Active and Intelligent Materials
Active and intelligent food contact materials are designed to extend shelf life or maintain and improve the condition of packaged food by releasing substances into the food or its environment, or by absorbing substances from it. Because of this specific function, they are exempt from the general inertness principle laid down in Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004.
The specific legal framework is Commission Regulation (EC) No 450/2009, which sets the rules for the marketing of active and intelligent materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. It applies, for example, to materials that absorb oxygen or liquids from packaging, release preservatives into food, or indicate expiry or improper storage through colour-changing labels. Active materials do not include systems that absorb substances entering from the outside atmosphere, such as active oxygen barriers. (EUR-Lex)
Regulation (EC) No 450/2009 also provides for the establishment of a Union list of authorised substances that may be used in the manufacture of active and intelligent materials. Pending the full establishment of that list, the Commission has published a Register of substances with a valid application for authorisation. This register includes substances for which a valid application was submitted under the Regulation, but it does not itself authorise their use; it serves only to inform stakeholders about ongoing evaluations.
The specific legal framework is Commission Regulation (EC) No 450/2009, which sets the rules for the marketing of active and intelligent materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. It applies, for example, to materials that absorb oxygen or liquids from packaging, release preservatives into food, or indicate expiry or improper storage through colour-changing labels. Active materials do not include systems that absorb substances entering from the outside atmosphere, such as active oxygen barriers. (EUR-Lex)
Regulation (EC) No 450/2009 also provides for the establishment of a Union list of authorised substances that may be used in the manufacture of active and intelligent materials. Pending the full establishment of that list, the Commission has published a Register of substances with a valid application for authorisation. This register includes substances for which a valid application was submitted under the Regulation, but it does not itself authorise their use; it serves only to inform stakeholders about ongoing evaluations.
