EFCEM WG updates: a call for clearer scope definitions as regulatory developments progress
Several of EFCEM's latest Working Group (WG) meetings highlighted the need for tighter scope definitions for manufacturers to comply with regulatory updates, reports Lauren Hurrell
The evolving regulatory landscape is prompting professional catering equipment manufacturers to comply with increasingly stringent requirements. EFCEM continues its efforts to offer impartial guidance and informed insight into the industry's future, following its introduction of Working Groups (WG) in 2025. These groups bring industry experts together to distil the most pressing regulatory updates through industry-specific focus areas.
In November 2025, members of WG3 (Health, Safety and Water) and WG1&4 (BIM and Connectivity) met and discussed respectively the impacts of regulatory updates and sought alignment. These groups also operate alongside WG2 (Environment) and WG5 (Marketing). The consensus was that unclear scope definitions make the implications of regulatory updates uncertain, thus jeopardising manufacturers' abilities to comply with new terms. This crucially prompts the need for greater alignment between regulatory bodies and manufacturers if industry standards are to be met successfully.
Updates in health, safety and water ( WG3)
WG3 reflected on the latest plastic regulation, consisting of rules on the composition of plastic Food Contact Materials (FCMs) and a list of substances permitted for use in manufacturing them. One update to this regulation included that 13 substances with favorable EFSA opinions are scheduled to be added to Annex I via three separate amendments.
The EFSA opinion on styrene was published in June 2025, confirming a Specific Migration Limit (SML) of 40ppb to be safe. The Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE) should clarify the exact limit it is willing to put forward, with the testing approach specified.
The regulation of bisphenol, used in the production of epoxy resins for paints and coatings of metal containers, in plastics and other materials, introduces significant restrictions on Bisphenol A (BPA) and other bisphenols and bisphenol derivatives in FCMs, based on a new EFSA assessment, effective from January 20, 2025. The regulation establishes specific requirements for adhesives, rubbers, ion exchange resins, plastics, printing inks, silicones, paints, and coatings.
Updates from the European Commission conclude that the Q&A Guidance on Regulation is under consultation to clarify its scope, application to other bisphenols, compliance, testing and transitional provisions, with scrutiny to the Correcting Act to Bisphenol Regulation.
Chemicals and hazardous substances ( WG3)
Furthermore, the Reach regulation, which ensures protection of human health and the environment from chemicals and hazardous substances, has a revision under consideration as part of the Chemical Industry Package. Although no significant updates are expected to be achievable prior to 2026, the revision, if implemented, could lead to tighter restrictions on hazardous substances.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are organic substances that persist in the environment, accumulate in living organisms and pose a risk to our health and the environment. The European Commission has decided to withdraw its proposal to list silicones, and in particular D4, D5 and D6, in Annex B of the Stockholm Convention that aims to eliminate or limit the use of POPs, as requested by the industry.
Drinking water updates approach in 2026 (WG3)
Minimum hygiene standards for materials and products that come into contact with drinking water were published in the Official Journal on 23 April 2024. They are set to apply from December 31, 2026, to materials and products intended to be used in new installations for the abstraction, treatment, storage or distribution of water, or for repair works, including supply pipes, valves, pumps, water meters, fittings, and taps.
As next steps, EFCEM members will be invited to present feedback, questions, comments and any unclear aspects of the regulation, and are currently collaborating with other associations to address challenges.
Implications of AI, cybersecurity and data (WG1&4)
As the EU's digital regulatory landscape also continues to advance rapidly with amendments in the pipeline, WG1&4, BIM and Connectivity, discussed the implications of more stringent and nuanced rulings over AI, cybersecurity, data, and more.
Key frameworks including the AI Act, Data Act and Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) are moving into critical implementation phases between 2025 and 2027. The AI Act introduces new obligations for general-purpose and high-risk AI, supported by tools such as the AI Act Single Information Platform and Compliance Checker launched in October 2025. The Data Act became fully applicable from September 2025, with new design requirements for IoT products and non-binding contractual model terms now available.
The CRA will also require all products with digital elements to meet comprehensive security-by-design, documentation and update obligations by December 2027, ultimately replacing the Radio Equipment Directive's cybersecurity provisions.
Complementing these developments, the Digital Omnibus packages published in November 2025 aim to harmonize and streamline overlapping digital legislation, aligning definitions, timelines and enforcement mechanisms across the AI, Data, and Cybersecurity frameworks.
Continuing conversations (WG1&4)
EFCEM also continues to operate its unified, international platform for the seamless exchange of Building Information Modeling (BIM) data and additional resources related to the foodservice design of professional kitchens. The International Food Service Equipment (IFSE) BIM association aims to maintain more regular communication from the Federation and its members. As part of these efforts, 150 responses in the IFSEBIM survey are being reviewed and will inform a report of outcomes scheduled for publication in February/March 2026.
To ensure EFCEM's continued support of manufacturers navigating multiple compliance, the association will continue to monitor developments and support members as these regulations move toward enforcement. Key dates for the 2026 scheduled EFCEM WG meetings will be published in two courses.
Further details:
EFCEM encourages its members to become actively involved in all the EFCEM Working Groups. Members of EFCEM are entitled to nominate a technical expert to join the Working Groups to discuss matters pertinent to the industry at a European level. These Working Groups meet at least twice a year – virtually – and can last up to two hours.
EFCEM invites its members to nominate a technical expert best placed to take part in any of the working groups below.
Nomination requests should be emailed to the WG Convenor, or please contact: sec.gen@efcem2024.onmicrosoft.com