Belgium - Royal Decree on Metal and Metal Alloy Materials and Articles Intended to Come Into Contact with Food

​Recently, the Belgium Royal Decree of February 17, 2021, on metal and alloy materials and objects intended to come into contact with foodstuffs, was published on the Official Journal.

This Decree stipulates the non-intentional release of metal ions from finished materials and articles, whether or not made entirely or partly of metals or alloys and/or whether or not provided with a coating, which:

1) are intended to come into contact with food; or
2) are already in contact with food and are intended for that purpose; or
3) may be reasonably assumed to come into contact with food or to release their constituents to food during their normal or expected use.

The metal and alloy materials and articles intended to come into contact with food must be manufactured in accordance with:

1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of October 27, 2004, on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food;

2) Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 of December 22, 2006, on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

3) Royal Decree of May 11, 1992, on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

Specific migration limits shall comply with Chapter 1 of the Annex, whilst the substances in nano form must always be individually assessed for their characteristics, intended uses and exposure  levels in case of release into the food.

The declaration of conformity shall contain the information listed in Chapter 2 of the Annex.