Regulation (EC) No 183/2005

Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 is the European Feed Hygiene Regulation. It sets out requirements for the production, processing, storage and transport of feed. The aim is to ensure the safety of feed and, indirectly, food safety as well. The Regulation applies to all businesses that manufacture, handle or place feed on the market. It requires feed business operators to implement and apply hygienic practices. These include appropriate operational structures, controlled processes and documented self-monitoring procedures.

A key element of the regulation is the application of principles based on HACCP. Risks must be identified, assessed and controlled through appropriate measures. Traceability and documentation are mandatory. For plant and equipment engineering, this results in requirements for hygienic design, ease of cleaning and a design with minimal dead spaces. Machinery and processing equipment must be designed in such a way as to prevent cross-contamination and enable the production of reproducible, safe feed.

Regulation (EC) No 183/2005 supplements general food law and, together with other EU regulations, forms the basis for safe feed processes.