Council Approved Food Safety Simplification Package
The European Council established a mandate to streamline regulations on residue levels and pesticides.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Organic Food
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The European Council has approved a negotiating mandate for the tenth Omnibus food and feed safety package. This measure aims to reduce administrative costs while maintaining rigorous safety standards across the European Union.
Why it matters
The legislation is designed to mitigate unnecessary regulatory burdens for stakeholders and authorities. It also includes provisions to reduce food waste by establishing clear transitions for products compliant with previous residue standards.
The mandate extends protection for regular plant protection product test reports from 10 to 13 years, and from 13 to 15 years for low-risk products. Additionally, first product approvals are now set at 15 years with renewals reaching 25 years.
The players
European Council
This is the institution where the heads of state or government of EU member states define the political direction and priorities of the European Union.
European Food Safety Authority
This agency provides independent scientific advice and clear communication on existing and emerging risks associated with the food chain.
European Parliament
This is the directly elected legislative body of the European Union that must coordinate with the Council to finalize new regulations.
The details
The package introduces a fast-track process for biocontrol substances to receive priority assessment and mandates periodic reviews of scientific literature. These updates seek to harmonize rules regarding maximum residue levels for hazardous substances at technical zero.
Timeline
February 2025: The Commission began proposing Omnibus simplification packages.
December 2025: The tenth Omnibus package on food safety was introduced.
11 May 2026: The Council adopted a regulation extending biocide data protection.
30 September 2026: The Council set its official negotiating position on the Omnibus X package.
Roadmap
The tenth Omnibus food and feed safety package serves as the latest effort to modernize EU administrative frameworks. This regulatory shift continues a broader trend of streamlining compliance requirements across the union since early 2025.
The standardization of residue levels and approval periods simplifies the compliance environment for businesses operating within the EU food supply chain. These changes are intended to streamline operations and support more consistent availability of approved products.
The takeaway
This policy pivot represents a significant effort to balance administrative efficiency with stringent chemical safety oversight. By codifying long-term approval periods and fast-track pathways for low-risk substances, regulators hope to foster a more predictable environment for food producers.
What happens next
The Council presidency expects to enter into formal negotiations with the European Parliament once the Parliament adopts its own position, with a goal of reaching a provisional agreement by the end of 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest updates to Organic Food regulations and safety standards.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Consiliul Uniunii Europene.
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