EU Legislation

In 2013, the European Union enacted four new pieces of legislation for the European sprouting sector. These regulations establish more stringent rules for the production of sprouts and imports of seeds for sprouting from third countries:

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 208/2013 on traceability requirements for sprouts and seeds intended for the production of sprouts
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 209/2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 as regards microbiological criteria for sprouts
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 210/2013 on the approval of establishments producing sprouts pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 852/2004
• Commission Regulation (EU) No 211/2013 on certification requirements for imports into the Union of sprouts and seeds intended for the production of sprouts
• Amended by: Commission Regulation (EU) No 704/2014 amending Regulation (EU) No 211/2013 on certification requirements for import into the Union of sprouts and seeds intended for the production of sprouts

Overall, the European producers of sprouted seeds must comply with the general European Union requirements for the production of foodstuff:

• Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (General Food Law)
• Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs
• Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules
• Council Directive 98/83/EC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005 of 15 November 2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs
• Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the provision of information to consumers
• Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1062/2014 on the work programme for the systematic examination of all existing active substances contained in biocidal products referred to in Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council
• Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food and repealing Directives 80/590/EEC and 89/109/EEC