PFAS restriction: consultation until 25 May —
On 2 March 2026 the risk assessment committee backed a universal PFAS ban, and a sixty-day consultation opened on 26 March. The scope of PFAS testing in products, water and wastewater will widen markedly. - Ready-to-use Legionella media instead of in-house preparation —
A range of ready-poured plates for detecting and enumerating Legionella in water, aligned with the ISO 11731 workflow, has reached the market. It removes the most variable step of the test — preparing selective media in-house. - Peroxide value of olive oil: the new IOC method (COI/T.20/Doc. No 38) replaces chloroform with isooctane and allows potentiometric titration — the EU backed it with Decision (EU) 2026/711 —
Council Decision (EU) 2026/711 of 16 March 2026, published on 20 March, sets the Union position in the Council of Members of the International Olive Council (IOC): support for a new method for determining the peroxide value of olive oils and olive pomace oils as a safer alternative to the current COI/T.20/Doc. No 35, and for an amendment to trade standard COI/T.15/NC No 4. The IOC published the method text dated February 2026. - Biocides for cooling water and metalworking: DBNPA and the formaldehyde releasers HPT and MBO approved for at most five years as candidates for substitution, HPT not for fuel preservation — acts (EU) 2026/373, 385, 577 and 599 —
In February and March 2026 the Commission decided on three active substances meeting the exclusion criteria of Regulation (EU) No 528/2012. Implementing Regulation 2026/577 approves 2,2-dibromo-2-cyanoacetamide (DBNPA) for product-type 11 only for short-term (up to 14 days) preservation of water in closed and open cooling systems. Regulations 2026/373 and 2026/385 approve formaldehyde released from the reaction products of paraformaldehyde and 2-hydroxypropylamine in the ratios 1:1 (HPT) and 3:2 (MBO), and Decision 2026/599 does not approve HPT for product-type 6 (fuel preservation). - MID amended: measuring systems of electric vehicle chargers (MI-011) and compressed gas dispensers, including hydrogen (MI-012), get EU requirements — accuracy classes A, B and C for chargers —
Directive (EU) 2026/706 of the European Parliament and of the Council, published on 20 March 2026, amends Measuring Instruments Directive 2014/32/EU. It brings in measuring systems for electric vehicle supply equipment and for compressed gas dispensers, thermal energy meters for cooling, and adapts electricity and gas meters to smart metering, direct current and hydrogen. - NIST releases NIR-SORT 2.0 — an open dataset of fabric NIR spectra for validating fibre-content models in textile sorting; physical test materials in preparation —
On 19 March 2026 the US NIST announced NIR-SORT 2.0, an expanded collection of near-infrared (NIR) spectra and microscopy images of fabrics of known composition. It is intended for training, benchmarking and validating the classification models used in automated fibre identification. - Strain DSM 11798 reducing trichothecenes in feed (1m01) renewed until 5 April 2036 as Eggerthellaceae instead of Coriobacteriaceae: pour plates on VM agar with Oxyrase, ANI 79.9 % with the closest species — possibly a new taxon; ampicillin MIC of 8 mg/l attributed to the medium —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/549, published on 16 March 2026, renews until 5 April 2036 the authorisation of a preparation of the bacterial strain DSM 11798 (isolated from bovine rumen content; applicant BIOMIN GmbH) as a technological additive reducing contamination of feed by trichothecenes for pigs, poultry and ornamental birds, and repeals Regulations (EU) No 1016/2013 and (EU) 2017/930 — although the Polish title of the act speaks of “amending” them and the English one of “repealing”. EFSA (opinion of 20 March 2025) assigned the strain to the family Eggerthellaceae and found the additive still safe; it is a skin and respiratory sensitiser. - Weizmannia faecalis DSM 32016 (4b1900) authorised together with amprolium and narasin/nicarbazin: compatibility confirmed only after showing that spores without heat treatment at 80 °C germinate less and counting on MRS agar underestimates the result —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/553, published on 16 March 2026, replaces the annexes to Regulations (EU) 2020/1755 and (EU) 2024/1054 for the spore preparation of Weizmannia faecalis DSM 32016 (formerly Bacillus coagulans; TechnoSpore50, holder: Biochem Zusatzstoffe Handels- und Produktionsges. mbH), adding amprolium and the combination of narasin with nicarbazin to the list of coccidiostats with which it may be used. In its 2023 opinion EFSA could not accept compatibility with narasin/nicarbazin; the opinion of 25 June 2025 revised that result on the basis of new data on spore germination. - Refusal for great burdock root extract in feed for dogs and cats: up to 77 % of the additive uncharacterised, marker inulin determined by AOAC 997.08 (IEC-PAD), no method for feed — withdrawal by 5 October 2026 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/548, published on 16 March 2026, refuses authorisation of great burdock (Arctium lappa L.) extract — a flavouring compound previously authorised without a time limit under Directive 70/524/EEC — for cats and dogs. In its opinion of 17 March 2021 EFSA could not conclude on safety or efficacy; the applicant gave no substantive reply to the Commission letter of 3 September 2021, the message of 4 February 2025 or later reminders. - Ginseng extract for dogs and cats rejected: up to 73 % of the extract of unknown composition, ginsenosides determined spectrophotometrically as Rg1, no method for premixtures and feed; withdrawal by 5 October 2026 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/585, published on 16 March 2026, refuses authorisation of an extract from the roots of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer as a flavouring for cats and dogs and orders the withdrawal of the additive and premixtures by 5 July 2026, and of feed materials and compound feed made with them by 5 October 2026. EFSA could not assess safety because the applicant did not provide a full characterisation of the additive. - Eurachem/CITAC: new guide on evaluating measurement uncertainty from in-house precision and recovery data —
On 16 March 2026 Eurachem announced the first edition of the Eurachem/CITAC Guide “Evaluation of measurement uncertainty from in-house precision and recovery data”. It describes how to evaluate the uncertainty of chemical measurements from intermediate precision and recovery data collected during method validation or verification of a standard method. - Machinery: 21 harmonised standards (incl. EN 415-2:2025, EN 13852-1:2025, EN 17744:2025), restrictions on EN 474-1:2022 (test at 125 % and 110 % of Q1 and Q2) and EN 1501-5:2021, and a correction from “tall trees” to “tall branches” in the restriction on EN 50434 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/546, published on 13 March 2026, adds 21 standards — new and revised — to the list of harmonised standards for the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC (Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/1586) and keeps EN 474-1:2022 (earth-moving machinery) and EN 1501-5:2021 (lifting devices of refuse collection vehicles) with restrictions. With retroactive effect from 13 January 2026 it also corrects the example in the restriction of row 622a (EN 50434, mains operated shredders and chippers). - Recreational craft: EN ISO 8665-2:2024 (power measurement and declaration for electric propulsion up to 24 m) and EN ISO 15085:2024 (falling overboard) in the list of harmonised standards; the 2003 edition with amendments A1 and A2 deleted from 13 August 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/550, published on 13 March 2026, adds to the list of harmonised standards for Directive 2013/53/EU on recreational craft and personal watercraft (Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/1954) the new standard EN ISO 8665-2:2024 on power measurements and declarations for electric marine propulsion systems (row 9a) and the revised EN ISO 15085:2024 (row 50a). It deletes row 50 with the 2003 edition from 13 August 2027. - Czechia: flexible scope of accreditation in four degrees of freedom —
A laboratory may modify methods within its granted degree of freedom as long as the measurement principle stays. The list of such activities was updated on 13 March 2026. - Xanthan gum from four Xanthomonas campestris strains authorised in feed: viable cells of the production strains were excluded by plating 1 g (30 °C, 6 days) and MALDI-TOF or PCR identification, specification 4.2–5 % CO₂ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/538, published on 12 March 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 1 April 2036 xanthan gum produced with Xanthomonas campestris ATCC SD 7012, DSM 23730, CNCM I-4861 or CIP 74.23 as a stabiliser and thickener in feed for all animal species except cats, dogs and aquatic species. In its 2021 opinion EFSA could not conclude on the safety of the additive; the opinion of 6 May 2025, based on new data on the strains, closed that question. For dogs at a higher level EFSA will prepare a separate opinion. - Acacia gum in feed as emulsifier and stabiliser: efficacy confirmed with Turbiscan (TSI 51.3 without the gum against 6.1 with it), genotoxicity ruled out by an OECD 487 micronucleus test, limits from 278 to 4889 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/540, published on 12 March 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 1 April 2036 acacia gum — the dried exudate from stems and branches of Acacia senegal or closely related Acacia species — as an emulsifier and stabiliser in feed for all animal species; the applicant withdrew the functional groups “thickeners” and “gelling agents”. In its 2022 opinion EFSA could not conclude on safety for long-living and reproductive animals or on efficacy; the amending opinion of 24 June 2025 closed both questions. - Patchouli oil in feed: patchouli alcohol 27–35 % as the marker determined by GC-FID according to ISO 3757, all 23 GC-MS peaks identified in five batches, recommended maximum from 7.5 to 60 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/528, published on 12 March 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 1 April 2036 the essential oil obtained by steam distillation of dried leaves of Pogostemon cablin Benth. as a flavouring in feed for all animal species — without a maximum content, with a recommended maximum stated on the label. Use in water for drinking was not authorised, as Regulation 1831/2003 does not provide for it for flavourings. - Nematophagous fungus Duddingtonia flagrans NCIMB 30336 in feed for grazing animals: viable chlamydospores counted on YMA agar and by the MPN method, dose 3 × 10⁴ chlamydospores per kg body weight per day —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/534, published on 12 March 2026, extends the authorisation of the preparation of Duddingtonia flagrans NCIMB 30336 from dairy cattle, sheep and goats to grazing cattle, sheep and goats other than dairy animals and to camelids, cervids, equines, pigs and rabbits — until 1 April 2036. The additive is meant to reduce the number of infective nematode larvae on pasture. - Monensin sodium (Coxidin) renewed with the maximum dose lowered from 125 to 120 mg/kg: a new Daphnia magna reproduction study according to OECD 211 closed the aquatic risk assessment, EU-wide monitoring of Eimeria resistance from 2031 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/532, published on 12 March 2026, renews until 1 April 2036 the authorisation of monensin sodium (Coxidin, Huvepharma N.V.) in the wheat bran and calcium carbonate formulations for chickens for fattening and reared for laying (100–120 mg/kg) and turkeys for fattening and reared for breeding up to 16 weeks (60–100 mg/kg). It repeals Regulations (EC) No 109/2007 and (EU) No 140/2012. - SSbD revised: Recommendation (EU) 2026/510 updates the 2022 framework — scoping analysis first, tiered assessment from qualitative to quantitative and a new socio-economic dimension —
Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/510 of 6 March 2026, published on 10 March, sets out the revised European assessment framework for “safe and sustainable by design” (SSbD) chemicals and materials. It is a voluntary decision-making approach for innovation, addressed to industry, including SMEs and start-ups, Member States, universities and research and technology organisations; it builds on Recommendation (EU) 2022/2510 and two testing phases of the framework. - Italy: official food control analyses excluded from value added tax —
On 9 March 2026 the tax administration confirmed that fees for analyses done by official laboratories within food and feed controls fall outside value added tax. - GM sugar beet KWS20-1 (KB-KWS2Ø1-6) tolerant to glyphosate, dicamba and glufosinate: authorisation for food and feed, detection by event-specific real-time PCR, reference materials AOCS 0523-B and 1206-A — decision adopted without an opinion of the committee or the appeal committee —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/457, published on 3 March 2026, authorises for 10 years the placing on the market of food, food ingredients and feed produced from genetically modified sugar beet KWS20-1 (holders: Bayer CropScience LLC and KWS SAAT SE & Co. KGaA), which expresses the cp4 epsps, dmo and pat genes. The application does not cover cultivation or import of viable material. The EFSA GMO Panel (opinion of 12 May 2025) found the beet as safe as its conventional counterpart; neither the Standing Committee nor the appeal committee delivered an opinion, so the decision was adopted by the Commission. - JRC: bio-based and biodegradable plastics are about 0.5% of global plastics production — capacity of 2.3 Mt set to reach about 4.7 Mt by 2030, production 1.5–2 times more costly —
On 3 March 2026 the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) presented its policy brief “Bio-based plastics in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy”. It says bio-based and biodegradable plastics accounted in 2025 for about 0.5% of global plastics production, which exceeds 431 million tonnes a year, and that their uptake is held back by technological maturity, cost and sustainable feedstock sourcing. - New Detergents Regulation (EU) 2026/405: biodegradability tests and tests of detergents with microorganisms only in GLP or accredited laboratories, applying from 23 September 2029 —
Regulation (EU) 2026/405 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 February 2026, published on 2 March 2026, replaces Detergents Regulation (EC) No 648/2004. It applies from 23 September 2029 (except for the biodegradability deadlines for films and other organic ingredients) and introduces a digital product passport, requirements for detergents containing microorganisms and a ban on detergents tested on animals to meet the requirements of the regulation. - Concrete standard EN 206 split into two parts — new edition supersedes EN 206:2013+A2:2021 —
On 19 January 2026 CEN approved EN 206-1:2026, issued in March 2026. Part 1 covers performance, requirements, factory production control and assessment criteria for individual values. - Conformity assessment and certification of concrete in a separate standard, EN 206-2:2026 —
The second part of the split concrete standard, approved by CEN on 19 January 2026 and issued in March 2026, covers conformity assessment and certification only. - France tightens the requirements for asbestos laboratories —
Revision 15 of the reference document for asbestos laboratories applies from 1 March 2026 and covers testing, calibration and sampling. - China: new quality control standards for food testing laboratories —
From 1 March 2026 new editions of laboratory quality control standards apply — separately for physico-chemical and for microbiological food testing. - China: 370 new pesticide residue limits and 14 new methods —
The new edition of the national food safety standard on maximum pesticide residue limits applies from 1 March 2026 and replaces the 2021 and 2022 editions. - Vitamin B1 in feed for another 10 years: thiamine hydrochloride and mononitrate with four chromatographic methods — from HPLC-UV per the US Pharmacopeia to HPLC-FLD with post-column derivatisation for drinking water; the mononitrate preparation withdrawn —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/460 of 26 February 2026, published on 27 February, renews until 19 March 2036 the authorisation of thiamine hydrochloride (3a820, purity at least 98.5% on an anhydrous basis) and thiamine mononitrate (3a821, at least 98%) as nutritional additives for all animal species, also in water for drinking. The authorisation of a thiamine mononitrate preparation was not renewed because the applicant withdrew its application. - Listeria in ready-to-eat food: from 1 July 2026 “not detected in 25 g” throughout the shelf-life unless the producer shows that 100 cfu/g will not be exceeded — the EURL Lm has updated its guidance on challenge tests —
On 26 February 2026 the EU Reference Laboratory for Listeria monocytogenes (EURL Lm) published an amendment to its technical guidance on challenge tests and durability studies for ready-to-eat foods. The document supports the application of Regulation (EU) 2024/2895, which from 1 July 2026 extends the “not detected in 25 g” criterion to products placed on the market throughout their shelf-life where the producer cannot show that 100 cfu/g will not be exceeded. - Feed: 6-phytase from Komagataella phaffii CGMCC 7.370 (4a64) authorised for pigs, poultry and ornamental birds — 1000 U/kg for laying poultry, 500 U/kg for growing poultry, sows and boars, 750 U/kg for pigs for fattening; activity determined by EN ISO 30024 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/404, published on 25 February 2026, authorises until 17 March 2036 a preparation of 6-phytase (EC 3.1.3.26) produced with Komagataella phaffii CGMCC 7.370 (holder of the authorisation: Victory Enzymes GmbH) as a zootechnical additive in the functional group of digestibility enhancers. It rests on two EFSA opinions: of 23 November 2022 (safety and efficacy in laying hens) and of 26 June 2025 (efficacy in growing poultry and pigs, assessed on new trials). - L-cystine from genetically modified Escherichia coli DSM 34232 as a flavouring in feed: IEC-VIS/FLD, no strain DNA in PCR, mercury of 0.36–0.42 mg/kg in the first batches reduced below 0.1 mg/kg and a recommended maximum of 25 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/402, published on 25 February 2026, authorises until 17 March 2036 L-cystine produced with Escherichia coli DSM 34232 as a flavouring for all animal species. The applicant withdrew the part of the application concerning use as an amino acid, and use in water for drinking was not authorised. No maximum content was set, but the label must state a recommended maximum content of 25 mg/kg complete feed. - Pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila in supplements and foods for special medical purposes now also for adolescents from 12 years: from 2.1 × 10¹⁰ to 3.4 × 10¹⁰ cells per day, viable cells below 10 CFU/g, no extension to pregnant women —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/391, published on 24 February 2026, amends the conditions of use of the novel food “pasteurised Akkermansia muciniphila”: food supplements and foods for special medical purposes with these bacteria may now also be intended for people aged 12–18. The application also covered pregnant and lactating women, but EFSA concluded that safety for them had not been established. The authorisation holder changed its name from A-Mansia Biotech S.A. to the Akkermansia Company SA. - Lacto-N-tetraose from a new E. coli K-12 MG1655 strain: LNT ≥ 85 % determined by UPLC-RI, endotoxins ≤ 10 EU/mg by the LAL test, and aflatoxin M1 ≤ 0.025 µg/kg — in the Polish language version of the annex mistakenly µg/g —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/397, published on 24 February 2026, authorises lacto-N-tetraose (LNT) produced by Inbiose N.V. with a genetically modified derivative strain of E. coli K-12 MG1655 (ATCC 700926) in the same food categories and amounts as the LNT authorised in 2020 — among others 0.8 g/L in infant formula. Data protection lasts until 16 March 2031. - Defatted rapeseed powder (NapiFeryn BioTech, Łódź) as a novel food: protein 28–45 %, glucosinolates ≤ 0.1 mmol/kg, ethanol and ethyl acetate < 200 mg/kg — the name “protein-fibre concentrate” rejected —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/386, published on 23 February 2026, authorises from 15 March 2026 the powder remaining after extraction with water and organic solvents (ethanol and ethyl acetate) of cold-pressed rapeseed cake from 00 varieties of Brassica napus L. and Brassica rapa L. The applicant — the Łódź-based company NapiFeryn BioTech — called the product a protein-fibre concentrate; the Commission found this name misleading, as protein is below 50 % and it was not shown that the fibre meets the definition in Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. - Heavy-duty vehicles: PEMS tests must also record readings of the on-board OBFCM device, and emissions type-approval requires compliance with Regulation 2025/2161 — Regulation (EU) 2026/361, new “E+” character from 1 July 2027 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/361 of 19 February 2026, published on 20 February, amends Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 (Euro VI). It links emissions type-approval to the requirements of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2161 for on-board fuel and energy consumption monitoring devices (OBFCM) and on-board mass monitoring (OBMM), and adds to the portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) test report the data needed to assess OBFCM accuracy. - Washing machines in the Trade Inspection laboratory: energy use, water use and spin noise matched the energy labels in all 10 models —
On 20 February 2026 Poland’s competition and consumer protection office UOKiK reported on a check of 10 washing machine models in which a laboratory verified the parameters declared by suppliers on the energy labels. All models passed the tests — the declarations matched the results; the only formal irregularity, in online sales, has already been corrected by the trader. - Pyrimethanil renewed until 30 April 2041: limits for cyanamide 0.5, aniline 4 and acetylacetone 0.1 g/kg; EFSA — multi-residue method DFG S19 (LC-MS/MS, LOQ 0.01 mg/kg), ADI lowered from 0.17 to 0.013 mg/kg bw; a corrigendum moved the date of application to 1 May 2026 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/355, published on 19 February 2026, renews the approval of the fungicide pyrimethanil from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2041. A corrigendum of 30 April 2026 changed the date of application in Article 3 from 1 April to 1 May 2026. It is based on the EFSA conclusion of 3 September 2024 (uses in grapevine, pome fruit, strawberry and lettuce); pyrimethanil does not meet the criteria for an endocrine disruptor. Member States must pay particular attention to operators, bystanders and residents, aquatic organisms, bees and other pollinators. - Spinosad renewed until 1 April 2041 after a reassessment of endocrine properties: monitoring as the sum of spinosyn A and D (QuEChERS, LC-MS/MS, LOQ 0.005 mg/kg), ADI 0.024 and ARfD 0.1 mg/kg bw; in the provisional EFSA assessment indoor lettuce — 309 % of the ARfD —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/351, published on 19 February 2026, renews from 1 April 2026 to 1 April 2041 the approval of the insecticide spinosad and lifts the restriction to insecticide uses. In 2018 EFSA found that the interim endocrine disruption criteria then in force might be met; after the Commission mandate of 14 January 2019 and new studies, the updated conclusion of 12 December 2024 states that spinosad does not meet these criteria. A corrigendum of 17 April 2026 changed the date of the renewal report in the annexes from 11 December 2025 to 21 January 2026. - L-arginine from Escherichia coli CCTCC M 20231961: IEC-VIS/FLD, deoxynivalenol above 500 µg/kg in two of three batches, losses in premixture up to 31.9 % after 6 months —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/352, published on 19 February 2026, authorises until 11 March 2036 L-arginine (at least 98.5 % DM) from genetically modified E. coli CCTCC M 20231961 for all animal species, in feed and water for drinking. EFSA recommended attention to deoxynivalenol during production. - L-histidine from Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80389 authorised in feed as an amino acid and a flavouring — with a histamine limit of 100 ppm and ion-exchange chromatography with post-column derivatisation —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/353 of 18 February 2026, published on 19 February, authorises until 11 March 2036 L-histidine (3c353, at least 90% on a dry matter basis) and L-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate (3c354, at least 98%, with at least 72% histidine) produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80389 — as nutritional (amino acids) and sensory (flavouring) additives for all animal species. In both, histamine may not exceed 100 ppm. - Lacticaseibacillus huelsenbergensis DSM 115424 as a silage additive: 4 × 10¹¹ CFU/g, enumeration on MRS agar according to EN 15787, PEG 4000 as a cryoprotectant at most 0.025 mg/kg silage —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/348, published on 18 February 2026, authorises until 10 March 2036 a preparation of Lacticaseibacillus huelsenbergensis DSM 115424 (at least 4 × 10¹¹ CFU/g) as a silage additive for all animal species and all fresh plant materials, at a dose of at least 1 × 10⁸ CFU/kg fresh material. - JRC: certified reference material ERM-BD300 — cooked rice with cereulide at 11.3 ± 0.8 µg/kg for checking LC-MS/MS methods according to ISO 18465 —
On 18 February 2026 the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) announced the certified reference material ERM-BD300 for determining cereulide — a Bacillus cereus toxin — in starch-rich food. Food control laboratories can use it to verify and validate their methods. - The carbon footprint of industrial batteries must be declared —
From 18 February 2026 industrial batteries above 2 kWh require a verified carbon footprint declaration. It must rest on calculated life-cycle data. - NIST: reference material RM 8043 for forensic laboratories — the first to include degraded DNA and mixtures from two and three people —
On 17 February 2026 the US NIST announced the reference material RM 8043 Forensic DNA Resource Samples. It lets crime laboratories check whether their methods give correct results for degraded samples and DNA mixtures, train analysts and validate tests. - Mycotoxins in plant-based drinks: BfR tested 162 samples with a multi-analyte method validated for 92 toxins —
On 16 February 2026 the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) published an updated assessment of mycotoxins in soy, almond and oat drinks. The national reference laboratory for mycotoxins and plant toxins at BfR developed and fully validated a multi-analyte method for 92 mycotoxins and plant toxins, with limits of quantification in some cases well below 1 µg/kg. - Cybersecurity testing of radio equipment moves under the Cyber Resilience Act —
On 16 February 2026 the Commission adopted a regulation repealing delegated act 2022/30 with effect from 11 December 2027. Until that day the radio directive requirements apply, from the next one the Cyber Resilience Act takes over. - GMOs: authorisation withdrawn for oilseed rape Ms8 × Rf3 × GT73 and sub-combinations Ms8 × GT73 and Rf3 × GT73 — at the request of BASF and Bayer, as the rape was never cultivated in third countries; Decision 2021/1391 with the PCR method and reference materials AOCS 0306-F, 0306-G, 0304-B repealed —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/315, published on 13 February 2026, withdraws the authorisation for products containing, consisting of or produced from genetically modified oilseed rape Ms8 × Rf3 × GT73, Ms8 × GT73 and Rf3 × GT73, and repeals Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1391. The authorisation holders — BASF Agricultural Solutions US LLC and Bayer CropScience — requested this by letter of 3 July 2025, stating that this rape had never been cultivated in third countries and that they do not intend to place it on the market. - Maleic hydrazide may be used on crops intended for feed: the Commission lifts the requirement to label treated crops and keep livestock away from them; EFSA — the metabolite 3-pyridazinone is not genotoxic, ADI 0.13 mg/kg bw, a separate residue definition in animal commodities and proposed MRLs of up to 3 mg/kg in offal; hydrazine in the technical material ≤ 0.028 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/321, published on 13 February 2026, amends the approval conditions of maleic hydrazide (a growth regulator that suppresses sprouting) set at its renewal in 2017. It removes the condition that the label of treated crops must indicate the treatment and include instructions to avoid exposure of livestock — in practice it excluded use on crops for feed. The application was submitted by a task force (Arysta LifeScience Great Britain and Drexel Chemical Company), the rapporteur was Belgium; according to the EFSA conclusions of July 2025 the new data dispelled the concerns about the metabolite 3-pyridazinone. - Maltodextrin renewed as a low-risk insecticidal and acaricidal active substance from 3 March 2026 to 3 March 2041: ≥ 853 g/kg maltodextrin with chain lengths of 3–20 units and a dextrose equivalent of 18–20; EFSA — no residue methods, and 0.1 µg/L may be exceeded in most groundwater scenarios simulated for winter cereals at the highest rate —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/312, published on 11 February 2026, renews the approval of maltodextrin and moves it from Part B to Part D of the list — low-risk active substances; Member States must pay particular attention to the protection of bees. The rapporteur was Ireland, the co-rapporteur France, the applicant Certis Belchim B.V., and the EFSA conclusions date from 18 February 2025. A corrigendum of 30 April 2026 changes the date of application of the act from 1 April to 3 March 2026 — the approval date in the annex. - RENURE fertilisers from processed manure: Directive (EU) 2026/288 allows an extra 80 kg N/ha a year with limits for copper, zinc, Salmonella and E. coli —
Commission Directive (EU) 2026/288 of 9 February 2026, published on 10 February, amends Nitrates Directive 91/676/EEC: Member States may authorise RENURE fertilisers (recovered nitrogen from manure) above the limit of 170 kg N/ha a year from livestock manure — within a separate additional limit of 80 kg N/ha a year. Transposition is due by 2 March 2028; the provision applies only in Member States that choose to use it. - Veterinary drug residues in the EU in 2024: 493,664 samples, 0.13% non-compliant — EFSA report on national control plans —
On 10 February 2026 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published its annual report on residues of veterinary medicinal products in live animals and animal products for 2024. The share of non-compliant samples was 0.13% (629 of 493,664), compared with 0.11% a year earlier. - An ion chromatograph half the height that dilutes the sample by itself —
A new ion chromatograph for water testing fits under fifty centimetres in height and dilutes samples that fall outside the calibration range by itself. An optional dual injection allows anions and cations to be determined in one run. - Construction products: Decision (EU) 2026/284 — new harmonised standards for heaters (EN 1-2, EN 16510-2-5, -2-7, -2-10) and permanent anchor devices EN 17235:2024, coexistence until 9 February 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/284, published on 9 February 2026, adds five standards to the list of harmonised standards under Regulation (EU) No 305/2011: four for space heating appliances and EN 17235:2024 for permanent anchor devices and safety hooks. Manufacturers assess product performance according to harmonised standards. - Prams and baby bouncers in the laboratory: design defects in 4 of 10 prams and 7 of 9 bouncers —
On 6 February 2026 UOKiK reported on a check of 19 models of prams and baby bouncers, finding irregularities in 13. The laboratory tested the prams to PN-EN 1888-1+A1:2022-09 and PN-EN 1888-2+A1:2023-05 and the bouncers to PN-EN 12790-1:2023-08. - Eurachem/CITAC: fourth edition of the Guide to Quality in Analytical Chemistry aligned with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 —
On 6 February 2026 Eurachem published the fourth edition of the Eurachem/CITAC Guide to Quality in Analytical Chemistry: An Aid to Accreditation. It replaces the 2016 edition, written for ISO/IEC 17025:2005, and reflects the changes introduced in the 2017 version of the standard, including the risk-oriented approach. - China: accreditation guidance for laboratories testing laser processing equipment —
On 4 February 2026 the national accreditation committee issued technical guidance for laboratories testing laser processing equipment. - EFSA after infant formula recalls: acute reference dose for cereulide of 0.014 µg/kg bw — risk above 0.054 µg/L in reconstituted infant formula —
On 2 February 2026 the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a rapid risk assessment of cereulide — a Bacillus cereus toxin detected in infant formulae from several manufacturers, which triggered recalls in many countries. The values are meant to help risk managers decide when to withdraw a product from the market. - BfR completes a standardised test procedure for hunting rifle bullets — fewer metal fragments in game meat, method checked in an interlaboratory study —
On 2 February 2026 Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) announced the completion of its project, running since 2019, to develop a standardised test procedure for hunting rifle bullets. The procedure was checked in an interlaboratory study; the results were to be presented at the symposium “Wild – erforscht!” on 4–5 February. - Technical cleanliness: the third edition of the guideline moves into electronics —
The third edition of VDA 19.1 supersedes the 2015 one. Alongside mechanical damage mechanisms it now covers short circuits, clearance and creepage distances, contact resistance and optical blockage. - The UK PFAS plan: a statutory review of drinking water rules announced —
In February 2026 the government published a national PFAS plan, announcing a review of water quality rules with a view to setting binding limits for these compounds. - UK water regulator: 48 PFAS compounds and three action tiers —
Water companies monitor the sum of 48 named PFAS and report a result at or above 0.1 µg/l as a water quality event requiring action. - Ethephon, propamocarb and dimoxystrobin: ethephon MRL in blueberries from 20 to 0.01 mg/kg, in apples 0.7 mg/kg, in cereals a residue definition including conjugates; propamocarb in lettuces 30 mg/kg —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/215, published on 30 January 2026, amends Annexes II and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and applies from 19 August 2026. For cereals the residue definition for enforcement now reads “sum of ethephon free and conjugated, expressed as ethephon”, and the MRLs for dimoxystrobin, whose approval was not renewed, drop to the limits of determination of Annex V. - Methanol in winter screenwash and de-icers: 7 of 50 batches over the limit, six of them above 3 % —
The UOKiK laboratory in Łódź tested 50 batches of winter screenwash, screenwash concentrate and windscreen de-icer taken in Trade Inspection checks in 2025. Seven batches exceeded the permitted methanol content — in consumer products it must be below 0.6 % by mass under Annex XVII to the REACH Regulation. - Review of food import controls (2019/1793): 50 % of consignments of pistachios from Türkiye and chilli peppers from Rwanda and Thailand, new controls on strawberries from Egypt, end of increased ethylene oxide controls on vanilla, cloves and okra from India and of aflatoxin and ochratoxin A controls on rice from India —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/194, published on 29 January 2026, replaces Annexes I and II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 after the six-monthly review based on RASFF notifications and the results of Member States’ official controls in the first half of 2025. It changes the frequency of identity and physical checks for more than a dozen commodity–country pairs. - Flavouring FL 16.137 hesperetin dihydrochalcone authorised up to 10 mg/kg in 14 food categories; EFSA based its conclusion on addition solely as a solution in 1,2-propanediol (up to 20 % w/w), which the entry in the list does not contain —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/175, published on 27 January 2026, enters hesperetin dihydrochalcone (FL No 16.137, CAS 35400-60-3) in the Union list of flavouring substances (Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008) with a limit of 10 mg/kg in 14 food categories. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 23 October 2024 (FGE.420). On 12 February 2026 a corrigendum was published that replaces the whole annex. - Ecodesign of welding equipment: EN 14717:2024 “Welding and allied processes – Environmental check list” as the only entry of a new list of harmonised standards for Regulation (EU) 2019/1784 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/153, published on 27 January 2026, publishes in the Official Journal the reference of harmonised standard EN 14717:2024 drafted in support of Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1784 laying down ecodesign requirements for welding equipment. The annex of the decision contains a single row. - New flavouring substance FL 16.136 (3-[3-(2-isopropyl-5-methyl-cyclohexyl)-ureido]-butyric acid ethyl ester) — 1.7 to 20 mg/kg in 13 food categories; EFSA: 16 stereoisomers, a nanoparticle fraction, assessment valid only for a solution in propan-1-ol; 4 CAS numbers corrected alongside —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/172, published on 27 January 2026, enters in the Union list of flavourings (Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008) the substance FL 16.136 (CAS 1160112-20-8, JECFA 2203) with a reference to the EFSA evaluation, and corrects the CAS numbers of four substances: FL 08.017, 08.127, 16.041 and 16.132. The application was submitted on 16 March 2020; EFSA adopted its opinion (FGE.418) on 16 December 2024 — the applicant was Symrise AG. - Clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin (1g568) renewed until 16 February 2036: XRD in the annex, in the EFSA opinion also ICP-AES and TEM — 83–85 % of particles (by number) below 500 nm; nickel at 0.6–1.8 mg/kg makes the additive a sensitiser, dusting potential up to 4305 mg/m³ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/167, published on 27 January 2026, renews until 16 February 2036 the authorisation of clinoptilolite of sedimentary origin as a binder and anticaking agent for all animal species, up to 10 000 mg/kg complete feed, and repeals Regulation (EU) No 651/2013. In its opinion of 19 March 2025 EFSA found the additive still safe; in new studies it did not irritate skin or eyes and did not sensitise the skin, but because of nickel it must be treated as a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Following EFSA’s recommendation the 10 000 mg/kg limit now applies to clinoptilolite from all sources combined, not only the sedimentary one. - Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBS 493.94 (Yea-Sacc®, 4a1704) for dairy and fattening ruminants renewed until 16 February 2036: pour plates on CGYE agar to EN 15789, PCR identification to CEN/TS 15790; eye protection only for the prill form —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/168, published on 27 January 2026, renews until 16 February 2036 the authorisation of a preparation of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBS 493.94 (holder: All-Technology (Ireland) Limited, in 2014 Alltech France) as a gut flora stabiliser for ruminants for milk production or reproduction and ruminants for fattening (except lambs and sheep for fattening), and repeals Regulation (EU) No 1109/2014. In its opinion of 19 March 2025 EFSA found the additive still safe; the larger-prill form (Yea-Sacc® TS) does not irritate skin or eyes, the prill form (Yea-Sacc® C) irritates the eyes, and both are skin and respiratory sensitisers. - Fumaric acid in feed renewed only for terrestrial animals: as a preservative determined by ion chromatography with conductivity detection according to EN 17294, as a flavouring — by GC-MS-RTL; for aquatic animals only the former flavouring authorisation remains —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/171, published on 27 January 2026, renews until 16 February 2036 the authorisation of fumaric acid (≥ 99.5 %, chemical synthesis) as a preservative and flavouring in feed for terrestrial animals, repeals Regulation 1078/2013 and amends Regulation 2017/56 so that the former flavouring authorisation now covers only aquatic species. EFSA could not conclude on safety for aquatic animals, and the applicant withdrew the request for them and for the new use as an acidity regulator. - Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC R404 yeast (4b1871) renewed until 15 February 2036: counts on CGYE agar to EN 15789, PCR identification to CEN/TS 15790 — the new annex says “cows” instead of “dairy cows” and 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/animal/day is now a minimum, not a recommended dose —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/155, published on 26 January 2026, renews until 15 February 2036 the authorisation of a preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NCYC R404 yeast (isolated from silage; holder: Volac International Ltd) as a gut flora stabiliser and repeals Regulation (EU) 2015/502. The application and the EFSA opinion of 18 March 2025 concerned dairy cows; the title and annex of the new act (PL and EN) refer to “cows”, while the recitals refer to dairy cows. EFSA confirmed the species by phylogenomic analysis and found the additive still safe; it should be considered a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser. - Eucalyptus tincture in feed only for animals for fattening: markers 1,8-cineole (GC-FID) and gallic acid (HPTLC), methyleugenol ≤ 0.00012 %, and for long-living animals analyses of acylphloroglucinols were missing —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/178, published on 26 January 2026, after re-evaluation authorises until 15 February 2036 a tincture from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. (water/ethanol extraction) as a flavouring for animals for fattening: turkeys, chickens, pigs, calves, sheep, goats and cattle for fattening, camelids for fattening, rabbits and salmonids other than broodstock. EFSA could not assess safety for long-living and reproductive animals; the applicant then withdrew the application for the other species, and the additive was withdrawn from the market for them. - Sepiolitic clay authorised up to 20 000 mg/kg for all species: XRD with XRF or AAS for characterisation, absence of asbestos confirmed by XRD and SEM-EDX, nickel ≤ 20.3 mg/kg, and the content in trial feeds was checked via SiO₂, MgO and Al₂O₃ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/154, published on 26 January 2026, authorises until 15 February 2036 sepiolitic clay (a hydrated magnesium silicate of sedimentary origin, ≥ 40 % sepiolite and ≥ 25 % illite) as a binder and anticaking agent for all animal species for which it was not yet authorised, and in the 2023 authorisation raises the maximum content for salmonids from 17 600 and for chickens for fattening from 10 000 to 20 000 mg/kg feed. It rests on two new tolerance studies assessed by EFSA on 20 March 2025. - Blast chillers and freezers: EN ISO 22042:2021 with amendment A1:2024 a harmonised standard for ecodesign from 26 January 2026; the manufacturer declares capacity, temperature cycle and energy consumption in kWh per kg of food —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/151, published on 26 January 2026 and applicable from the day of publication, publishes in the Official Journal the reference of EN ISO 22042:2021 “Blast chillers and freezers for professional use — Classification, requirements and test conditions” as amended by EN ISO 22042:2021/A1:2024. CEN drew up the standard under standardisation request M/495 for Regulation (EU) 2015/1095. - EA-4/23:2026 — opinions and interpretations in accredited laboratory reports: a new definition without decision rules or numerical risk, an unbroken chain of accreditation for external services, and acceptable and unacceptable examples —
EA published EA-4/23 INF:2026 (rev03 of 26 January 2026, approved on 22 January, applicable from publication) on the assessment and accreditation of opinions and interpretations under EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (clauses 6.2.6 and 7.8.7). It aims to harmonise the approach of accreditation bodies and the way opinions and interpretations are shown to customers in scopes of accreditation. - Benfluralin, benthiavalicarb and penflufen no longer approved: Regulation (EU) 2026/147 lowers MRLs to the limits of quantification — 0.01 mg/kg in most products, 0.05 mg/kg in tea, spices and honey, among others — from 12 August 2026 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/147 of 22 January 2026, published on 23 January, deletes the MRLs for benfluralin, benthiavalicarb and penflufen from Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and sets them at the limits of quantification in Annex V. The approvals of these substances have expired, authorisations for plant protection products have been withdrawn, and there are no Codex MRLs or import tolerances. - Chlormequat in oats 30 mg/kg instead of 15 mg/kg, metalaxyl-M in honey 0.1 mg/kg and an import tolerance for trifloxystrobin in linseed of 0.4 mg/kg — Regulation (EU) 2026/140 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/140 of 22 January 2026, published on 23 January, amends the MRLs for acequinocyl, chlormequat, metalaxyl-M, pyraclostrobin, sulfoxaflor and trifloxystrobin in selected products at applicants’ request, at the levels recommended by EFSA. It enters into force on the twentieth day after publication. - Weight training benches in the laboratory: 5 of 9 models with design defects under PN-EN ISO 20957 —
On 23 January 2026 UOKiK reported on a check of training equipment in which a laboratory tested 9 models of weight training benches to PN-EN ISO 20957-1 and PN-EN ISO 20957-4. Five models had design defects and 7 had marking deficiencies; all 9 were found non-compliant. - Carvacrol (Nimicoat) for weaned piglets rejected: two efficacy studies instead of the required three, studies with diarrhoea in up to 80 % of control animals excluded, removal of data from one room considered unjustified —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/119, published on 21 January 2026, refuses authorisation of a carvacrol preparation (applicant: Techna France Nutrition) as an other zootechnical additive for weaned piglets. Regulation (EC) No 429/2008 and EFSA’s 2018 guidance require significant effects in three long-term efficacy studies, and the applicant provided two. - Ponceau 4R authorised in baits for freshwater fish up to 15 mg/kg: colouring efficacy shown by colorimetry in the CIELAB space (ΔE 8.03 on average), the dye in feed is determined by LC-MS/MS —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/108, published on 19 January 2026, authorises ponceau 4R until 8 February 2036 as a colourant in baits scattered in freshwater to attract food-producing fish — at most 15 mg/kg complementary feed. The colourant may not be used in feed for aquaculture. - L-lysine sulphate from Corynebacterium glutamicum CGMCC 23982 (3c330) until 5 February 2036: IEC-VIS/FLD to EN ISO 17180, sulphate to Ph. Eur. 20301, max. 10 000 mg/kg feed; in the batches ochratoxin A 11.4–16.5 µg/kg, DON up to 351 µg/kg, cadaverine 939–955 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/93, published on 16 January 2026, authorises until 5 February 2036 L-lysine sulphate produced by a non-genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum CGMCC 23982 (obtained by conventional mutagenesis) as a nutritional additive for all animal species, in feed and in water for drinking. In its opinion of 18 March 2025 EFSA found it safe in feed but had concerns about water for drinking; the Commission considered water hygiene a matter for Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 and required a warning on the label. The additive is irritant to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract. In recitals 3 and 5 of the Polish text the strain is named “KCCM 23982”; the English text uses CGMCC throughout. - Enterococcus lactis DSM 7134 (formerly E. faecium; 4b1841) for sows renewed until 5 February 2036: counts on bile esculin azide or Slanetz-Bartley agar (EN 15788), PFGE or sequencing — no irritation data for the granulated form —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/103, published on 16 January 2026, renews until 5 February 2036 the authorisation of a preparation of Enterococcus lactis DSM 7134 (Bonvital, isolated from grass; holder: Lactosan GmbH&Co.KG) as a gut flora stabiliser for sows and repeals Regulation (EU) No 1083/2014. The strain, authorised in 2014 as E. faecium, was reassigned to E. lactis on the basis of its genome sequence in a 2023 EFSA opinion; the opinion of 19 March 2025 confirmed that it remains safe and that the criteria for assessing E. faecium also apply to E. lactis. - Celery seed and caraway oils in feed: Regulation (EU) 2026/96 sets limits for furocoumarins (bergapten ≤ 0.001%) and perillaldehyde, maximum contents in feed and GC-FID methods; the additives are withdrawn for cats and ornamental fish —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/96 of 15 January 2026, published on 16 January, authorises until 5 February 2036 celery seed essential oil (2b52-eo) and caraway essential oil (2b112-eo) as flavouring compounds in feed — for poultry, pigs, ruminants, camelids, horses, rabbits, salmonids and minor fish species, and dogs. Because of perillaldehyde and furocoumarins it sets maximum contents in complete feed, and for the remaining species, including cats and ornamental fish, it withdraws both additives from the market. - Feed additives: Regulation (EU) 2026/94 moves the list of national reference laboratories to the JRC website and changes the rules on reference samples and EURL fees —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/94 of 15 January 2026, published on 16 January, amends Regulation (EC) No 378/2005 on the duties of the EU reference laboratory for feed additives (EURL — the JRC in Geel). The list of national reference laboratories (NRLs) supporting the EURL is removed from the regulation: the JRC publishes and updates it, first with effect from 5 February 2026. - L-arginine from Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80393 (3c366) authorised for all species, also in water for drinking despite EFSA concerns; ≥ 98.5 % on dry matter, determination by IEC-VIS/FLD, authorisation until 4 February 2036 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/90, published on 15 January 2026, authorises L-arginine produced with the genetically modified strain Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80393 as a nutritional additive (amino acids) in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. It is based on EFSA opinion e9453. - Bacillus velezensis ATCC PTA-6737 (PB6, 4b1823i) for laying hens renewed until 4 February 2036 and extended to other birds for laying and breeding: minimum in the additive 8 × 10¹⁰ instead of 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g, enumeration to EN 15784, 1 × 10⁸ CFU/kg feed; fluoride 49.8–152 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/92, published on 15 January 2026, renews until 4 February 2036 the authorisation of a preparation of spores of Bacillus velezensis ATCC PTA-6737 (formerly B. subtilis; holder Kemin Europa N.V.) as a gut flora stabiliser for laying hens and minor poultry species for laying, authorises it for other birds kept for egg production or breeding and repeals Regulation (EU) 2015/1020. In its opinion of 6 May 2025 EFSA found the additive still safe, also in the more concentrated form; it does not irritate skin or eyes but is a skin and respiratory sensitiser. Polish recital 3 assigns the new use to “technological additives”, while the English text and Article 2 say zootechnical. - Smoke flavouring extract 2b0001 in dog and cat food refused: exposure to benzofuran and styrene 394–582 times above the TTC, and the “reduction” of carbonyl compounds in the act is, in EFSA’s data, an increase from 1.2–3.0 to 4.0–6.0 wt % —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/89, published on 15 January 2026, denies the renewal of the authorisation of a preparation containing smoke flavouring extract 2b0001 (Scansmoke PET SEF 7525) for dogs and cats and repeals Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1076/2014. The additive and premixtures must be withdrawn from the market by 4 May 2026, and feed materials and compound feed containing it by 4 August 2026. - 6-phytase from Trichoderma reesei CBS 126897 renewed and extended to ornamental birds, suckling piglets and other porcine species: activity in FTU determined colorimetrically according to EN ISO 30024, solid forms with a dusting potential of 0 mg/m³ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/91, published on 15 January 2026, renews until 4 February 2036 the authorisation of a preparation of 6-phytase from genetically modified Trichoderma reesei CBS 126897 (holder: AB Enzymes Finland) for poultry, weaned piglets, pigs for fattening and sows, extends it to ornamental birds, suckling piglets and minor porcine species and repeals Regulation (EU) No 292/2014. A corrigendum published on 11 August 2026 changes the description of the forms in the annex to “solid forms and liquid forms”. - Tartrazine in baits for freshwater fish up to 30 mg/kg: determined in feed by LC-MS/MS, in the additive spectrophotometrically at 426 nm, and EFSA assessed the colouring efficacy in boilies at an average ΔE*ab of 1.54 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/85, published on 15 January 2026, authorises until 4 February 2036 tartrazine as a colourant in baits for food-producing freshwater fish — up to 30 mg/kg complementary feed. The baits are scattered to attract fish in ponds and rivers when angling; the additive must not be used in feed for aquaculture. In its opinion of 17 September 2024 EFSA could not assess efficacy; it did so in its opinion of 6 May 2025 on the basis of colour measurements. - Garden shredders and chippers: EN 50434:2014 stays in the list of harmonised standards for the Machinery Directive with a restriction — no presumption of conformity for machines whose shredding means rotate faster than 300 r/min (ejected objects, foreseeable misuse) —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/80, published on 13 January 2026, settles Germany’s formal objection of 24 May 2023 to EN 50434:2014 (mains-operated shredders and chippers). It replaces row 622 in Annex I to Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/1586 with row 622a carrying a restriction concerning points 1.1.2(a) and 1.3.3 of Annex I to Directive 2006/42/EC; the standard joins the list of rows published or maintained with restrictions. - Pressure equipment: 15 harmonised standards in Decision (EU) 2026/79 — new EN 10216-2:2024 for seamless tubes, eight standards for copper and copper alloys, titanium vessels; previous editions drop out on 13 July 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/79 of 12 January 2026, published and applicable from 13 January, amends Annex I to Decision (EU) 2025/165 — the list of harmonised standards giving a presumption of conformity with Directive 2014/68/EU on pressure equipment. It adds references to 15 standards drafted by CEN under standardisation request C(2024) 1241, seven of which replace earlier editions while eight are new to the list (entries 196–203). - Cosmetics: Regulation (EU) 2026/78 aligns the annexes with new CMR classifications — silver only in powder form (toothpaste and mouthwash up to 0.05%), hexyl salicylate limits from 0.001% to 2%, new bans — from 1 May 2026 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2026/78 of 12 January 2026, published on 13 January, amends Annexes II, III, IV and V to Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 in view of substances classified as CMR by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/2564. It applies from 1 May 2026 — the same date as those classifications. - JRC introduces ERM-AE202 — an ethanol certified reference material (about 11% vol.) for wine authenticity testing by SNIF-NMR and IRMS —
On 13 January 2026 the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) announced the new certified reference material ERM-AE202 — an aqueous solution of ethanol from fermented grape sugar at about 11% vol. It is used to assess the distillation step and the accuracy of isotopic measurements with which laboratories detect the addition of exogenous sugar to grape must. - ISO 24914:2026 — general requirements for LAMP in the microbiology of the food chain —
On 13 January 2026 ISO published ISO 24914:2026 (edition 1, 16 pages, committee ISO/TC 34/SC 9). It specifies general requirements and definitions and gives guidance for the development and application of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to detect microorganisms and associated genetic markers, e.g. antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence genes. - Slovakia: PFAS testing in drinking water from 13 January 2026 —
The new indicators for total PFAS and the sum of PFAS are tested where risk management of the catchment area points to their possible presence. - Germany: the PFAS limit in drinking water is in force, some 50 laboratories are accredited —
Since 12 January 2026 the sum of twenty PFAS in drinking water must not exceed 0.1 µg/l. A second, stricter value — 0.02 µg/l for four compounds — starts in 2028. - Czechia: new drinking water limits — PFAS, bisphenol A and haloacetic acids —
From 12 January 2026 limits for new indicators apply under the Czech drinking water decree. For PFAS the value is 100 nanograms per litre. - Czechia sets up a state reference laboratory for PFAS —
The state health institute is opening a laboratory meant to settle disputed determinations of forever chemicals in drinking water. - PFAS in drinking water under mandatory control across the EU —
From 12 January 2026 testing drinking water for PFAS is mandatory across the EU. For many water laboratories that means extending their accreditation scope. - Solid fuel boilers in the laboratory: all 10 models met ecodesign requirements for efficiency and emissions —
Between June and October 2025 Poland’s Trade Inspection checked 10 models of solid fuel boilers rated up to 500 kW, and a testing laboratory verified the declared seasonal space heating energy efficiency and the seasonal emissions of particulate matter, organic gaseous compounds, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. The tests found no irregularities; in 2 models the declaration of conformity had been drawn up incorrectly. - New rules for construction products —
From 8 January 2026 most construction products fall under a new regulation. One body confirms the product type, based on results for all essential characteristics. - The Netherlands drops COD from the wastewater levy and brings in organic carbon —
From 1 January 2026 the wastewater discharge levy is based on total organic carbon determined to NEN-EN-ISO 20236:2024, not on chemical oxygen demand. The reason is the potassium dichromate, mercury and hexavalent chromium used in the old method. - Lithuania merges accreditation and standardisation into one agency —
From January 2026 the national accreditation bureau and the standardisation department work as one institution — the Lithuanian Accreditation and Standardisation Agency. - France: requirements for laboratories testing construction products —
A separate reference document sets the accreditation conditions for laboratories testing under the system of assessment and verification of constancy of performance of construction products. - USA: a method for forty PFAS across five sample types is in preparation —
The environment agency is developing a method for forty PFAS compounds in water, soil, sediment, landfill leachate and fish tissue. - Poland reshuffles laboratory work across sanitary inspection stations —
From 1 January 2026 a new list of sanitary-epidemiological stations performing laboratory tests applies, split into seven areas including water, food and chemicals. - France adds PFAS to routine sanitary control of drinking water —
From 1 January 2026 the twenty most common PFAS are a mandatory part of routine drinking water testing, with a 0.10 µg/l limit for their sum. - France introduces a confirmation visit in accreditation oversight —
From 1 January 2026 the accreditation body may run an extra assessment when there is doubt whether an audit done by an accredited body reflects reality. - Lithuania: emission measurements and soil testing only with accreditation —
Laboratories measuring pollutants emitted from sources into the environment and testing mechanical soil properties must hold accreditation. - Lithuania: the first accredited environmental laboratory in the west of the country —
The university laboratory in Klaipėda obtained accreditation for sampling and physico-chemical testing of water, wastewater, sludge and soil. - Lithuania: water testing under hygiene standard HN 24 —
Safety and quality requirements for drinking water are set by the national hygiene standard HN 24:2023; water utilities run their continuous monitoring against it. - USA: one PFAS method for wastewater, soil, sludge and tissue —
The environment agency has a validated method 1633A for PFAS in aqueous samples, solids, biosolids and tissue — by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. - USA: two new PFAS drinking water methods on the way —
The agency announces method 534 — direct injection for nine compounds — and method 563 for ultra-short-chain PFAS, expected to be finalised in 2026. - USA: change in proficiency testing fields for environmental laboratories —
From 1 January 2026 the proficiency testing tables for non-potable water replace gamma-chlordane with trans-chlordane. - China: new accreditation criteria for inspection bodies —
The national accreditation committee issued a new version of the competence criteria for inspection bodies — a document marked 2026. - China: a new list of accreditation documents for 2026 —
From 1 January 2026 an updated list of normative documents of the laboratory accreditation system applies — the list a laboratory is assessed against. - Two global accreditation organisations have merged into one —
From 1 January 2026 global accreditation cooperation is run by one organisation instead of two. Existing accreditations and certificates remain valid. - Bacillus subtilis DSM 32324 and DSM 32325 and B. amyloliquefaciens DSM 25840 (4b1894) also for laying and breeding poultry until 8 January 2036 and in a 10-fold concentrated form (3.2 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g): EN 15784, 1.6 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed or 5.4 × 10⁸ CFU/l water; in laying hens an effect in 2 of 4 trials —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2576, published on 19 December 2025, authorises until 8 January 2036 a preparation of spores of three Bacillus strains (holder: Chr. Hansen A/S, GalliPro® Fit) as a gut flora stabiliser for all poultry species for laying or breeding, in feed and in water for drinking, and amends Regulation (EU) 2020/1762 for poultry for fattening and reared, allowing a form with a tenfold higher concentration (GalliPro® Fit 10). In its opinion of 20 March 2025 EFSA found both forms safe and not irritant to the eyes, but skin and respiratory sensitisers. - L-lysine sulphate and L-lysine monohydrochloride from C. glutamicum CGMCC 7.453: IEC-VIS/FLD to EN ISO 17180, sulphate ≤ 21 % — a maximum of 10 000 mg/kg feed for the sulphate because of sulphur —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2566, published on 19 December 2025, authorises until 8 January 2036 L-lysine sulphate (3c330, ≥ 55 % lysine, ≤ 21 % sulphate) and L-lysine monohydrochloride (3c331, ≥ 78 % lysine on a dry matter basis) produced by fermentation with the genetically modified strain C. glutamicum CGMCC 7.453 for all animal species, also in water for drinking. The Commission took the 10 000 mg/kg complete feed limit for the sulphate from a 2015 EFSA opinion on another L-lysine sulphate. - L-valine from Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80365 for all species: IEC-VIS in the additive and feed, IEC-VIS or IEC-VIS/FLD in water — five batches at 98.5–99.7 %, no losses in water (1 g/L, 48 h) —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2590, published on 19 December 2025, authorises until 8 January 2036 L-valine (3c374i, ≥ 98 % on a dry matter basis) produced by fermentation with the genetically modified strain C. glutamicum KCCM 80365 (applicant: CJ Europe GmbH) as a nutritional additive for all animal species, also in water for drinking — despite EFSA’s concerns, with a mandatory label warning on amino acid balance. - REACH test methods updated: new OECD Test Guidelines 321 (bioconcentration in Hyalella azteca), 252 and 253 (endocrine disruption), in vitro methods for eyes and skin sensitisation, dustiness of nanoforms under EN 17199 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2573 of 18 December 2025, published on 19 December, amends the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 440/2008: it updates the in vitro methods for serious eye damage and skin sensitisation, adds three ecotoxicological methods and dustiness standards for nanoforms. According to the recitals, the aim is also to reduce the number of animals used in testing (Directive 2010/63/EU). - Eurachem: guide to the life cycle and qualification of analytical equipment — from user requirements to decommissioning —
On 19 December 2025 Eurachem published the guide “The Fitness for Intended Use of Analytical Equipment and Systems”, prepared by its Analytical Equipment and System Qualification Working Group. It describes the whole life cycle of instruments: design, installation, operational and performance qualification, maintaining the qualified state and decommissioning. - Xylanase and β-glucanase from Komagataella phaffii DSM 25376 and DSM 26469 (4a28) for all poultry: dose for chickens lowered from 4250/375 to 1400/120 LXU/LGU per kg, colorimetry with wheat arabinoxylan and azo-barley glucan — in the laying hen trials only xylanase was measured —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2556, published on 18 December 2025, authorises until 7 January 2036 a preparation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase from the genetically modified strains Komagataella phaffii DSM 25376 and DSM 26469 (ENZY CARBOPLUS, holder: Kaesler Nutrition GmbH) for hens, turkeys for breeding and minor poultry species, and in Regulation (EU) 2018/1090 lowers the minimum dose for chickens for fattening and reared for laying to 1400 LXU and 120 LGU/kg. EFSA (opinion of 18 March 2025) assigned the strains — formerly K. pastoris — to K. phaffii on the basis of genome sequences and found the additive safe and efficacious for all poultry; it is a respiratory sensitiser. - Deforestation-free product rules postponed by a year —
Large and medium operators apply the deforestation-free rules from 30 December 2026, smaller companies from 30 June 2027. The regulation names isotope and genetic testing outright as the way to check where the raw material came from. - Toys: EN 71-3:2019+A2:2024 (migration of certain elements) and EN 71-13:2021+A2:2024 (olfactory board games, cosmetic kits, gustative games) in the list of harmonised standards; the A1 editions until 16 June 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2519, published on 16 December 2025, enters in the list of harmonised standards for Directive 2009/48/EC on the safety of toys (Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/740) the amended standards EN 71-3:2019+A2:2024 (row 3a) and EN 71-13:2021+A2:2024 (row 9a). It deletes rows 3 and 9 with the A1 editions from 16 June 2027. A corrigendum of 13 March 2026 adds the missing prefix “EN” in row 3a. - The first EU soil law sets requirements for laboratories —
The soil monitoring directive entered into force on 16 December 2025 and countries have three years to transpose it. For the first time minimum quality requirements are set for laboratories analysing soil. - Xylanase, glucanase and xyloglucanase from Trichoderma citrinoviride DSM 33578 (4a39) for laying hens and piglets until 1 January 2036: three colorimetric methods on azurine substrates, 1500 EPU, 100 CU and 100 XGU/kg; batches had a ratio of about 7:1:1 instead of 15:1:1 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2503, published on 12 December 2025, authorises until 1 January 2036 a preparation of three enzymes produced by a non-genetically modified strain of Trichoderma citrinoviride DSM 33578 (holder: Huvepharma EOOD, product Huvezym® neXo) as a digestibility enhancer for poultry other than poultry for fattening and reared, and for pigs other than sows — those categories had already been authorised. After its opinions of 2022 and 2024, EFSA only in its opinion of 6 May 2025, based on new trials in laying hens and weaned piglets, considered the additive potentially efficacious in all poultry and all porcine species. The Polish title of the act reads “glwukanazy” (a typo). - Bacillus paralicheniformis DSM 33902 and Bacillus subtilis DSM 33903 for dairy ruminants (4b1896) until 1 January 2036: enumeration on tryptone soya agar to EN 15784, 3.8 × 10⁸ CFU/kg feed or 7.4 × 10⁷ CFU/l water and 9.6 × 10⁹ CFU/animal/day; erythromycin MIC > 16 mg/l without acquired genes —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2511, published on 12 December 2025, authorises until 1 January 2036 a preparation of spores of two Bacillus strains (holder: Chr. Hansen A/S, product Bovacillus™) as a gut flora stabiliser for ruminants for milk production or reproduction, also in water for drinking. In its opinion of 9 April 2025 EFSA found it safe and potentially efficacious in dairy cows; it does not irritate skin or eyes but is a skin and respiratory sensitiser. For water EFSA proposed a dose per animal, because no fixed feed-to-water ratio can be set for ruminants — the act gives both a concentration in water and a daily dose. - Three Bacillus strains (velezensis, pumilus, licheniformis NRRL B-67647–67649) as a gut flora stabiliser for poultry for fattening (4b1898): counts on TSA to EN 15784, PFGE — native Bacillus in control feed up to 9.8 × 10⁷ CFU/kg against a dose of 3 × 10⁷, some batches below specification —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2500, published on 12 December 2025, authorises until 1 January 2036 a preparation of Bacillus velezensis NRRL B-67647, B. pumilus NRRL B-67648 and B. licheniformis NRRL B-67649 (1:1:1, Microsaf, holder: S.I.Lesaffre) for poultry for fattening and ornamental birds, at min. 3 × 10⁷ CFU/kg feed. EFSA (opinion of 6 May 2025) identified the strains by ANI from genome sequences and found no acquired resistance genes and no toxicity to Vero cells; the additive is not irritant to skin or eyes provided calcium carbonate is the only carrier, but it is a skin and respiratory sensitiser — also because of nickel. - Protease from B. subtilis CBS 148232 with spores of three Bacillus strains for pigs for fattening: colorimetric activity on dyed casein (pH 10, 50 °C), strains by PFGE to CEN/TS 17697, counts to EN 15784 — minimum 5000 U and 1.5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2502, published on 12 December 2025, authorises until 1 January 2036 a Genencor International B.V. preparation (4a63, in the EFSA opinion: Syncra® SWI 201 TPT) — protease (EC 3.4.21.62) from the genetically modified strain B. subtilis CBS 148232 and viable spores of B. velezensis NRRL B-50508, B. velezensis NRRL B-50509 and B. subtilis NRRL B-50510 — as a digestibility enhancer for pigs for fattening of all porcine species and weaned piglets of minor porcine species. The applicant withdrew the application for suckling piglets on 27 June 2025. - 4-Hydroxy-2,5-dimethylfuran-3(2H)-one (furaneol) in feed for all species other than cats and dogs: recommended 10 mg/kg, determination by GC-MS with retention time locking, lowest safe concentration 22 mg/kg in chickens —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2498, published on 12 December 2025, authorises until 1 January 2036 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethylfuran-3(2H)-one (FLAVIS 13.010, CAS 3658-77-3, chemical synthesis, purity 98 %) as a flavouring for all animal species except cats and dogs — without a maximum content, with a recommended maximum of 10 mg/kg on the label. For cats and dogs the substance is already authorised; EFSA lists the synonyms “furaneol” and “strawberry furanone”. - Patent Blue V disappears from feed for non-food-producing animals: batches of the colourant had 86–89.9 % colouring matters instead of the required minimum of 90 %, and aneugenicity was not investigated —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2543, published on 12 December 2025, refuses to renew the authorisation of Patent Blue V as a colourant in feed for non-food-producing animals and repeals Regulation (EU) No 643/2013. The additive and premixtures must be withdrawn from the market by 1 April 2026, and feed produced with them by 1 July 2026. - Copper(II)-betaine complex authorised in feed for all animals: formation of the complex confirmed by XRD, betaine by HPLC-RI, and nickel limited to 77 mg/kg after batches with 67.6–76.8 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2513, published on 12 December 2025, authorises until 1 January 2036 the copper(II)-betaine complex as a source of copper for all animal species — within the existing maximum copper contents, from 15 mg/kg for sheep to 150 mg/kg for piglets up to 4 weeks after weaning. Only the third EFSA opinion confirmed the efficacy of the additive. - Guanidinoacetic acid also in drinking water for pigs and turkeys: 200–600 mg/L determined by ion chromatography with UV detection, cyanamide ≤ 0.03 %, and the amount in water may not exceed the equivalent of 1200 mg/kg feed —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2505, published on 12 December 2025, authorises until 1 January 2036 guanidinoacetic acid (GAA, Alzchem Trostberg GmbH) in drinking water for weaned piglets and pigs for fattening (200–600 mg/L) and in feed (600–1200 mg/kg) and water (300–600 mg/L) for turkeys for fattening and reared for breeding. The applicant wanted the additive for pigs classified as an amino acid; the Commission — following EFSA — authorised it, as before, in the group “other zootechnical additives”. - RED: level probing radars (LPR, TLPR) — EN 302 729-1 V3.1.1 and the new EN 305 550-6 V1.2.1 (116–250 GHz) — and EN 300 220-2 V3.3.1, EN 302 480 V3.1.1 and EN 303 659 V1.1.1 in the list of harmonised standards; old versions until 11 June 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2499, published on 11 December 2025, adds to the list of harmonised standards for Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2191) two new ETSI standards for short range devices and three revised ones, including the standard for level probing radars operating with UWB technology. The deletion of the rows with the old versions applies from 11 June 2027. - Five strains (E. faecium DSM 33761, P. acidilactici DSM 33758, B. animalis DSM 16284, L. reuteri DSM 33751, L. salivarius DSM 16351) for poultry (4b1897) until 31 December 2035: enumeration to EN 15788, EN 15786, EN 15785 and EN 15787; 1 × 10⁸ CFU/kg feed or 5 × 10⁷ CFU/l water; efficacy confirmed only after three new trials —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2497, published on 11 December 2025, authorises until 31 December 2035 a preparation of five bacterial strains (holder: Biomin GmbH) as a gut flora stabiliser for poultry for fattening and reared for laying or reproduction — in a coated form for feed and an uncoated form for water for drinking. In 2023 EFSA found it safe but could not assess efficacy; only after three new trials in chickens for fattening (opinion of 6 May 2025) did it conclude that it has the potential to be efficacious. The additive is a respiratory sensitiser and not a skin irritant; eye irritation and skin sensitisation remain unresolved. - 25-Hydroxycholecalciferol from Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast for fish and other species: salmonids 0.8 mg/kg, three methods from UPLC-UV to HPLC-MS/MS, and the act describes a preparation “with a maximum content of 1.25 %”, while EFSA describes a minimum of 1.25 % —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2491, published on 11 December 2025, authorises until 31 December 2035 a preparation of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (vitamin D) produced with Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBS 146008 for all animal species except poultry, pigs and ruminants, for which the additive is already authorised. The precursor 5,7,24-cholestatrienol is made by the yeast, after extraction chemically converted into 25-hydroxy-provitamin D3, and that in turn photochemically into 25-hydroxycholecalciferol. - Fans (ecodesign 2024/1834): verification tolerance for rotational speed widened from 2 % to 5 %, new definition of “own speed”, test results corrected to standard air conditions, electric input power measured at an ambient temperature of 15–30 °C —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2481, published on 8 December 2025, amends Regulation (EU) 2024/1834 on ecodesign requirements for fans driven by motors with an electric input power between 125 W and 500 kW, applicable from 24 July 2026. The changes concern the definitions of the best efficiency point (BEP) and of own speed, transitional provisions for integrated and replacement fans, corrections of test results, and the speed tolerance applied by market surveillance authorities in verification. - No MRLs: the granulovirus Betabaculovirus phoperculellae and elemental iron entered in Annex IV to Regulation 396/2005 instead of the default 0.01 mg/kg, rape seed oil stays there permanently —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2473, published on 8 December 2025, enters in Annex IV to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 (substances for which no MRLs are required) two low-risk active substances: Betabaculovirus phoperculellae — a granulovirus controlling Phthorimaea operculella larvae — and elemental iron (a molluscicide). Until now the default value of 0.01 mg/kg under Article 18(1)(b) applied to them. Rape seed oil, included in Annex IV temporarily, stays there without the footnote on temporary inclusion. - United Kingdom: a new edition of requirements for food and feed control laboratories —
Document LAB 33, second edition of December 2025, sets out how the UK accreditation body assesses official laboratories and national reference laboratories. - Lifts: EN 81-76:2025 (evacuation of persons with disabilities using lifts) in the list of harmonised standards under Directive 2014/33/EU as row 10b — presumption of conformity from the date of publication; in the EVS record history it is preceded by CEN/TS 81-76:2011 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2383, published on 26 November 2025, adds to Annex I to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/76 the standard EN 81-76:2025, drafted by CEN under standardisation request C(2023) 6588. Compliance with the standard gives a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU that it covers; the decision entered into force on the date of publication. - Tumble dryers: from 1 January 2027 a repairability class A–E on the energy label (A for an index R > 9.00), eight priority parts with reference numbers of disassembly steps, a 4 % verification tolerance and no more calculation of the “eco” programme final moisture by the formula in the regulation —
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1353, published on 20 November 2025, amends Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 on the energy labelling of household tumble dryers. It introduces a repairability index with its calculation and verification method and changes the product information sheet, technical documentation and verification procedure; it entered into force on the fourth day after publication. - Ecodesign: standby power is measured after the last brewing cycle in all coffee machines, and for tumble dryers market surveillance verifies energy and time with a 6 % tolerance, off mode — 0.10 W, noise — 2 dB —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/2262, published on 20 November 2025, amends Regulation (EU) 2023/826 on off-mode and standby power of household and office equipment and Regulation (EU) 2023/2533 on the ecodesign of tumble dryers. It clarifies definitions, the measurement conditions for coffee machines, the verification procedure for tumble dryers and the list of spare parts. - Gibberellic acid (GA3) renewed as a low-risk active substance from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2040: purity ≥ 850 g/kg and a new limit for the sum of fumonisins B1 + B2 of up to 200 µg/kg in the technical material; EFSA — HPLC-UV for the substance, LC-MS/MS in water with an LOQ of 0.1 µg/L, ADI 0.23 instead of 0.68 mg/kg bw —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2313, published on 18 November 2025, renews the approval of gibberellic acid and moves it to Part D of the list — low-risk active substances. The rapporteur was Slovenia, the co-rapporteur Slovakia, and the EFSA conclusions were sent to the Commission on 16 October 2024. The act lifts the restriction to use as a plant growth regulator only and requires particular attention to the protection of non-target terrestrial plants outside the field. It applies from 1 January 2026. - Gibberellins (GA4/GA7) renewed as a low-risk substance until 31 December 2040: ≥ 890 g/kg, fumonisins B1 + B2 ≤ 200 μg/kg in the technical material; EFSA: ADI and ARfD 0.33 mg/kg bw, no method for fumonisins in the formulation —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2272, published on 13 November 2025, renews the approval of gibberellins (GA4/GA7 mixture) as a low-risk active substance for the period from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2040 and moves them from Part A to Part D of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 540/2011. The Polish title of the act speaks of “approval” (“zatwierdzenia”), the English one of “renewing the approval”; Article 1 of both versions speaks of renewal. - Novel food: Schizochytrium sp. oil (ATCC PTA-9695) in food supplements up to 1 g DHA per day for persons over 3 years, including pregnant and lactating women (previously 250 and 450 mg) — without a new EFSA assessment, on the basis of the opinion on strain FCC-3204 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2245, published on 10 November 2025, amends the conditions of use of the novel food “Schizochytrium sp. (ATCC PTA-9695) oil” in the Union list (Regulation 2017/2470). At the request of DSM Nutritional Products Europe of 4 March 2025, the maximum DHA level in food supplements rises from 250 mg per day for the general population and 450 mg for pregnant and lactating women to 1 g per day for the general population over 3 years; 250 mg remains for children under 3. - Yellow tomato extract as a novel food in food supplements for adults, 100 mg a day: carotenoids 10–13 g/100 g, of which phytoene and phytofluene 7–10 g/100 g, with a carotenoid profile by HPLC-DAD and glycoalkaloids by LC-MS/MS in the EFSA data —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2242, published on 10 November 2025, adds to the Union list of novel foods yellow tomato extract — a carotenoid-rich extract from the pulp of ripe yellow tomatoes (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) obtained by supercritical CO₂ extraction — for use in food supplements for adults at up to 100 mg a day. For 5 years from 30 November 2025 only Lycored Ltd of Beer Sheva may place it on the market, because EFSA’s conclusions rest on protected data from an Ames test and a micronucleus test in human lymphocytes. - Clostridium butyricum TO-A as a novel food in supplements: WGS without botulinum neurotoxin genes, counts according to ISO 15213 as sulphite-reducing anaerobes, spores 74–89 %; a corrigendum shortens data protection to 2030 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2233, published on 7 November 2025, authorises Clostridium butyricum TO-A (TOA Biopharma Co. Ltd.) in food supplements: 1.0 × 10⁸ CFU per day for children aged 3–10, 2.0 × 10⁸ for 10–14, 2.8 × 10⁸ for 14–18 and 3.2 × 10⁸ for adults, excluding pregnant and lactating women. The applicant sought use from 3 months of age; EFSA narrowed the group to persons over 3 years. - Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CECT 4528 for silage (1k20746) renewed until 19 November 2035: PFGE to CEN/TS 17697 and MRS agar to EN 15787; gentamicin MIC 64 and kanamycin MIC 256 mg/l — two dilutions above the cut-off, but no acquired resistance genes —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2175, published on 30 October 2025, renews until 19 November 2035 the authorisation of a preparation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CECT 4528 as a silage additive for all animal species and repeals in its entirety Regulation (EU) No 399/2014, which also covered Lactobacillus brevis DSM 23231 and DSMZ 16680 and Lactobacillus fermentum NCIMB 30169. In its opinion of 28 January 2025 EFSA found the additive still safe; in a test to OECD TG 492 it is not an eye irritant, but as a micro-organism it is a skin and respiratory sensitiser. - Pediococcus acidilactici NCIMB 30005, Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NCIMB 30151 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 16627 for silage renewed until 19 November 2035: minimum raised from 1 × 10⁷ to 2.5 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g, pediococci on MRS agar to EN 15786; citrinin in the additives 564–952 µg/kg — EFSA recommends monitoring —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2176, published on 30 October 2025, renews until 19 November 2035 the authorisations of three preparations of lactic acid bacteria as silage additives for all animal species and repeals Regulation (EU) No 849/2014. In three opinions (15 October and 26 November 2024, 28 January 2025) EFSA found them still safe and potential sensitisers, did not conclude on eye irritation for lack of data, and noted that the citrinin values are high and deserve attention and monitoring during production. - L-valine from genetically modified Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80058 (3c370) renewed until 19 November 2035: identification by the FCC monograph, determination by IEC-VIS; no viable cells or DNA of the strain in the product, new requirements — rumen protection and an amino acid balance warning —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2183, published on 30 October 2025, renews until 19 November 2035 the authorisation of L-valine (at least 98 % DM) produced by a genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80058 as a nutritional additive for all animal species and repeals Regulation (EU) No 848/2014. In its opinion of 28 January 2025 EFSA found the additive still safe; it does not irritate skin or eyes and is not a skin sensitiser — unlike most additives, the annex contains no provision on personal protective equipment. - Propionic acid, sodium propionate and ammonium propionate as silage additives renewed until 2035: IC-CD to EN 17294, sodium by AAS or ICP-AES, ammonium to ISO 5664 — without aquatic animals —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2186, published on 30 October 2025, renews until 19 November 2035 the authorisations of propionic acid (1k280), sodium propionate (1k281) and ammonium propionate (1k284) as silage additives for all terrestrial animal species and repeals Regulations (EU) No 1222/2013 and 305/2014. The applicant withdrew the application for aquatic animals on 11 September 2024. - Calcium D-pantothenate and D-panthenol (vitamin B5) renewed until 2035: titration to Ph. Eur. 0470 and 0761, HPLC-MS and RP-HPLC-UV — in the D-panthenol purity criterion 3-aminopropanol has been replaced by 3-aminopropionic acid —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2171, published on 30 October 2025, renews until 19 November 2035 the authorisations of calcium D-pantothenate (3a841) for all animal species and D-panthenol (3a842) — only in water for drinking — and repeals Regulation (EU) No 669/2014. The common name “vitamin B5” has been added to the names of the additives and may be used on feed labels together with the identification number. - Milbemectin renewed until 15 November 2040: sum of milbemycin A3 and A4 determined by QuEChERS and LC-MS/MS (LOQ 0.01 mg/kg per analyte), in air HPLC-FLD after derivatisation; ADI lowered from 0.03 to 0.007 mg/kg bw, chironomid studies under OECD TG 218 and 219 by November 2027 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2068, published on 16 October 2025, renews from 16 November 2025 to 15 November 2040 the approval of the acaricide and insecticide milbemectin — a mixture of milbemycin A3 and A4. It is based on the EFSA conclusion of 5 July 2023 (uses among others in strawberries, currants and ornamentals); milbemectin does not meet the criteria for an endocrine disruptor. Aneugenic potential, phototoxicity and interspecies differences in metabolism were not resolved — the applicant must clarify them by 5 November 2027. - Canthaxanthin from Yarrowia lipolytica CBS 146148 fermentation as a new production route (2a161gi): spectrophotometry at 426 nm and NP-HPLC-VIS at 466 nm, dichloromethane ≤ 80 mg/kg in the fermentation preparation (≤ 600 mg/kg for the synthetic one) —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2046, published on 13 October 2025, replaces the annex to Regulation (EU) 2015/1486 and, alongside synthetic canthaxanthin (2a161g), authorises canthaxanthin produced by fermentation with the genetically modified yeast Yarrowia lipolytica CBS 146148 (2a161gi) — only as a preparation with at least 10 % canthaxanthin — for poultry for fattening and laying, ornamental fish and ornamental birds. The expiry date of the authorisation in the new annex is 23.9.2025 — earlier than the publication date of the act. - EU fertilising products: EN 17836:2024 “Fertilizers – Description of the forms of the physical unit” as row 3 of the list of harmonised standards for Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 — tests in line with the standard are deemed reliable and reproducible —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2026, published on 10 October 2025, adds to the table of harmonised standards for Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 on EU fertilising products (Implementing Decision (EU) 2024/2387) row 3: EN 17836:2024 “Fertilizers – Description of the forms of the physical unit”. The decision entered into force on the day of publication. - The second will be redefined — optical clocks on the way to 2030 —
Optical clocks are already about a hundred times more accurate than the caesium fountains behind today’s definition of the second. The conference on weights and measures is to approve a roadmap towards a new definition with a 2030 date. - Technical cleanliness: the test turns into continuous process monitoring —
The third edition of the VDA 19.1 guideline appeared in October 2025. Cleanliness control stops being a final test and becomes continuous process monitoring. - L-tryptophan from Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80346 in feed and water for drinking: HPLC-FLD to EN ISO 13904, EBT ≤ 10 mg/kg in the specification — EBT not detected in the batches, MTCA 0.27–0.35 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1915, published on 26 September 2025, authorises until 16 October 2035 L-tryptophan (≥ 98 % on a dry matter basis) produced by fermentation with the genetically modified strain C. glutamicum KCCM 80346 as a nutritional additive (3c443) for all animal species, also in water for drinking. For ruminants, operators must ensure rumen protection — unprotected L-tryptophan may increase the production of toxic skatole (3-methylindole). - MID Directive: thermal energy meters presumed conforming under EN 1434-1, -2, -4, -5 and -6:2022 (requirements, pattern approval, initial verification, installation) from 25 September 2025; for turbine gas meters EN 12261:2024 and volume conversion devices EN 12405-1:2021 — the 2018 editions lose the presumption on 27 August 2026 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1939, published on 25 September 2025 and in force from the day of publication, adds five parts of EN 1434:2022 on thermal energy meters to Annex I to Decision 2021/1402 (harmonised standards for Directive 2014/32/EU on measuring instruments). The earlier Decision 2025/375, published on 27 February 2025, replaced in the same list the standards for turbine gas meters and gas volume conversion devices with their new editions. An instrument conforming to a harmonised standard published in the Official Journal is presumed to meet the essential requirements of the directive. - Fluralaner in fish: MRL of 65 µg/kg in muscle and skin, transferred from poultry muscle without residue depletion studies — LC-MS/MS method validated for salmonids in the range 10–200 µg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1908, published on 25 September 2025, extends the fluralaner entry in Table 1 of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 to all fish: an MRL of 65 µg/kg in muscle and skin in natural proportions, with fluralaner as the marker residue. FAV S.A. applied for salmonids (treatment of juvenile and adult sea lice), and the European Medicines Agency considered extrapolation to all fish appropriate. - EA-4/22:2025 — EA guidance on accrediting pesticide residue analysis in food and feed: validation under SANTE/11312/2021, a public list of tests for flexible scopes and less frequent proficiency testing for many commodity groups —
On 25 September 2025 European co-operation for Accreditation (EA) endorsed a new edition of EA-4/22 G:2025, applicable from publication with no transition period. It harmonises the criteria accreditation bodies use to assess laboratories testing pesticide residues — methods, validation, quality control, contract review, reports and flexible scope. - Inorganic arsenic (sum of As(III) and As(V)) in fish and seafood: maximum levels from 0.050 mg/kg for cephalopods to 1.5 mg/kg for langoustine and rock lobster; determination requires speciation, most often HPLC-ICP-MS —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1891, published on 18 September 2025, adds to Regulation (EU) 2023/915 maximum levels of inorganic arsenic in fish meat, crustaceans, bivalve molluscs and cephalopods (mg/kg wet weight). Food lawfully placed on the market before 8 October 2025 may remain on the market until its date of minimum durability or use-by date. - Rape seed oil renewed as a low-risk active substance until 31 October 2040: specification based on fatty acid composition, erucic acid ≤ 2 %, purity according to the European Pharmacopoeia; EFSA received no information on whether the oil is of food grade quality —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1879, published on 17 September 2025, renews the approval of rape seed oil as a low-risk active substance for the period from 1 November 2025 to 31 October 2040 and moves it from Part A to Part D of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 540/2011. The EFSA conclusions were sent to the Commission on 4 April 2022 and the draft regulation to the Standing Committee on 9 December 2022. - Gas appliances (Regulation 2016/426): six new harmonised standards — EN 30-2-1:2024 (energy use of gas cookers), EN 88-2 and EN 88-3 (pressure regulators up to 500 kPa), EN 125 (thermoelectric flame supervision), EN 15502-2-2:2024 (type B1 boilers up to 70 kW), EN 16304 (automatic vent valves) and a corrigendum to EN 15502-2-1 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1793, published on 11 September 2025 and in force from the day of publication, amends Decision (EU) 2024/2944 listing harmonised standards for appliances burning gaseous fuels. The standards result from a review requested from CEN and CENELEC by Decision C(2023) 4789 of 20 July 2023, intended to check whether the standards under mandate M/BC/CEN/06-89 of 29 April 1990 still reflect the state of the art against the essential requirements of Annex I to Regulation 2016/426. - Toys: EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 with a restriction — clauses 3.19 and 4.15.1 give no presumption of conformity for wave rollers; Germany pointed to a risk of crushing and shearing fingers at the wheel, CEN/TC 52 asked whether a 5 mm or 12 mm rod had been inserted in the gap —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1785, published on 10 September 2025, replaces row 1 of the list of harmonised standards for Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC (Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/740). EN 71-1:2014+A1:2018 “Mechanical and physical properties” stays on the list, but as regards clause 3.19 (definition of “driving mechanism”) and clause 4.15.1 it gives no presumption of conformity with Article 10(2) and Part I point 3 of Annex II to the Directive for wave rollers. - Capsaicin as a flavouring in feed: HPLC-UV determination, purity ≥ 98 %, (E)/(Z) isomer ratio ≥ 6:1, at most 6.5 mg/kg — for cats 5.3 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1784, published on 10 September 2025, authorises until 30 September 2035 chemically synthesised capsaicin (CAS 404-86-4, FEMA 3404) as a sensory additive for all animal species, only via premixtures. The Commission set maximum contents because capsaicin also has zootechnical and medicinal effects, which higher doses could trigger. - Chromium chelate of DL-methionine for salmonids: total chromium by ICP-MS, methionine by IEC-VIS, chelate structure by infrared — and added chromium in feed counted via microtracer particles; according to EFSA the additive is ≤ 10 % of background chromium —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1782, published on 10 September 2025, authorises until 30 September 2035 a preparation of chromium(III) chelate of DL-methionine from Zinpro as a zootechnical additive improving performance of salmonids: 200–600 mg additive/kg complete feed, i.e. 0.2–0.6 mg Cr/kg. The preparation contains ≥ 1 000 mg Cr(III)/kg, nickel ≤ 1.33 mg/kg and a microtracer — 270 particles of dyed iron coated with tartrazine and shellac per gram. - Riboflavin from Bacillus subtilis CGMCC 7.449 in feed and water: in the additive Ph. Eur. monograph 0292 or HPLC-UV according to VDLUFA 13.9.1, in compound feed and water HPLC-FLD according to EN 14152 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1795, published on 10 September 2025, authorises until 29 September 2035 for all animal species two forms of vitamin B2 from fermentation with the genetically modified strain B. subtilis CGMCC 7.449: riboflavin of purity ≥ 98 % (3a825iii, water ≤ 1.5 %) and a preparation with ≥ 80 % riboflavin (3a825vi, water ≤ 3 %). Both forms may be used in water for drinking. - Bifidobacterium longum CNCM I-5642 (4e001) for dogs: counts by pour plate on reinforced clostridial agar (LOQ 100 CFU/g), identification by PFGE — 3.5 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed, at least 6 weeks recommended, efficacy only in the second EFSA opinion —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1776, published on 9 September 2025, authorises until 29 September 2035 a preparation of Bifidobacterium longum CNCM I-5642 (PP102I, holder: Nestlé Enterprises S.A. – Division Nestlé Purina Petcare Europe) as a physiological condition stabiliser for dogs — improving stress resilience in realistic situations. In its opinion of 29 June 2022 EFSA could not confirm efficacy (the application for cats was withdrawn); only a new cross-over study in 20 dogs, assessed on 28 January 2025, was enough for a positive conclusion. The additive is an eye irritant and a skin and respiratory sensitiser. - L-arginine from Corynebacterium glutamicum KCCM 80387 authorised also in water for drinking despite EFSA’s concerns — IEC-VIS in the additive, water and feed, as a flavouring recommended at most 25 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1787, published on 9 September 2025, authorises until 29 September 2035 L-arginine (≥ 98 % on dry matter) from fermentation with the genetically modified strain C. glutamicum KCCM 80387 for all animal species — as an amino acid (3c367, also in water for drinking) and as a flavouring (only in feed, via premixtures). The applicant withdrew the request for use of the flavouring in water, as Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 does not provide for it. - Microplastics in water finally have their own standard —
Microplastics in drinking water finally have one standard: particles from 1 µm to 5 mm are counted and classified by infrared and Raman microscopy. The result is a particle count in size classes, not a single mass value. - RED: EN 302 065-4-1 V2.2.1 (UWB devices for building material analysis, 30 MHz–10.6 GHz) and five other ETSI standards in the list; EN 301 489-28 V2.1.1 (EMC of wireless digital video links) with restrictions — no emissions below 9 kHz and no clause 6 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1741, published on 14 August 2025, enters in the list of harmonised standards for Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU (Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2191) four revised ETSI standards, two more specific UWB standards replacing the general parts 3 and 4 of EN 302 065 and — with two restrictions — the new EMC standard EN 301 489-28 V2.1.1. The deletion of six old rows applies from 14 February 2027. - Machinery Directive: 16 harmonised standards in one decision — including EN 81-44:2024 (lifting appliances in wind turbines), EN 12978:2024 (protective devices for power operated doors and gates — requirements and test methods), EN 17942:2024 (oxy-fuel gas welding); 11 old editions drop out on 20 January 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1740, published on 14 August 2025, enters in the list of harmonised standards for Directive 2006/42/EC (Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/1586) five new standards, nine revised ones and two consolidated with amendment A1. The deletion of 11 existing rows applies from 20 January 2027 to give manufacturers time to adapt their machinery. In the Polish version the annex refers to “Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1586”, in the English version to the Implementing Decision. - Radio devices cannot reach the market without cybersecurity testing —
From 1 August 2025 every radio device sold in the EU must pass cybersecurity testing. It covers protection of the network, of personal data and of the user money. - Novel food correction: 3-fucosyllactose from E. coli K-12 DH1 added for food for special medical purposes for infants and young children (up to 1.75 g/L or g/kg), Schizochytrium sp. oil — in food supplements for children aged 18 months to 18 years up to 250 mg DHA and EPA per day —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1549, published on 31 July 2025, corrects Implementing Regulations (EU) 2023/2210 and (EU) 2022/1365, restoring two uses of novel foods that had been omitted by mistake from the Union list: 3-FL produced by a derivative strain of E. coli K-12 DH1 in food for special medical purposes for infants and young children, and Schizochytrium sp. oil rich in DHA and EPA in food supplements for children. - Acetamiprid: new MRLs for plums (0.04), linseed and gold of pleasure seed (0.06), mustard seed (0.15), poppy seed (0.3) and honey (0.3 mg/kg) — checked against ADI and ARfD lowered to 0.005 mg/kg bw and with metabolite IM-2-1 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1212, published on 31 July 2025, replaces the acetamiprid column in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. It raises the MRLs for plums, linseed, poppy seed, mustard seed, gold of pleasure seed and “honey and other apiculture products”, and for soya beans it adopts the Codex CXL of 0.01 mg/kg — numerically equal to the previous value set at the limit of quantification, but no longer marked as LOQ (*). - Potassium magnesium salt (carnallite) from the Dead Sea as a novel food: bromide ≤ 0.40 %, bromate < 1 mg/kg, identity confirmed by X-ray diffraction — uses restricted by the bromide TDI —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1530, published on 31 July 2025, authorises from 20 August 2025 potassium magnesium trichloride hexahydrate (carnallite) from BK Giulini GmbH of the ICL group as a salt substitute in raw and cooked cured meat, sausages and cereal-based dishes, labelled as “potassium magnesium mineral salt”. EFSA asked for narrower uses because of the bromide content — the applicant originally wanted to use the salt in, among others, bread and frozen pizza. - Tiger nut oil (Cyperus esculentus) as a novel food: oleic acid 65–69 %, saponification value ≤ 189 mg KOH/g — in EFSA’s data one batch had 197 according to ISO 3657 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1528, published on 31 July 2025, authorises oil cold-pressed from pasteurised tiger nut tubers (applicant Tigernuts traders, S.L.) for the general population — as such and in pasta, bread, crackers, salad dressings, spreadable fats, fine bakery wares and milk-based products. In milk-based products the oil may not replace any milk constituent. - Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 41028 (1k20713) and NCIMB 30148 (1k20714) for silage until 19 August 2035: CEN/TS 17697 and MRS agar to EN 15787, minimum 7 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g; OECD TG 492 test failed its acceptance criteria — no EFSA conclusion on eye irritation, the act still requires eye protection —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1527, published on 30 July 2025, authorises until 19 August 2035 two preparations of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum — NCIMB 41028 and NCIMB 30148, both isolated from perennial ryegrass — as silage additives for all animal species. In two opinions of 26 November 2024 EFSA found them safe and able to improve the production of silage at a minimum of 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg fresh material; the additives are not skin irritants and are potential sensitisers, while no conclusion could be drawn on eye irritation. - 3-Fucosyllactose from E. coli BL21(DE3): in infant formula 1.75 g/L instead of 0.9 g/L, in food supplements 4 g/day — according to EFSA, intake from formula alone (455 mg/kg bw) is below the highest from human milk (896 mg/kg bw) —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1537, published on 30 July 2025, amends the conditions of use of the novel food 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) produced by a derivative strain of Escherichia coli BL21(DE3): in infant formula the maximum level rises from 0.9 to 1.75 g/L, in follow-on formula from 1.2 to 1.75 g/L, in food for special medical purposes for infants and young children to 1.75 g/L or g/kg (previously 0.9 up to 6 months of age and 1.2 thereafter), and in food supplements from 3 to 4 g/day. Chr. Hansen A/S applied on 25 April 2024; data protection runs until 25 January 2028. - Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 30094 for silage (1k20723) authorised until 18 August 2035: CEN/TS 17697 and MRS agar to EN 15787, dose 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg; OECD TG 492 test — eye irritant, 10 % of particles below 10 µm —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1523, published on 29 July 2025, authorises until 18 August 2035 a preparation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 30094 as a silage additive for all animal species. The application was submitted under Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003; EFSA in its opinion of 26 November 2024 notes that the additive had previously been authorised in the EU and that no adverse effects were reported in 2012–2022. According to EFSA the additive is not a skin irritant, but is an eye irritant and a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser; efficacy was based on studies assessed in 2012. - Calanus finmarchicus oil: astaxanthin esters up to 0.25 % for all age groups, 0.9 / 2.2 / 3.1 g per day in food supplements (up to 2.25 / 5.5 / 7.75 mg astaxanthin) — without a new EFSA assessment, with reference to the ADI of 0.2 mg/kg bw —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1513, published on 29 July 2025, amends — at the request of Calanus A/S of 16 December 2024 — the conditions of use of the novel food Calanus finmarchicus oil in food supplements. Instead of two variants — oil with < 0.1 % astaxanthin esters at up to 1.0 g/day for the general population and oil with 0.1–0.25 % at up to 2.3 g/day from age 14 — three age-dependent doses now apply for oil with ≤ 0.25 % esters; the Commission found an EFSA assessment unnecessary. - Oil from the microalga Schizochytrium limacinum ATCC-20889 in infant formulae: DHA ≥ 32 %, p-anisidine value ≤ 10 added at EFSA’s request — the first five batches had 11.2–19.7 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1515, published on 29 July 2025, authorises oil from strain ATCC-20889 of the microalga Schizochytrium limacinum (BioPlus Life Sciences) as a novel food in infant formulae and follow-on formulae; data protected until 18 August 2030. The application was filed as an extension of the authorisation for “Schizochytrium sp. oil”, but EFSA assessed the specific species — so the Commission treated it as an authorisation of a novel food. - Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 40027 for silage (1k20743) renewed until 17 August 2035: identification to CEN/TS 17697, enumeration on MRS agar to EN 15787; batches 6.3 × 10¹¹ CFU/g on average, cryoprotectant sodium erythorbate up to 20 % assessed separately —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1504, published on 28 July 2025, renews until 17 August 2035 the authorisation of a preparation of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum NCIMB 40027 (formerly Lactobacillus plantarum) as a silage additive for all animal species and deletes the existing entry from Regulation (EU) No 1113/2013, which also covers four Lactobacillus buchneri strains (the name used in that regulation’s title). In its opinion of 26 November 2024 EFSA found the additive still safe; it is not irritant to skin or eyes, but is a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser, and any exposure by these routes is considered a risk. - Phytosterols/phytostanols from sunflower: “other sterols/stanols” from 3.0 to < 7.0 % instead of < 3.0 % (GC-FID), about half of the fraction is Δ7-stigmastenol — exclusive to Advanced Organic Materials until 17 August 2030 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1509, published on 28 July 2025, adds to the Union list of novel foods a specification for phytosterols/phytostanols from sunflower extract with an “other sterols/stanols” fraction from 3.0 to < 7.0 %. For five years from 17 August 2025 only the Argentinian company Advanced Organic Materials SA may place them on the market; the generic entry with the < 3.0 % limit stays unchanged. - Review of food import controls (2019/1793): dried figs from Türkiye also for ochratoxin A (30 %), cumin seeds from Türkiye for pyrrolizidine alkaloids (50 %), moringa and yardlong beans from India with a certificate and analytical results, mycotoxin samples according to Regulation (EU) 2023/2782 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1441, published on 23 July 2025, replaces Annexes I, II and IV to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 after the six-monthly review based on RASFF notifications and official controls in the second half of 2024 and updates references to repealed acts — among other things, sampling and analysis for mycotoxins are now carried out according to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/2782. - Low Voltage Directive: EN 50214:2024 (flat flexible cables, among others for lifts) and EN 50620:2017 with amendments A1:2019 and A2:2024 (charging cables for electric vehicles) in the list of harmonised standards; old references until 23 January 2027 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1488, published on 23 July 2025, enters in the list of harmonised standards for Directive 2014/35/EU (Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2723) the revised standard EN 50214:2024 (row 31a) and EN 50620:2017 together with amendments A1:2019 and A2:2024 (row 107a). It deletes rows 31 and 107 with the old references from 23 January 2027. - Enterococcus faecium ATCC 53519 and ATCC 55593 as silage additives (1k20603, 1k20604): counts on bile esculin azide or Slanetz-Bartley agar (EN 15788) — efficacy accepted after four EFSA opinions, once dry matter loss was recalculated with the Weissbach correction for volatiles —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1465, published on 23 July 2025, authorises until 12 August 2035 two preparations of Enterococcus faecium (ATCC 53519 and ATCC 55593, in the register as SF202-DSM 4788 and SF301-DSM 4789) as silage additives for all animal species. In 2013 EFSA found them safe but without proof of efficacy; in its opinions of 27 September 2022 and 4 July 2023 it still could not confirm it — only the opinion of 15 October 2024 (applicant FEFANA asbl), based on the same data with a different dry matter correction, reached a positive conclusion. - ISO/TS 16099:2025 — requirements for PCR methods detecting microorganisms and viruses in water —
On 23 July 2025 ISO published the Technical Specification ISO/TS 16099:2025 (edition 1, 71 pages, committee ISO/TC 147/SC 4), “Water quality — Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection and quantification of microorganisms and viruses — General requirements, quality assurance and validation”. It covers quantitative, qualitative, reverse transcription and digital PCR. - Three formal objections to household appliance standards: EN 60335-2-60:2003 (whirlpool baths) withdrawn from 18 January 2027 after a Dutch objection of 2014, EN 60335-1:2012 without presumption for part of clause 20.2 (probe similar to test probe B), EN 60335-2-27:2013 with a notice on notes on classification —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1457, published on 18 July 2025, settles three formal objections under Article 11 of Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 to harmonised standards for Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU (Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2723): by the Netherlands to EN 60335-2-60:2003, by Germany to EN 60335-1:2012 and by France to EN 60335-2-27:2013. It withdraws the first standard and keeps the other two with a restriction. - Kitchen machines: the Commission will not publish the reference of EN 60335-2-14:2006 under the Low Voltage Directive — after Germany’s objection that the test device for checking access to blender blades does not reflect the dimensions of the human body —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1464, published on 18 July 2025, settles Germany’s formal objection to EN 60335-2-14:2006 (with amendments A1:2008, A11:2012, A12:2016 and corrigenda AC:2007, A11:2012/AC:2016). The Commission found that the standard does not meet the safety objectives of Annex I to Directive 2014/35/EU (point 1(c), point 2(a) and (c), point 3(b)), so it does not publish its reference in the Official Journal of the EU. - Biotin 3a880, 3a880i and 3a880ii renewed until 7 August 2035: additive — potentiometric titration to Ph. Eur. 1073, feed — RP-HPLC-MS/MS, water — USP microbiological assay; dusting potential of 2 % preparations up to 9940 mg/m³ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1424, published on 18 July 2025, renews until 7 August 2035 the authorisation of biotin (min. 97 % D-(+)-biotin) and two of its preparations at 2 % and 10 % for all animal species, also in water for drinking, and repeals Regulation (EU) 2015/723. The preparations received separate numbers (3a880i, 3a880ii) because the previous authorisation erroneously did not specify their composition. In its opinion of 28 January 2025 EFSA found biotin still safe; it is not irritant to skin or eyes, but exposure by inhalation is likely. - Spanish type origanum oil (Thymbra capitata) 2b454-eo: carvacrol 60–75 % and thymol 0–5 % determined by GC-FID (ISO 14717), recommended up to 125 mg/kg feed for salmonids — no use in water for drinking —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1417, published on 18 July 2025, authorises until 7 August 2035 the essential oil from the flowering tops of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. — so far “origanum oil” authorised without a time limit under Directive 70/524/EEC — as a flavouring compound for all animal species. The request for use in water for drinking was rejected because Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 does not provide for flavouring compounds there. EFSA (opinion of 17 September 2024) found the oil safe at the proposed levels, but irritant to skin and eyes and a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. - Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 (4b1711) extended to all dairy and breeding ruminants and camelids, young ruminants for fattening and Equidae other than horses: EN 15789 and CEN/TS 15790, for lambs the dose lowered from 3 × 10⁹ to 1 × 10⁹ CFU/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1426, published on 18 July 2025, authorises until 7 August 2035 a preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-1077 yeast (isolated from a fruit; holder: Lallemand SAS) as a gut flora stabiliser for ruminants (other than lambs) and camelids for milk production or reproduction, young ruminants for fattening and camelid calves for fattening, and as a digestibility enhancer for Equidae other than horses; in Regulation (EU) 2020/149 it lowers the minimum dose for lambs. EFSA (opinion of 15 October 2024) confirmed safety and extrapolated efficacy from calves, cattle for fattening and horses. - Spanish sage oil (2b413-eo) and lavender oil (2b257-eo) in feed until 6 August 2035: markers determined by GC-FID to ISO 3526 and ISO 3515; sage up to 14 mg/kg because of camphor, lavender from 7 mg/kg (cats) to 39 mg/kg because of linalool oxides —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1403, published on 17 July 2025, following the re-evaluation of additives authorised under Directive 70/524/EEC, authorises until 6 August 2035 the essential oil from the leaves of Spanish sage and the oil from the fresh flowering tops of lavender as flavouring compounds for all animal species — not in water for drinking, since Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 does not provide for flavouring compounds there. In two opinions of 17 September 2024 EFSA considered both oils irritant to skin and eyes and dermal and respiratory sensitisers. - Peppermint, clary sage and sage oils in feed: GC-FID markers to ISO 856, Ph. Eur. 1850 and ISO 9909, pulegone ≤ 1.72 % and menthofuran ≤ 4.54 % in peppermint, α-thujone 18–27 % in sage —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1400, published on 17 July 2025, authorises until 6 August 2035 three essential oils as flavouring compounds for all animal species: peppermint oil (2b282-eo), clary sage oil (2b415-eo) and sage oil (2b414-eo). Use in water for drinking is not allowed, because Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 does not provide for it for flavouring compounds; recommended maximum contents are given on the labels. - Tea tree oil in feed: terpinen-4-ol determined by GC-FID according to ISO 4730, methyleugenol ≤ 0.01 %, maximum contents from 0.9 mg/kg for cats to 15 mg/kg for ornamental fish —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1402, published on 17 July 2025, after re-evaluation authorises until 6 August 2035 the essential oil from the leaves and terminal branchlets of Melaleuca alternifolia as a flavouring for all species — with maximum contents because of methyleugenol. Use in water for drinking was not authorised; products under the old rules may be sold until stocks are exhausted if produced before 6 February 2026 (additive, premixtures), 6 August 2026 (feed for food-producing animals) and 6 August 2027 (other feed). - Feed: liquid L-lysine (at least 50 %) from a new strain Corynebacterium glutamicum NRRL B-68248 authorised as 3c320ii — not for use in drinking water; correction: the additive is a preparation, and the analytical methods refer to Regulation 152/2009 as a whole —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1395, published on 16 July 2025, corrects and amends Regulation (EU) 2020/997 on liquid L-lysine base, L-lysine sulphate and L-lysine monohydrochloride. It adds the production strain C. glutamicum NRRL B-68248 — under a separate number 3c320ii, because its product is not intended for drinking water — on the basis of the EFSA opinion of 4 July 2024, and corrects the composition of 3c320, which by mistake did not describe the additive as a preparation. - Xylanase from Trichoderma reesei CBS 114044 (4a8i) returns for pigs for fattening, laying hens and minor poultry after the authorisation lapsed in 2021: activity in BXU from birch xylan, in feed — azurine-crosslinked wheat arabinoxylan substrate, pH 5.3 and 50 °C —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1386, published on 16 July 2025, authorises until 5 August 2035 a preparation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (EC 3.2.1.8) from the genetically modified strain Trichoderma reesei CBS 114044 (ECONASE XT, holder: AB Enzymes Finland Oy) as a digestibility enhancer for pigs for fattening, laying hens and minor poultry species. For these species the authorisation expired on 24 November 2021 because the renewal application was not submitted one year before the deadline — a new application was needed. EFSA (opinion of 18 September 2024) found no viable cells or DNA of the strain in the product and judged the additive safe; all forms are considered respiratory sensitisers. - 3-phytase from Komagataella phaffii CECT 13171 (4a50): activity to EN ISO 30024 in the additive, premixtures and feed, 500 FTU/kg for poultry and pigs for fattening, 1000 FTU/kg for laying hens — authorised only after a second EFSA opinion with strain identification by WGS —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1392, published on 16 July 2025, authorises until 5 August 2035 a preparation of 3-phytase (EC 3.1.3.8) from the genetically modified strain Komagataella phaffii CECT 13171 (holder: Fertinagro Biotech S.L.) as a digestibility enhancer for poultry for fattening, reared for laying or for breeding, minor poultry species for breeding, laying hens and pigs for fattening of all Suidae. In its opinion of 27 September 2022 EFSA could not confirm the species of the strain or exclude viable cells in the product; only the opinion of 17 September 2024, based on the whole genome sequence and a new test, brought the strain under the QPS approach and found the additive safe. - Bacteriophages against Salmonella Enteritidis in poultry (Proteon, Łódź): identification by phage-specific PCR, PFU count by the double agar overlay plaque assay — at least 6 × 10⁶ PFU/L in water for drinking —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1390, published on 16 July 2025, authorises until 5 August 2035 a preparation of four lytic bacteriophages PCM F/00069, PCM F/00070, PCM F/00071 and PCM F/00097 from the Łódź company Proteon Pharmaceuticals as a zootechnical additive reducing environmental contamination with Salmonella Enteritidis by poultry — only in water for drinking, at a minimum dose of 2 × 10⁶ PFU per bird per day. The authorisation holder must monitor the selection of phage-resistant Salmonella variants. - Self-driving laboratories collect ten times more data —
A new way of running experiments gives automated materials laboratories at least ten times more data in the same time, while using fewer reagents. The next trials are still planned by a person. - Riboflavin from Eremothecium ashbyi as a dried fermentation product (≥ 5 %): HPLC-FLD, VDLUFA and EN 14152 — EFSA recorded dioxins above the feed material limit in two batches and fumonisin B1 up to 2000 µg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1254, published on 26 June 2025, authorises until 16 July 2035 riboflavin (vitamin B2, 3a827) produced with the non-genetically modified strain Eremothecium ashbyi CCTCCM 2019833 in the form of a dried, inactivated fermentation product with at least 5 % riboflavin and moisture ≤ 7 % for all animal species. In 2021 EFSA could not conclude on safety; in 2024 — after new genotoxicity studies and a 90-day study — it found the additive safe. - Lysate of Willaertia magna approved as a low-risk substance until 7 July 2040 — for the whole species, not only strain C2c Maky; the manufacturer must observe microbial contaminant limits under OECD document No 65, and the EFSA specification is based on qPCR of the strain’s genomic DNA —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1177, published on 17 June 2025, approves lysate of Willaertia magna as a low-risk active substance in plant protection products for the period from 7 July 2025 to 7 July 2040 (Part D of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 540/2011, entry 53). The application was submitted by AMOEBA SA in Austria on 18 June 2020; the EFSA conclusions were delivered on 13 December 2024. - Pesticide MRLs: temporary chlorpropham MRL in potatoes from stores lowered from 0.35 to 0.2 mg/kg, methoxyfenozide in aubergines 0.3 instead of 0.6 mg/kg (LC-MS/MS, LOQ 0.01), fuberidazole, ipconazole, S-metolachlor and triflusulfuron moved to Annex V at the LOQ — from 6 January 2026 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1163, published on 16 June 2025 and applicable from 6 January 2026, amends Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005: it lowers the temporary chlorpropham MRL in potatoes, sets the methoxyfenozide MRL in aubergines at the level proposed by EFSA (reasoned opinion of 2024) and moves four substances without approval, CXLs or import tolerances to Annex V. Products placed on the market before 6 January 2026 remain subject to the previous rules. - Quinolin-8-ol (8-hydroxyquinoline) renewed until 30 June 2032 as a candidate for substitution: drip irrigation in permanent greenhouses only, 22 days before harvest; EFSA — HPLC-MS/MS with an LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg, ADI and ARfD 0.017 mg/kg bw —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1152, published on 12 June 2025, renews from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2032 the approval of the fungicide and bactericide quinolin-8-ol as a candidate for substitution, because Regulation (EU) 2017/776 classified it as toxic for reproduction category 1B. According to the act, human exposure is negligible under the conditions imposed. In its conclusion of 28 February 2024 EFSA assessed the use against soil-borne pathogens in tomatoes grown in permanent greenhouses; the negligible exposure assessment could not be concluded because of data gaps on residues. - Two new flavouring substances on the EU list: naringenin (FL 16.132) from grapefruit peel, a bitterness masker — in 18 food categories at 200–1,000 mg/kg, purity ≥ 95 % (HPLC), racemate; and the cooling FL 16.134 only in chewing gum up to 100 mg/kg, purity ≥ 99 % (HPLC-UV at 257 nm, diastereomer ratio on a chiral phase) —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1112, published on 5 June 2025, enters in Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 naringenin (FL 16.132, CAS 480-41-1; application of 27 October 2021) and 2-methyl-1-(2-(5-(p-tolyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)piperidin-1-yl)butan-1-one (FL 16.134, CAS 2413115-68-9; application of 30 June 2016). In opinions of 20 and 21 March 2024 EFSA found no safety concern for the requested uses — for naringenin also as regards genotoxicity and interaction with medicinal products, for FL 16.134 also combined with exposure from toothpaste and mouthwash. - Veterinary drug residues: “chemical-unlike” biological substances (cells, organisms) are now assessed by EMA for the classification “No MRL required” under Article 14 of Regulation 470/2009; until now they went onto an Agency list, outside Table 1 of Regulation 37/2010 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1101, published on 4 June 2025, amends Section I.7 of Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/782 on the methodological principles for the assessment of maximum residue limits (MRLs). When assessing a chemical-unlike biological substance, the European Medicines Agency now determines whether the classification “no maximum residue limit required” under Article 14(2)(c) of Regulation (EC) No 470/2009 is appropriate — rather than only whether a full MRL assessment is needed. - Ketoprofen in ruminants, pigs and equids: the end of the “No MRL required” status — 50 µg/kg in muscle and kidney, 20 µg/kg in milk; HPLC-UV with an LOQ of 50 µg/kg is no longer sufficient —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1105, published on 4 June 2025, replaces in Table 1 of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 37/2010 the classification “No MRL required” with numerical maximum residue limits for ketoprofen in all ruminants, pigs and equids. It is based on the recommendation of the European Medicines Agency of 7 November 2024, issued after a review the Commission requested in March 2023. - Flufenacet not renewed: authorisations withdrawn by 10 December 2025, use of stocks until 10 December 2026; the metabolite TFA above 10 µg/L in groundwater in all 9 FOCUS scenarios at 160–240 g/ha, thyroid endocrine disruption; EFSA — HPLC-MS/MS with an LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg in plants and 0.05 µg/L in water —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/910, published on 21 May 2025, does not renew the approval of the herbicide flufenacet, used in winter cereals. The Commission relies on the EFSA conclusions of 29 August 2024: flufenacet meets the criteria for an endocrine disruptor (thyroid) in humans and non-target organisms, and its metabolite trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) may contaminate groundwater well above 0.1 µg/L in all scenarios. Member States withdraw authorisations by 10 December 2025 and the grace period for using up stocks expires on 10 December 2026 at the latest. - Personal protective equipment: EN 17487:2024 (permethrin-treated garments against tick bites) and four parts of EN 14404:2024 (knee protectors) in the list; EN 352-2:2020+A1:2024 (earplugs) without presumption as regards a label with the attenuation level —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/895, published on 16 May 2025, adds to the list of harmonised standards for Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment (Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/941) five new and four amended standards, two of them with a notice limiting the presumption of conformity, and EN 50365:2023 on electrically insulating helmets with corrigendum AC:2024-09. The deletion of four old rows applies from 16 November 2026. - RED: 20 ETSI standards in the list, 9 with restrictions — including EN 303 687 (6 GHz RLAN: narrowband devices and test B.7.2 based on an undisclosed IEEE specification) and EN 301 406-2 (DECT-2020 NR); EN 301 893 V2.1.1 (5 GHz RLAN) until 15 May 2028, EN 303 098 (AIS personal locators) withdrawn —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/893, published on 15 May 2025, adds 20 ETSI standards — 11 without and 9 with restrictions — to the list of harmonised standards for Directive 2014/53/EU (Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2191), changes the restrictions of three EMC standards and withdraws EN 303 098 V2.2.1. It deletes the old versions from 15 November 2026, and EN 301 893 V2.1.1 from 15 May 2028. - Elemental iron approved as a low-risk active substance until 26 May 2040: ≥ 989 g/kg total iron, arsenic ≤ 0.003, mercury ≤ 0.001 and lead ≤ 0.01 g/kg; EFSA: no specific method for elemental iron, so purity refers to total iron —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/845, published on 6 May 2025, approves elemental iron (CAS No 7439-89-6) as a low-risk active substance in plant protection products for the period from 26 May 2025 to 26 May 2040 and adds it to Part D of the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 as entry 52. It is based on the EFSA conclusions of 2 October 2024. - Lenacil renewed until 30 June 2040 and removed from the list of candidates for substitution; EFSA — DFG S19 with HPLC-MS/MS (LOQ 0.01 mg/kg), air method no longer sensitive enough after the AOEL was lowered, metabolite IN-KF313 in groundwater up to 0.214 µg/L —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/833, published on 6 May 2025, renews from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2040 the approval of the herbicide lenacil (representative uses: sugar and fodder beet). Lenacil was on the list of candidates for substitution as persistent and toxic; the assessment showed that it does not meet the bioaccumulation and toxicity criteria of Annex II, so it was deleted from Regulation (EU) 2015/408. It is based on the EFSA conclusion of 11 June 2024, according to which lenacil has no endocrine-disrupting properties. - Carbonates in feed: the official method returns to Regulation 152/2009 a year after its deletion — decomposition with hydrochloric acid (1.10 g/mL), CO₂ volume measured with a Scheibler-Dietrich apparatus or a calcimeter, result as calcium carbonate against 0.5 g of pure CaCO₃; test portion 0.5 g, 1 g or 2–3 g —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/782, published on 24 April 2025, adds Part P — determination of carbonates in feed — to Annex III to Regulation (EC) No 152/2009. The same method had been deleted by Implementing Regulation 2024/771, which considered that EU feed law no longer required compliance checks for it. The Commission reinstates it because carbonates have to be quantified in the authorised feed additive lanthanum carbonate octahydrate, and the Catalogue of feed materials (Regulation No 68/2013) requires a compulsory declaration of calcium carbonate for certain feed materials. - L-valine from Escherichia coli CGMCC 22721 (3c374): at least 98 % DM, determination by IEC-VIS, moisture stated on the label instead of a limit, losses in premixture up to 15 % after 6 months, endotoxins — 100 EU per working day against a threshold of 900 EU —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/756, published on 22 April 2025, authorises until 12 May 2035 L-valine produced with genetically modified E. coli CGMCC 22721 (a K-12 derivative) as a nutritional additive for all animal species, in feed and in water for drinking. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 18 September 2024 (applicant: Eppen Europe SAS), which EFSA temporarily removed on 11 October 2024 and republished with corrections on 26 October 2024. - L-tyrosine from hydrolysis of poultry feather keratin (3c401) renewed until 12 May 2035 for all species: min. 95 %, optical rotation and titration in the additive according to Ph. Eur. 1161, IEC-VIS in premixtures and feed according to Regulation 152/2009; EFSA — dusting potential up to 8417 mg/m³, half of the particle volume below 10 µm —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/752, published on 22 April 2025, renews for 10 years the authorisation of L-tyrosine as a nutritional additive in the amino acids group for all animal species and repeals Regulation (EU) No 101/2014. According to the EFSA opinion of 4 June 2024 the additive remains safe for animals, consumers and the environment; it is not irritant to skin or eyes, but EFSA could not conclude whether it is a skin sensitiser, and inhalation exposure is likely. The EU reference laboratory considered its earlier evaluation of the methods still valid, so no new report was drawn up. A corrigendum of 27 April 2026 was published only in the Portuguese version. - Silage additives: Lentilactobacillus buchneri DSM 32651 (1k21903) authorised for all species — at least 1×10¹¹ CFU/g, dose 1×10⁸ CFU/kg of easy and moderately difficult to ensile forage; enumeration on MRS agar (EN 15787), identification by ERIC-PCR, sequencing or PFGE —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/720, published on 16 April 2025, authorises until 6 May 2035 a preparation of Lentilactobacillus buchneri DSM 32651 as a technological additive in the functional group of silage additives for all animal species. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 18 September 2024: the strain is safe for animals, consumers and the environment, and at a dose of at least 1×10⁸ CFU/kg fresh material it can improve the aerobic stability of silage from material with a dry matter content of 28 % to 45 %. - Sodium (1i535) and potassium ferrocyanide (1i536) in feed salt authorised until 4 May 2035: 80 mg ferrocyanide ion/kg NaCl for turkeys, pigs, ruminants and others, 60 mg for all other species; determination by spectrophotometry at 700 nm, characterisation by the JECFA monograph —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/708, published on 14 April 2025, following a re-evaluation authorises sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide as technological additives (anticaking agents) for all animal species — only in sodium chloride — and repeals Regulation (EC) No 1810/2005, which had authorised them without a time limit. In opinions of 21 March 2023 and 4 June 2024 EFSA found them safe for animals, consumers and the environment; at first it could not conclude on chickens for fattening and other species, which was resolved by a limit of 60 mg/kg salt. The additive and premixtures labelled before 4 November 2025, feed for food-producing animals labelled before 4 May 2026 and for other animals before 4 May 2027 may be used until stocks are exhausted. - Xylanase and glucanase from Trichoderma reesei MUCL 49755/49754 (4a9) renewed for pigs, poultry and turkeys and authorised for suckling piglets; EFSA: no data on compliance of the formulation with calcium carbonate + sepiolite carrier, dusting potential up to 14 325 mg/m³ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/711, published on 11 April 2025, renews the authorisation of the preparation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (T. reesei MUCL 49755) and endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase (T. reesei MUCL 49754) as a zootechnical digestibility enhancer for weaned piglets, laying hens and minor poultry species, fattening pigs of all Suidae and turkeys for fattening, authorises it for suckling piglets and repeals three earlier regulations. It is based on three EFSA opinions of 2024. - Indigo carmine (2a132) as a colourant in feed for cats and dogs up to 250 mg/kg and for ornamental fish up to 1000 mg/kg, valid until 1 May 2035: total colouring matter ≥ 85 %, lead ≤ 2 mg/kg; spectrophotometry at 610 nm in the additive, LC-MS/MS in feed —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/714, published on 11 April 2025, following a re-evaluation authorises indigo carmine as a sensory additive in the colourants group for cats, dogs and ornamental fish; it had previously been authorised without a time limit under Directive 70/524/EEC (for ornamental fish under the name “indigotine”). The Commission relies on the EFSA opinions of 28 April 2015 and 27 June 2024: indigo carmine with a purity of at least 85 % colouring matter is safe up to 250 mg/kg complete feed for cats and dogs and up to 1000 mg/kg for ornamental fish. A corrigendum of 27 April 2026 was published only in the Portuguese version. - Oil from the microalga Schizochytrium sp. (FCC-3204) authorised in protein products (excluding dairy analogues) up to 1 g DHA/100 g — for Fermentalg only until 30 April 2030; specification unchanged: DHA ≥ 32 %, peroxide value ≤ 5.0 meq/kg, anisidine value ≤ 10; EFSA — no viable cells, lower oxidation markers in extruded soy mass than in the control —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/688, published on 10 April 2025, extends the conditions of use of the novel food ‘Schizochytrium sp. (FCC-3204) oil’, authorised in 2021 (Regulation 2021/1326), to protein products excluding dairy analogues, for the general population. The application was submitted by the French company Fermentalg (Libourne) — on 23 December 2023 according to the act, on 22 June 2023 according to the EFSA opinion. EFSA adopted its opinion on 24 September 2024: the novel food is safe under the new use. - Vitamin D2 mushroom powder (Luxidum) authorised as a novel food: 245–460 µg D2/g after UV irradiation, up to 15 µg/day in food supplements; EFSA — vitamin D2 by LC-MS/MS, photoisomers by GC-MS (vitamin D4 5.5 µg/g, tachysterol 21.2 µg/g), 31 % less D2 after 37 months —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/691, published on 10 April 2025, adds to the Union list of novel foods vitamin D2 mushroom powder (Agaricus bisporus), produced by controlled UV irradiation that converts ergosterol into vitamin D2; Luxidum GmbH (Germany) holds exclusivity until 30 April 2030. It is authorised in more than a dozen food categories, in foods for special medical purposes (excluding infants) and in food supplements (excluding infants and young children). In its opinion of 30 April 2024 EFSA found it safe: the combined vitamin D intake stays below the upper levels of 50 and 100 µg/day. - Novel food: wider specification for partially defatted rapeseed powder — protein from 28 % (was 33 %), fat from 10 % (was 14 %), moisture below 11 % (was 7 %), ash below 8 % with no lower limit; a new process with lactic acid bacteria fermentation without an EFSA assessment —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/682, published on 9 April 2025, replaces in Table 2 of the Union list of novel foods (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470) the specification of “partially defatted rapeseed powder from Brassica rapa L. and Brassica napus L.”, authorised by Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/120. The application of 19 October 2023 was submitted by Ferm Food ApS; the Commission considered that the changes do not affect the safety assessed by EFSA in 2020 and did not request a new assessment. - L-arginine from Escherichia coli CGMCC 7.401 (3c366): determination by IEC-VIS, losses of 17–33 % in premixture after 6 months, pelleting at 76 °C takes 10–16 %, distribution in feed after subtracting the background — CV 56 %, citrinin in the additive 27–419 μg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/634, published on 2 April 2025, authorises until 22 April 2035 L-arginine produced with genetically modified E. coli CGMCC 7.401 (a K-12 derivative) as a nutritional additive for all animal species, in feed and in water for drinking. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 18 September 2024 (applicant: Eppen Europe SAS). In recitals 2–5 of the Polish version the substance appears 9 times spelt “L-arganina”, in the title and annex as L-arginina; the English version has L-arginine throughout. - ATEX: EN 14983:2024 (equipment and protective systems for firedamp drainage in underground mines) in the list of harmonised standards; the presumption of conformity from the 2007 edition expired on 1 October 2026 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/597, published on 1 April 2025, enters in the list of harmonised standards for Directive 2014/34/EU (Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/1668) the standard EN 14983:2024 “Explosion prevention and protection in underground mines – Equipment and protective systems for firedamp drainage” as row 42a. It deletes row 42 with the EN 14983:2007 edition from 1 October 2026. - Three essential oils authorised in feed until 21 April 2035: geranium rose (2b324-eo, marker citronellol, GC-FID per ISO 4731, recommended 5 mg/kg), eucalyptus (2b185-eo, 1,8-cineole 70–87 %, ISO 770, methyleugenol ≤ 0.005 %, 10–75 mg/kg) and lemongrass (2b38-eo, neral and geranial, ISO 4718, methyleugenol plus elemicin ≤ 0.01 %, 33–125 mg/kg); not in water for drinking —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/630, published on 1 April 2025, authorises as sensory additives (flavouring compounds) for all animal species three oils previously used under Directive 70/524/EEC. The applicant also wanted use in water for drinking, but Regulation 1831/2003 does not allow flavouring compounds to be authorised in water. EFSA (opinions of 4 July 2023) found the oils safe at specified concentrations, for consumers and the environment; all three are to be regarded as irritant to skin and eyes and as dermal and respiratory sensitisers. - Refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function: standard EN 16838:2024 (refrigerated scooping cabinets and “pozzetto” for artisan gelato — classification, requirements and energy consumption testing) harmonised both for energy labelling 2019/2018 and for ecodesign 2019/2024 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/533, published on 26 March 2025 and in force from the day of publication, publishes in the Official Journal the reference of standard EN 16838:2024 “Refrigerated display scooping cabinets and pozzetto for gelato — Classification, requirements, performance and energy consumption testing” — in Annex I for Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2018 (energy labelling) and in Annex II for Regulation (EU) 2019/2024 (ecodesign). CEN drafted it under the Commission’s request C(2022) 2764 of 2 May 2022 (M/582). - Electromagnetic compatibility: Lithuania’s Communications Regulatory Authority (Vilnius) designated as the Union testing facility for EMC for market surveillance — from a call also covering construction products and emissions from non-road mobile machinery; review by 14 April 2030 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/526, published on 25 March 2025, designates under Article 21(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1020 on market surveillance the Communications Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Lithuania (Mortos str. 14, Vilnius) as the Union testing facility for electromagnetic compatibility. Lithuania applied in response to the call for expression of interest CFEI/GRO/IMA/25/2711/14318, assessed in line with the conditions of the call. - Trichinella in pork: lumiVAST Trichinella (chemiluminescence immunoassay) authorised as an equivalent method, reference method ISO 18743:2015/Amd1:2023; sample from a diaphragm pillar at least 1 g, 2 g from breeding sows and boars, 5 g from cuts of meat; 50 of 50 samples correct in the EURL validation —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/506, published on 20 March 2025, enters into force on 9 April 2025 and amends Annex I to Regulation 2015/1375 on official controls for Trichinella in meat. The reference method is now the standard in its version ISO 18743:2015/Amd1:2023, the act itself lays down the weights of samples taken from domestic swine (the standard does not specify them), and adds Part F to the equivalent methods — automated detection of Trichinella with the lumiVAST Trichinella test, for meat of domestic swine only. - Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-4407 yeast (4b1702) authorised for cattle for fattening until 16 March 2035: at least 5 × 10⁹ CFU/g of additive, 4 × 10⁹ CFU/kg of feed, counting according to EN 15789, PCR identification according to CEN/TS 15790; EFSA extrapolated efficacy from dairy cows and calves, supported by one of five new studies —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/364, published on 24 February 2025, authorises the preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-4407 (formerly NCYC Sc 47, holder S.I. Lesaffre) as a zootechnical additive — gut flora stabiliser — for cattle for fattening, as part of the re-evaluation of an additive authorised without time limit in 2003 under Directive 70/524/EEC. It repeals Article 1 and Annex I of Regulation (EC) No 316/2003. - Pyrotechnic articles: fireworks of categories F1, F2 and F3 without a harmonised standard — the Commission withdrew EN 15947:2015 (parts 1–5) and did not publish EN 15947:2022, as it does not meet the request; 16 standards remain listed (vehicle, theatrical, F4 pyrotechnics), terminology parts dropped —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/337, published on 24 February 2025 and in force from the day of publication, establishes a new complete list of harmonised standards for Directive 2013/29/EU on pyrotechnic articles and repeals Communication 2017/C 149/01. References from the former list given in Annex II — including the whole EN 15947:2015 series for F1–F3 fireworks — remained applicable only until 24 March 2025. - Three new silage strains for all species: Lactococcus lactis DSM 34262 (1k2084), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 34271 (1k20763) and Loigolactobacillus coryniformis DSM 34345 (1k21801), at least 1 × 10⁸ CFU/kg fresh material; counting on MRS agar (ISO 15214 or EN 15787), identification by PFGE (CEN/TS 17697) or DNA sequencing; PEG 4000 up to 0.025 mg/kg silage —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/359, published on 24 February 2025, authorises the preparation of Lactococcus lactis DSM 34262 as a technological additive (silage additives) for all animal species until 16 March 2035. Like two acts published on 13 February 2025 — 2025/273 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 34271) and 2025/277 (Loigolactobacillus coryniformis DSM 34345, both until 5 March 2035) — it relies on EFSA opinions of 26 June 2024: QPS species, identity established, no acquired antimicrobial resistance genes of concern. - Saccharomyces cerevisiae MUCL 39885 yeast (Biosprint®, 4b1710) for cattle for fattening renewed until 10 March 2035: ≥ 1 × 10⁹ CFU/g, 4 × 10⁹ CFU/kg of feed, EN 15789 and PCR; EFSA: 54 batches averaging 1.74–1.75 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g, mercury 27.1 mg/kg in one batch —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/314, published on 18 February 2025, renews the authorisation of the preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae MUCL 39885 (holder Prosol SPA) as a zootechnical additive — gut flora stabiliser — for cattle for fattening and repeals Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1059/2013. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 13 March 2024 (e8720). - Lanthanum carbonate octahydrate (4d23) authorised for adult dogs until 10 March 2035: 1500–7500 mg/kg feed to reduce urinary phosphorus excretion; lanthanum determined by ICP-AES, carbonate by the EU method of Regulation (EC) No 152/2009 —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/313, published on 18 February 2025, authorises lanthanum carbonate octahydrate (holder of authorisation: Porus GmbH) as a zootechnical additive in the group “other zootechnical additives” — reduction of urinary phosphorus excretion — for dogs, adults only. The same additive was already authorised for cats. In its opinion of 13 March 2024 EFSA found it safe for adult dogs up to 7500 mg/kg and efficacious in reducing phosphorus bioavailability from 1500 mg/kg; the reference laboratory considered the earlier assessment of methods for cats still valid. - Personal protective equipment: EN 352-6, -8, -9 and -10 as +A1:2024 (hearing protectors with safety-related audio input and entertainment audio) and EN 813:2024 (sit harnesses) in the list of harmonised standards; EN 175:1997 drops out from 11 November 2025, the old versions from 14 August 2026 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/286, published on 14 February 2025, amends the list of harmonised standards for Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on personal protective equipment (Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/941). It adds four parts of EN 352 with amendment A1:2024 and EN 813:2024, and deletes their previous versions as well as EN 175:1997 for eye and face protection during welding, withdrawn by CEN and replaced by EN ISO 16321-2:2021. - L-cystine from hydrolysis of poultry feather keratin (3c391) — authorisation renewed until 5 March 2035; ≥ 98.5 %, determination by IEC-VIS/FLD, impurity specification according to the 2019 Ph. Eur. monograph, protection now for the respiratory tract only —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/272, published on 13 February 2025, renews the authorisation of L-cystine as a nutritional additive (amino acids) for all animal species and repeals Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1006/2013, which had authorised it for 10 years. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 18 April 2024 (e8800) and an updated report of the reference laboratory on the methods of analysis. - Clove tincture (2b188-t) as a flavouring in feed until 5 March 2035: 50 mg/kg for all species except equines and 200 mg/kg for equines, not in drinking water; GC-FID for eugenol, methyleugenol (≤ 0.00022 %) and estragole (≤ 0.00009 %), polyphenols by spectrophotometry —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/276, published on 13 February 2025, following a re-evaluation authorises a tincture of dried clove flower buds (Syzygium aromaticum) as a sensory additive for all animal species; it had previously been authorised under Directive 70/524/EEC. Use in drinking water was not authorised, because Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 does not provide for this for flavouring compounds. The Commission relies on the EFSA opinion of 17 April 2024 and, because of methyleugenol and estragole, sets maximum contents in feed. - Cedarwood Texas essential oil from Juniperus deppeana (2b91722-eo) as a flavouring in feed until 5 March 2035: cis-thujopsene 25–35 % determined by GC-FID (ISO 4725), (+)-cedrol ≥ 20 %, α-cedrene 15–25 %, β-cedrene 3–8 %; recommended maximum contents from 4 mg/kg for cats to 15 mg/kg for dogs, horses and fish, among others —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/278, published on 13 February 2025, following a re-evaluation authorises the essential oil from the wood of Mexican juniper (Juniperus deppeana, synonym J. mexicana) as a sensory additive for all animal species; it had previously been authorised under Directive 70/524/EEC. Use in drinking water was not authorised. The Commission relies on the EFSA opinion of 18 April 2024 and considers that safety does not require maximum contents — recommended maximum contents for individual species are stated on the label. - Cajuput oil from Melaleuca cajuputi and M. leucadendra (2b276-eo) as a flavouring in feed until 5 March 2035: 1,8-cineole 50–70 % determined by GC-FID (ISO 11024), α-terpineol 4–12 %, d-limonene 3–9 %, and methyleugenol, estragole and safrole ≤ 0.01 mg/kg (EFSA’s GC-MS limit of detection); recommended maximum contents from 5 mg/kg for cats to 78 mg/kg for calves —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/279, published on 13 February 2025, following a re-evaluation authorises the essential oil from the leaves of Melaleuca cajuputi and Melaleuca leucadendra as a sensory additive for all animal species; it had previously been authorised under Directive 70/524/EEC. Use in drinking water was not authorised. The Commission relies on the EFSA opinion of 13 March 2024 and sets no maximum contents — recommended maximum contents for individual species are stated on the label. EFSA stipulated that its conclusions apply only to oil in which methyleugenol, estragole and safrole are not detected. - Propyl gallate (1b310) as an antioxidant in feed for all species until 5 March 2035: spectrophotometry at 275 nm in the additive (Ph. Eur. 1039), RP-HPLC-UV-DAD at 285 nm in premixtures and feed (LOQ 6 mg/kg); limits from 15 mg/kg for chickens to 100 mg/kg for ornamental fish, no use in drinking water —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/281, published on 13 February 2025, following a re-evaluation authorises propyl gallate as a technological additive in the antioxidants group for all animal species; it had previously been authorised without a time limit under Directive 70/524/EEC. The request for use in drinking water was not granted, because Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 does not provide for this for technological additives. In 2020 EFSA could not assess safety for cats and consumers; in its 2024 opinion it found 71 mg/kg safe for cats and the additive safe for consumers. A corrigendum of 27 November 2025 added the expiry date of the authorisation: 5 March 2035. - The new hydrogen quality specification covers combustion engines —
The hydrogen quality standard has a second edition with grades for combustion engines — vehicular and stationary — alongside the fuel cell requirements. In an interlaboratory comparison only three of thirteen laboratories stayed within the permitted deviations. - Pig carcass grading in Czechia: seven methods for 60–120 kg carcasses — the new FOM II, updated formulas for ZP, the ultrasound IS-D-05 and the needle IS-D-15; the manual ZP method only in slaughterhouses killing up to 200 pigs a week —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/241, published on 10 February 2025, authorises seven methods for assessing the lean meat content of pig carcasses in Czechia and repeals Decision 2005/1/EC, which had authorised six. Fat-O-Meater II (FOM II) is new; updated formulas were approved for the Zwei-Punkte-Messverfahren, Ultra-sound IS-D-05 and Needle IS-D-15, while FOM, HGP 4 and Ultra FOM 300 remain. All formulas apply to carcasses weighing 60 to 120 kg. - Fenbuconazole and penconazole — MRLs after confirmatory data, from 24 August 2025: fenbuconazole in grapes from 1.5 to 0.01 mg/kg (no data on triazole derivative metabolites, TDMs), in tea 30 mg/kg from Codex, in milk 0.01 instead of 0.05; penconazole in pome fruits 0.3 instead of 0.15, in raspberries and blackberries 0.4 instead of 0.1 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/195, published on 4 February 2025, replaces the fenbuconazole and penconazole columns in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. It closes the MRL reviews of 2017–2018: in 2019 the Commission set some levels provisionally, with footnotes on missing data; it now assesses the confirmatory data (EFSA 2023) — where they were not provided, MRLs fall to the limit of determination, and all footnotes on missing data are deleted. The new levels apply from 24 August 2025. - Xylanase, subtilisin and alpha-amylase (Avizyme® 1505, 4a10) renewed and extended to all poultry: three colorimetric methods with azurine-crosslinked substrates, for turkeys for fattening the dose lowered from 300/4 000/400 to 187.5/2 500/250 U/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/193, published on 3 February 2025, renews until 23 February 2035 the authorisation of the preparation of endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (Trichoderma reesei CBS 143953), subtilisin (Bacillus subtilis CBS 143946) and alpha-amylase (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CBS 143954) for chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening, ducks and laying hens, authorises it for the other poultry (holder Genencor International B.V.) and repeals Regulations (EC) No 1087/2009 and (EU) No 389/2011. - L-tryptophan from Escherichia coli CGMCC 7.460 (3c442): HPLC-FLD according to EN ISO 13904, EBT at most 10 mg/kg, dusting potential up to 12.9 g/m³ — EFSA calculated 2 150 IU of endotoxins per working day against a threshold of 900 IU, the act limits exposure to 1 600 IU/m³ —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/188, published on 3 February 2025, authorises until 23 February 2035 L-tryptophan produced with the non-genetically modified strain E. coli CGMCC 7.460 (a K-12 derivative) as a nutritional additive for all animal species, in feed and in water for drinking. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 12 March 2024 (applicant: Kempex Holland B.V.). - Nonanoic acid as a feed flavouring: recommended maximum for poultry for fattening and reared, piglets and pigs for fattening raised from 5 to 100 mg/kg, for laying hens, sows and others it stays at 5 mg/kg; EFSA — in tolerance trials recovery of the acid from feed only 58–72 %, conclusions based on measured content, batch purity 98.2 % —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/183, published on 3 February 2025, amends the authorisation of nonanoic acid (Regulation 2017/53, sensory additive, flavouring compound for all species). The recommended maximum content in complete feed with 12 % moisture is now 100 mg/kg for all poultry for fattening, poultry reared for laying or breeding, piglets (suckling and weaned) and pigs for fattening of all Suidae, and 5 mg/kg for other species and categories. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 1 February 2024. - Saccharomyces cerevisiae DBVPG 48 SF yeast (4d24) authorised for ruminants other than dairy — at least 4 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed, until 20 February 2035; identification by PCR (CEN/TS 15790), plate count (EN 15789); EFSA — efficacy confirmed by three trials in calves, the powder formulation releases up to 2,390 mg/m³ of dust —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/169, published on 31 January 2025, authorises the preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DBVPG 48 SF (authorisation holder: Mazzoleni S.p.A., trade name BioCell®) as a zootechnical additive (other zootechnical additives — improvement of performance parameters) for ruminants other than dairy cows and minor dairy ruminants. For horses, dairy ruminants and pigs the preparation had already been authorised by Regulation 2023/2734; there was no authorisation for fattening ruminants then, because in 2023 EFSA could not assess efficacy in calves. - Glucosyl hesperidin authorised as a novel food: monoglucosyl hesperidin 75.0–85.0 % and hesperidin 10–20 % on a dry basis, up to 525 mg/L in sports and energy drinks; EFSA — batches tested by HPLC-UV and HPLC-RI in ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories, identity confirmed by NMR —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/167, published on 31 January 2025, adds to the Union list of novel foods glucosyl hesperidin (Nagase Viita Co., Ltd., Japan; exclusivity until 20 February 2030) — produced enzymatically from hesperidin from citrus peel, juice or seeds and dextrin. Authorised uses are non-alcoholic drinks marketed in relation to physical exercise, energy drinks and food supplements (excluding infants and young children). In its opinion of 25 June 2024 EFSA found it safe with a margin of exposure of about 200 to a NOAEL of about 1000 mg/kg bw per day. A corrigendum of 5 May 2025 added the end date of data protection. - Acetamiprid: MRLs lowered after EFSA reduced the ADI and ARfD from 0.025 to 0.005 mg/kg bw — currants, bananas, lettuces, escaroles, spinach and chards to the limit of quantification of 0.01 mg/kg, apples and pears from 0.4 to 0.07 mg/kg, in animal products the sum with IM-2-1; applicable from 19 August 2025 —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/158, published on 30 January 2025, replaces the acetamiprid column in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. It is based on EFSA statement e8759 (May 2024), which lowered the ADI and ARfD and included the metabolite IM-2-1 in the residue definition for risk assessment in fruit and leafy crops; the new MRLs apply from 19 August 2025. - Levilactobacillus brevis DSM 21982 (1k20715) for silage renewed until 19 February 2035: ≥ 8 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g, counting on MRS agar according to EN 15787, identification by PFGE (CEN/TS 17697) or DNA sequencing; EFSA: five batches averaging 6.6 × 10¹¹ CFU/g, MICs of ampicillin and tetracycline one dilution above the cut-off —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/151, published on 30 January 2025, renews the authorisation of the preparation of Levilactobacillus brevis DSM 21982 (formerly Lactobacillus brevis DSMZ 21982) as a technological silage additive for all animal species and repeals Implementing Regulation (EU) No 838/2012. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 12 March 2024 (e8725). - Cybersecurity of radio equipment: EN 18031-1, -2 and -3:2024 in the list of harmonised standards with restrictions — no presumption of conformity where the user may set no password (clauses 6.2.5.1–6.2.5.2), where parental control is missing and for the secure-update criteria of clause 6.3.2.4 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/138, published on 30 January 2025, adds rows 164–166 to the list of harmonised standards for Directive 2014/53/EU (Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2191): EN 18031-1:2024, EN 18031-2:2024 and EN 18031-3:2024 for the essential requirements of Article 3(3), first subparagraph, points (d), (e) and (f), activated by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30. Each of the three standards enters with notes restricting the presumption of conformity. - Silage: authorisation of Pediococcus pentosaceus DSM 14021 (1k1009) renewed until 2035 — enumeration on MRS agar according to EN 15786, identification by PFGE according to CEN/TS 17697 or sequencing, batches 5.6–9.4 × 10¹¹ CFU/g, aflatoxin B1 tested with a method with an LOQ of 46 μg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/159, published on 30 January 2025, renews until 19 February 2035 the authorisation of a preparation of Pediococcus pentosaceus DSM 14021 as a technological silage additive for all animal species and repeals Implementing Regulation (EU) No 84/2014, which also covered strains DSM 23688 and DSM 23689. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 12 March 2024 (applicant: Chr. Hansen A/S); the EU reference laboratory considered its earlier evaluation of the methods still valid. - L-isoleucine from non-modified Corynebacterium glutamicum CGMCC 20437 (3c385): at least 93.5 % DM, optical rotation of one batch below the Ph. Eur. range, dusting potential up to 2.5 g/m³, distribution in feed after subtracting the background — CV 23 % —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/143, published on 30 January 2025, authorises until 19 February 2035 L-isoleucine produced with Corynebacterium glutamicum CGMCC 20437 as a nutritional additive for all animal species, in feed and in water for drinking. According to the EFSA opinion of 12 March 2024 (applicant: Eppen Europe SAS) the strain is not genetically modified, and no viable cells of it were detected in the product. - L-threonine from Escherichia coli CGMCC 7.455 (3c412) for all animal species: at least 98.5 % threonine, IEC-VIS/FLD according to EN ISO 17180, endotoxins below 300 IU/g — EFSA calculated 17 IU per working day against a threshold of 900 IU —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/160, published on 30 January 2025, authorises until 19 February 2035 L-threonine produced with genetically modified E. coli CGMCC 7.455 as a nutritional additive (amino acids, their salts and analogues) for all animal species, in feed and in water for drinking. It is based on the EFSA opinion of 12 March 2024 (applicant: Kempex Holland B.V.). - Zoxamide — new MRLs from 19 August 2025: onions, garlic and shallots 0.7 mg/kg (import tolerance, US uses), tomatoes 2 mg/kg instead of 0.5, chives 0.01 mg/kg instead of 30, honey 0.2 mg/kg, aubergines 0.5 mg/kg with a footnote; EFSA — QuEChERS with LC-MS/MS, LOQ 0.01 mg/kg —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/146, published on 30 January 2025, replaces the zoxamide column in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 and deletes it from Annex III. It is based on the EFSA reasoned opinion on the review of existing MRLs (Article 12), combined with Gowan Crop Protection’s application for an import tolerance for onions, extrapolated to garlic and shallots. The new levels apply from 19 August 2025; products placed on the market earlier remain under the previous rules. - New flavouring substance FL 16.135 — a synthetic amide with a cooling effect — on the Union list: confectionery up to 250 mg/kg, chewing gum up to 500 mg/kg, decorations and toppings up to 150 mg/kg; EFSA — purity determined by GC-FID and HPLC-UV at 280 nm, recommended minimum 98 %, BMDL 101 mg/kg bw per day —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/140, published on 30 January 2025, enters (E)-3-benzo[1,3]dioxol-5-yl-N,N-diphenyl-2-propenamide (FL No 16.135, CAS 1309389-73-8) in Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 — the Union list of flavouring substances. The application was submitted on 15 January 2019; in its opinion of 18 May 2022 EFSA found no safety concern at the estimated intake, also combined with exposure from toothpaste, in which the substance is already used. - 4-Methyl-2-phenylpent-2-enal (FL 05.100) removed from the Union list of flavourings: aneugenicity could not be ruled out, and producers submitted no data and declared that the substance is no longer used; EFSA — gene mutations (Big Blue) and clastogenicity (comet assay in the duodenum) ruled out for the representative substance, micronuclei in vitro by aneugenicity —
Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/147, published on 30 January 2025, removes 4-methyl-2-phenylpent-2-enal (FL No 05.100, CAS 26643-91-4) from Part A of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008. The substance had been listed conditionally, with a footnote requiring EFSA to complete its evaluation. In its opinion of 29 June 2022 (FGE.216Rev2) EFSA concluded that the representative substance of the group, 2-phenylcrotonaldehyde (FL 05.062), acts by an aneugenic mode of action, and that the in vivo micronucleus studies were inconclusive — so potential aneugenicity cannot be ruled out for any substance in the group. - Six cellulose derivatives in feed after re-evaluation — 25 authorisations until 19 February 2035 (emulsifiers, stabilisers, thickeners, gelling agents, binders): microcrystalline cellulose ≥ 97 %, methyl cellulose 25–33 % methoxyl groups, ethyl cellulose 44–50 % ethoxyl, HPC, HPMC and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose ≥ 99.5 %; identification under Regulation 231/2012, JECFA monographs and the European Pharmacopoeia —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/157, published on 30 January 2025, completes the re-evaluation of six cellulose derivatives authorised without time limit under Directive 70/524/EEC and lists them as technological additives for all animal species, without content limits. Microcrystalline cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose additionally obtain the new functional group ‘binders’. EFSA (opinions of 2 July 2020 and 31 January 2024) found them safe for animals, consumers and the environment; it could not conclude on user safety for lack of data. - Saccharomyces cerevisiae DSM 34246 yeast (Canobios-BL, 4b1873) as a gut flora stabiliser for dogs and cats — at least 5 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed, until 19 February 2035; plate count EN 15789, identification by PCR (CEN/TS 15790); EFSA — in dogs faecal dry matter 44–46 % instead of 32–35 %, nickel in the additive up to 0.83 mg/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/154, published on 30 January 2025, authorises the preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae DSM 34246 (authorisation holder: ACEL pharma S.r.l.) as a zootechnical additive in the functional group gut flora stabilisers for dogs and cats. In its opinion of 17 April 2024 EFSA found the preparation safe for dogs and cats; no consumer or environmental assessment was needed, as the additive is intended only for pet food. The preparation is not a skin or eye irritant but is a skin and respiratory sensitiser. - Muramidase (lysozyme) from Trichoderma reesei DSM 32338 (4d16) for laying hens until 19 February 2035: 30 000–60 000 LSU(F)/kg feed; activity determined by fluorescence as depolymerisation of fluorescein-labelled peptidoglycan at pH 6.0 and 30 °C; EFSA — paracelsins below the LOD in 10 batches, higher laying rate in three trials —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/161, published on 30 January 2025, authorises a preparation of muramidase (EC 3.2.1.17, also called lysozyme) produced with genetically modified Trichoderma reesei DSM 32338 as a zootechnical additive improving the laying performance of laying hens; the authorisation holder is DSM Nutritional Products Ltd. The additive was already authorised for poultry for fattening and reared for breeding and for weaned piglets. According to the EFSA opinion of 17 April 2024 it is safe for hens, consumers and the environment and has the potential to be efficacious from 30 000 LSU(F)/kg. The EU reference laboratory considered its earlier evaluation of the methods still valid. - Omicha (Schisandra) tincture (2b61281-t; poultry, horses, dogs, cats) and ginseng tincture (2b318-t; horses, dogs, cats) as flavourings in feed until 19 February 2035: markers determined by HPLC-UV — schisandrin with deoxyschisandrin 0.01–0.15 % and ginsenosides Rg1 + Rb1 0.01–0.5 %; EFSA — GC-MS also found di-isooctyl phthalate in the ginseng tincture (1.42–7.96 µg/mL) —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/152, published on 30 January 2025, following a re-evaluation authorises two tinctures previously authorised under Directive 70/524/EEC: from dried fruit of Schisandra chinensis (omicha) for horses, dogs, cats and poultry, and from roots of Panax ginseng for horses, dogs and cats — the applicant withdrew the application for the other species. Use in drinking water was not authorised. The Commission relies on the EFSA opinions of 12 and 13 March 2024; it sets no maximum contents, and recommended maximum contents are stated on the label. - Mepiquat chloride renewed until 29 February 2040: N-methylpiperidine up to 3 g/kg dry matter or 2 g/L of the technical concentrate; EFSA — HPLC-MS/MS with an LOQ of 0.01 mg/kg, ion chromatography in air, ADI lowered from 0.2 to 0.065 mg/kg bw —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/150, published on 30 January 2025, renews from 1 March 2025 to 29 February 2040 the approval of the plant growth regulator mepiquat chloride and lifts the restriction to that single role. The Commission dropped the former condition of particular attention to residues in food, because the provisional assessment showed an acceptable risk even for critical consumer groups. It is based on the EFSA conclusion of 4 July 2024 (cereals and grass, formulation with ethephon); mepiquat chloride is not an endocrine disruptor. - Duckweed Lemna minor and Lemna gibba authorised as a novel food after manganese was cut to 6 mg/kg fresh weight: the specification also covers microcystins < 23 µg/kg, nodularin < 7 µg/kg and indole-3-acetic acid; in 2022 EFSA could not establish safety at 17–45 mg Mn/kg —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/153, published on 30 January 2025, adds heat-treated Lemna minor and Lemna gibba plants (applicant: Wageningen Plant Research) to the Union list of novel foods, to be eaten like leafy vegetables. In its opinion of 28 September 2022 EFSA could not establish safety because manganese was higher than in other leafy vegetables; in a report of 10 July 2024 it found that limiting manganese in the growth medium reduced its content in Lemna gibba to 6 mg/kg fresh weight — comparable with spinach (up to 9 mg/kg). On this basis the 6 mg/kg limit was written into the specification. - Veterinary drug residues: correction of 12 language versions of Regulation 2021/808 on the decision limit CCα and the detection capability CCβ — the Polish Article 5(2) now reads “at and above which” instead of “at or above which”; the German version likewise —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/127, published on 28 January 2025, corrects the Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Estonian, Spanish, Irish, German, Polish, Portuguese, Slovak and Slovenian versions of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/808 on the performance of analytical methods for residues of pharmacologically active substances in food-producing animals. The errors concerned the definition and calculation of CCα and the calculation of CCβ; in the Polish version only Article 5(2) was corrected. - Pig carcass grading in Italy: four methods with new formulas separately for 70–110 kg and 110.1–180 kg carcasses — HGP 7, FOM II, CSB-Image-Meater and the manual ZP method (also the Zoometer scanner with a smartphone); FOM I and AutoFom III withdrawn —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/122, published on 24 January 2025 and applicable from 1 February 2025, authorises four methods for assessing the lean meat content of pig carcasses in Italy and repeals Decision 2014/38/EU, which had authorised six methods. At Italy’s request Fat-O-Meater I and AutoFom III were withdrawn, and updated formulas were approved for HGP 7, FOM II, CSB-Image-Meater and the manual ZP method on the basis of dissection trials described in the protocol under Article 11(3) of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1182. - Bacillus velezensis RTI301 approved as a low-risk active substance from 12 February 2025 to 12 February 2040, together with Bacillus subtilis RTI477 (2025/106) from a shared product against soil-borne diseases; EFSA — strain identification with PCR primers and restriction analysis, but without demonstrating the absence of surfactin C and subtilisin in the technical material —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/109, published on 23 January 2025, approves the new active substance Bacillus velezensis strain RTI301 as a low-risk substance, because no multiple resistance to antimicrobials used in human or veterinary medicine was demonstrated at strain level. The applicant was FMC Agricultural Solutions A/S, the rapporteur the Netherlands, and the EFSA conclusions date from 31 July 2024. On the same day Implementing Regulation 2025/106 approved, on the same terms and dates, Bacillus subtilis strain RTI477 — the second strain in the representative product. - Pythium oligandrum B301 approved until 10 February 2035: an oomycete against grapevine trunk diseases applied by drip irrigation; microbial contaminant limits under OECD Issue Paper No 65, tryptamine below the LOQ of 0.41 g/kg in five batches not shown to comply with the specification, while EFSA did not finalise the assessment for consumers and soil organisms —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/102, published on 22 January 2025, approves from 11 February 2025 to 10 February 2035 the new active substance Pythium oligandrum B301 — an oomycete (fungus-like organism) isolated in 2011 from vineyard soil in the Bordeaux region. The application was submitted by Biovitis S.A., the rapporteur was Belgium and the EFSA conclusions date from 18 July 2024. Member States must pay attention to the protection of operators and workers, since microorganisms are regarded as potential sensitisers, and to production quality control in line with the microbial contaminant limits of OECD Issue Paper No 65. - BioNeutra isomalto-oligosaccharides in new food categories and in food supplements up to 10 g/day (over 10 years of age): isomaltose + DP3–DP9 ≥ 90 % DM, glucose ≤ 5 %, new microbiological criteria (total aerobic count ≤ 1000 CFU/g, E. coli absent in 10 g, Salmonella absent in 25 g); EFSA — two in-house HPLC-RI methods, because there are no standards —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/97, published on 22 January 2025, adds to the Union list of novel foods a separate entry for the isomalto-oligosaccharides of BioNeutra North America Inc. (Edmonton, Canada), with new uses in more than a dozen food categories and in food supplements. Isomalto-oligosaccharides had already been authorised by a decision of the UK authority in 2016; those conditions of use apply to everyone, while the new ones apply for 5 years, until 11 February 2030, only to the applicant (data protection). The basis is the EFSA opinion of 14 December 2023. - UV-treated powder of whole yellow mealworm larvae (Tenebrio molitor) authorised as a novel food: vitamin D3 35–79 µg/100 g (EN 12821, LC-DAD), chitin from the ADF–ADL difference, lead ≤ 0.02 mg/kg; EFSA — protein overestimated with the 6.25 factor —
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/89, published on 21 January 2025, adds UV-treated powder of whole Tenebrio molitor larvae (yellow mealworm) to the Union list of novel foods — with an exclusive right for Nutri’Earth (France) until 10 February 2030. Authorised uses are bread and rolls, cakes and biscuits, pasta-based products, processed potato products, cheese, and fruit and vegetable purées. In its opinion of 28 March 2023 EFSA found the novel food safe but allergic reactions likely; the label must warn people allergic to crustaceans and house dust mites. - Washing machines and washer-dryers: EN 60456:2016/A12:2023 replaces A11:2020 as the harmonised standard for energy labelling and ecodesign — the reference detergent can no longer contain sodium perborate, listed in Annex XIV to REACH and not allowed on the market after 27 May 2023 —
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/72, published on 17 January 2025 and in force from the day of publication, amends Decision (EU) 2021/936: in Annexes I (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2014 on energy labelling) and II (Regulation (EU) 2019/2023 on ecodesign) it deletes the row with EN 60456:2016 as amended by A11:2020 and adds row 1a with EN 60456:2016 “Clothes washing machines for household use — Methods for measuring the performance” as amended by EN 60456:2016/A12:2023. - Urban wastewater under micropollutant surveillance —
The new wastewater directive adds a fourth treatment stage for pharmaceutical and cosmetic residues and an obligation to monitor PFAS and microplastics. Common measurement methods are to be ready in 2027. - Air: counting ultrafine particles is added —
From 12 December 2026 air must be tested not only for dust mass but also for particle number and size distribution. In areas with high concentrations, ultrafine particle supersites will be set up — at least one per five million inhabitants. - Lower mycotoxin limits and a required limit of quantification —
Deoxynivalenol limits have gone down and T-2 and HT-2 toxins in cereals now have their own values. The method must detect at least twice as low as the limit itself.