Standards & Safety 1 min read

Standards and safety in MRO: regulation of materials for food contact (EC 1935/2004): implications for food production

Technical analysis: Food contact materials regulation (EC 1935/2004): MRO implications for food plants

Стандарти та безпека в МРО: регулювання матеріалів для контакту з їжею (EC 1935/2004): наслідки для виробництва харчової продукції - UNITEC-D Industrial MRO
Стандарт (EC) 1935/2004 встановлює вимоги до матеріалів, що контактували з їжею. Дотримання цього стандарту має значний вплив на процеси МРО в харчовій промисловості. UNITEC-D надає сертифіковані комп

Introduction

Regulation regarding materials in contact with food is critical for production safety in the food industry. Standard (EC) 1935/2004 establishes requirements for materials that may be used in contact with food to ensure its safety and quality. Compliance with this standard has a significant impact on MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) processes, especially in installations where materials in contact with food are used.

Scope and application

Standard (EC) 1935/2004 applies to all materials which may come into contact with food, including components used in installations, devices and equipment used in the food industry. It requires that materials should not release harmful substances into food in quantities that could make it hazardous to health.

Main requirements

Requirement Description Validity period
Material Usage Notice Manufacturers shall provide information on the use of materials in food. Since 2004
Safety Requirements Materials shall not release hazardous substances into food. Since 2004
Safety Testing Materials must undergo testing for compliance with the standard. Since 2004
Certification Manufacturers must obtain certification from the relevant authorities. Since 2004

Impact on MRO operations

Compliance with standard (EC) 1935/2004 has a significant impact on MRO processes. Masters and technical services must ensure that all used components and materials meet the requirements of the standard. This includes verifying manufacturers, selecting appropriate components and maintaining documentation on certification.

Requirements for components

The following components must comply with the requirements of standard (EC) 1935/2004:

  • Materials for production of equipment in contact with food
  • Components used in food processing equipment
  • Materials for production of containers, pipes, hydraulic systems
  • Products used in cooling and heating systems

All these components must have a conformity certificate according to (EC) 1935/2004 or corresponding national standards, such as DSTU 3057-95, DSTU 3058-95, DSTU 3078-95.

Practical checklist for fulfilling requirements

  1. Identify all components that may come into contact with food.
  2. Check whether they have a certificate of conformity to (EC) 1935/2004.
  3. Keep all documents on certification and compliance.
  4. Perform regular checks on the used equipment.
  5. Perform checks for compliance with the standard once a year.
  6. Ensure that all component manufacturers comply with the requirements of the standard.
  7. Conduct audits to check compliance with requirements.
  8. Implement the necessary changes in MRO processes if deviations are detected.
  9. Train personnel on the requirements of the standard and the importance of compliance.
  10. Ensure that all products are compliant with the standard and corresponding national standards.
  11. Perform checks for compliance with the standard after each restoration or repair.
  12. Keep the documentation of the inspection results.
  13. Perform conformity checks in case of change of manufacturers or components.
  14. Conduct regular audits to detect deviations.
  15. Make the necessary changes in MRO processes upon detection of deviations.
  16. Keep all documents regarding the execution of inspections throughout the entire service life of the equipment.
  17. Perform checks for conformity to the standard after each restoration or repair.
  18. Keep all documents regarding the execution of inspections throughout the entire service life of the equipment.
  19. Perform checks for compliance with the standard after each restoration or repair.

Most Common Compliance Issues

Auditors often identify the following problems:

  • Absence of conformity certificate.
  • Incorrect use of materials in contact with food.
  • Non-conformance to the standard.
  • Poor document storage.
  • Inadequate control over manufacturers.

Sanctions and Liability

Non-compliance with standard (EC) 1935/2004 may lead to serious consequences. Manufacturers and operators may receive fines that may range from 5000 to 500 000 euros, depending on the seriousness of the breach. In addition, companies may be liable for damages caused to users, as well as lose customer trust.

Conclusion

Compliance with standard (EC) 1935/2004 is critical for production safety in the food industry. UNITEC-D (UNITEC-D GmbH) provides reliable components meeting all requirements of the standard, with quality and safety guarantees. Choosing UNITEC-D means choosing a reliable, certified supplier ensuring compliance with all requirements.

UNITEC-D E-Catalog

Sources

  1. Regulation (EC) 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
  2. Standard DSTU 3057-95: Materials for Production of Equipment in Contact with Food
  3. Standard DSTU 3058-95: Materials for Production of Containers in Contact with Food
  4. Standard DSTU 3078-95: Materials for Production of Hydraulic Systems in Contact with Food
  5. Official EU publication: Compliance documents

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