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 Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/2235 (applicable from 21 April 2021) laying down rules for the application of Regulations (EU) 2016/429 and (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards model animal health certificates, model official certificates and model animal health/official certificates, for the entry into the Union and movements within the Union of consignments of certain categories of animals and goods, official certification regarding such certificates.
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/628 concerning model official certificates for certain animals and goods (applicable until 21 April 2021).

Organic production of sprouted seeds

As from 1 January 2021 the new Regulation on organic production will enter into force.

Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007.

Specific rules for sprouted seeds: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/427 amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards certain detailed production rules for organic products (to be applicable from 1 January 2022).

However the European Commission will amend Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/427 with the following:

COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) …/…of XXX amending Annex II to Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards organic production rules on sprouted seeds and chicory heads, on feed for certain aquaculture animals and on aquaculture parasite treatments.

• Draft Regulation: HERE.
• Annex to Draft Regulation: HERE.

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. Replaced with:

Directive (EU) 2020/2184 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