SG 126/26
Belgium revises food contact ceramics rules to lower lead and cadmium migration limits.
On September 11, 2026, Belgium’s Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment issued Royal Decree of July 19, 2026 (C-2026/006323), amending Royal Decree of May 1, 2006 (C-2006/22374) on the declaration of compliance and performance criteria for the method of analysis for ceramic articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs. This amendment implements Benelux Committee of Ministers Decision M (2024) 5 of November 29, 2024, concerning food contact ceramics.
What does this regulation require?
Key updates introduce the following changes:
- Stricter migration limits for lead and cadmium, as summarized in Table 1 below
- Expanded provision allowing economic operators to consider specific factors when placing food contact ceramic articles on the market, including:
- The composition of substances used in manufacturing
- The potential use of substances containing lead or cadmium, including the interior, underglaze or the exterior of the product
- Additional documentation or information from suppliers
- Test results conducted on similar materials or articles
- Quality control measures
| Ceramic article category | Lead¹ | Cadmium¹ |
|---|---|---|
| Category 1: Articles which cannot be filled and articles which can be filled, the internal depth of which, measured from the lowest point to the horizontal plane passing through the upper rim, does not exceed 25 mm | 6 µg/dm² | 4 µg/dm² |
| Category 2: All other articles which can be filled | 30 µg/L | 20 µg/L |
| Category 3: Cooking ware; packaging and storage vessels with a capacity of more than three liters | 10 µg/L | 7 µg/L |
| ¹ The Royal Decree of July 19, 2026, specifies the units as g/dm² for Category 1 and g/L for Categories 2 and 3. However, according to Decision (2024) 5, the applicable units are µg/dm² for Category 1 and µg/L for Categories 2 and 3. | ||
Table 1. Migration limits for lead and cadmium in food contact ceramics
Who is impacted?
The amendment affects stakeholders across the food contact ceramic materials and articles supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, retailers and other intermediaries operating in Belgium.
When does it apply?
Royal Decree of July 19, 2026, entered into force on May 29, 2026.
The Netherlands and Luxembourg have also updated their rules for food contact ceramics (SafeGuardS 76/26 and 84/26).
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We provide comprehensive FCM testing, including migration tests, along with expert guidance on evolving regulations, compliance issues and documentation review. Our expertise ensures your products meet the appropriate territorial regulations for food contact materials and helps pave the way for compliance. Contact us to learn more, or visit our website. In the end, it’s only trusted because it’s tested.
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