Legislation:

Provisions for the sampling and analysis for the official control of the maximum levels for contaminants have been laid down as follows:

• for levels of mycotoxins: Commission Regulation (EC) 401/2006 as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) 178/2010
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• for levels of heavy metals, 3-MCPD, inorganic tin and benzo(a)pyrene levels in: Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007.
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• for dioxin and PCBs levels : Commission Regulation (EC) No 1883/2006. .
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• for levels of nitrates in Commission Regulation (EC) 1882/2006.

Guidance documents:

Report on the relationship between analytical results, measurement uncertainty, recovery factors and the provisions of EU Food and Feed legislation.

In order to assist the competent authorities on the official control of aflatoxin contamination in food products which are subject to Commission Regulation (EU) 1150/2009, a guidance document "Guidance document for competent authorities for the control of compliance with EU legislation on aflatoxins" " has been elaborated. This document is also applicable for the control of aflatoxins in food products not subject to Commission Regulation (EC) 1152/2009.

The "Guidance document for the sampling of cereals for mycotoxins" provides guidance for sampling of lots where the sampling provisions as provided for in Regulation (EC) 401/2006 are practically impossible to apply, such is the case where large lots of cereals are stored in warehouses or were cereals are stored in silos.

European Union Reference Laboratories (EU RLs)

In the area of contaminants four European Union Reference Laboratories (EU RLs) have been established:

• EU RL for mycotoxins
  • Work programmes
• EU RL for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
  • Work programmes
• EU RL for Heavy metals in feed and food
  • Work programmes
• EU RL for PCBs and Dioxins in feed and food
  • Work programmes