Regulation (EC) 178/2002 General Food Law
Establishes general principles of EU food law, creates the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and sets rapid alert procedures. Defines food safety requirements, traceability obligations, and liability of food business operators. Foundation of all EU food legislation.
Sectors
Food & AgricultureImport / WholesaleManufacturingRetail & ConsumerEnvironmental ServicesHealthcare & Pharma
Articles (151)
Aim and ScopeAim and scopeOther DefinitionsDefinition of 'food'General Objectives of Food LawOther definitionsRisk AnalysisScopePrecautionary PrincipleGeneral objectivesProtection of Consumers' InterestsRisk analysisFood Safety RequirementsPrecautionary principleResponsibilitiesProtection of consumers' interestsTraceabilityObjectives of risk communicationResponsibilities for Food: Food Business OperatorsGeneral principles of risk communicationMission of the European Food Safety AuthorityGeneral plan for risk communicationRapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF)Public consultationPublic informationFood and feed imported into the CommunityFood and feed exported from the CommunityInternational standardsFood safety requirementsFeed safety requirementsPresentationResponsibilitiesTraceabilityResponsibilities for food: food business operatorsResponsibilities for feed: feed business operatorsFeed business operator withdrawal obligationsFeed retailer/distributor withdrawal obligationsFeed operator notification to authoritiesFeed operator collaboration with authoritiesLiabilityMission of the AuthorityAuthority scientific advice mandateTasks of the AuthorityAuthority health protection objectiveBodies of the AuthorityAuthority risk data collectionAuthority additional mission areasManagement Board member nominationAuthority scientific basis for Community measuresAdditional Management Board membersAuthority independence and cooperationManagement Board member qualificationsRisk analysis coherence cooperationManagement Board term of officeMember State cooperation with AuthorityManagement Board internal rulesManagement Board Chair electionManagement Board rules of procedure and votingManagement Board meetingsManagement Board oversight responsibilityManagement Board work programme adoptionManagement Board – Financial RulesManagement Board – Executive Director and Scientific Committee ParticipationExecutive Director – AppointmentExecutive Director – ResponsibilitiesExecutive Director – Annual SubmissionsAdvisory Forum – CompositionAdvisory Forum – Incompatibility with Management BoardAdvisory Forum – Advisory RoleAdvisory Forum – Information Exchange MechanismAdvisory Forum – Chair and MeetingsAdvisory Forum – Secretariat SupportScientific Committee and Panels – MandateScientific Committee – Coordination RoleScientific Committee – CompositionScientific Panels – Composition and EstablishmentScientific Committee and Panels – Appointment of MembersSelection and appointment of Scientific Committee and Panel membersAppointment of additional Scientific Panel membersRules on organisation of appointment proceduresNon-interference with Scientific Committee and Panel membersSupport for Scientific Committee and PanelsMaximum membership of Scientific PanelsTraining for Scientific Panel membersElection of Chair and Vice-ChairsDecision-making by majority; minority opinionsCommission representation at meetingsInternal rules for operation and cooperationIssuance of scientific opinionsRequirements accompanying requests for opinionsTime limit for scientific opinionsRefusal or amendment of requestsRefusal of repeat requests without new evidenceDelegated and implementing acts for scientific opinion proceduresInternal rules on format and publication of opinionsMonitoring for diverging scientific opinionsResolution of diverging opinionsDivergence on substance classificationScientific and technical assistanceTime limit for scientific and technical assistanceCommissioning of scientific studiesScientific and technical assistanceScientific studiesPre-submission adviceNotification of studiesConsultation of third partiesVerification studiesCollection of dataIdentification of emerging risksRapid alert systemNetworking of organisations operating in the fields within the Authority's missionIndependenceTransparencyTransparency – Management Board meetingsTransparency – practical arrangementsConfidentialityConfidentiality requestDecision on confidentialityReview of confidentialityObligations with regard to confidentialityProtection of personal dataStandard data formatsInformation systemsCommunications from the AuthorityAccess to documentsConsumers, producers and other interested partiesAdoption of the Authority's budgetImplementation of the Authority's budgetFees received by the AuthorityLegal personality and privilegesLiabilityStaffParticipation of third countriesRapid alert systemImplementing measuresConfidentiality rules for the rapid alert systemEmergency measures for food and feed of Community origin or imported from a third countryOther emergency measuresGeneral plan for crisis managementCrisis unitTasks of the crisis unitExercise of the delegationCommitteeFunctions assigned to the CommitteeMediation procedureReview clauseFact-finding missionsReferences to the European Food Safety Authority and to the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal HealthCompetence of the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal ProductsCommencement of the Authority's operationEntry into force