Council Directive 92/46/EC laying down the health rules for the production and placing on the market of raw milk, heat-treated milk and milk-based products.

This Directive lays down health rules for the production and placing on the market of raw milk, heat-treated drinking milk, milk for the manufacture of milk-based products and milk-based products intended for human consumption. This Directive shall not affect national rules applicable to the direct sale to the consumer by a producer of these products, provided that the hygiene conditions of the holding comply with the minimum health rules laid down by the competent authority. Member States shall ensure that raw milk is not used for the manufacture of milk-based products or heat-treated drinking milk unless it meets specific requirements listed in this Directive.
Member States shall ensure that animals on production holdings undergo regular veterinary inspections to ensure that the requirements of Annex A are met. Experts from the Commission may, in so far as is necessary for the uniform application of this Directive and in cooperation with the competent authorities, make on-site checks. The conditions for imports from third countries must be at least equivalent to those for Community production. Each Member State shall designate one or more national reference laboratories for the analysis and testing of milk and milk-based products, and shall forward a list thereof to the Commission. (33 articles and 4 Annexes)