European Communities (Materials and Articles intended to come into Contact with Foodstuffs) Regulations, 2003 (S.I. No. 76 of 2003).

The purpose of these Regulations is to give legal effect to EEC Directives on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to materials and articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs and also for the administration and enforcement of the regulations. These Regulations apply to materials and articles which: (a) in their finished state, are intended to come into contact with foodstuffs or which are in contact with foodstuffs and are intended for that purpose; or (b) are in contact with water intended for human consumption (reg. 3). No person shall manufacture, sell, import, or use in the course of any business in connection with the storage, preparation, packaging, selling or serving of foodstuffs, any materials and articles to which these Regulations apply unless such materials and articles are manufactured in compliance with good manufacturing practice so that, under their normal or foreseeable conditions of use, they do not transfer their constituents to foodstuffs in quantities which could: (i) endanger human health; or (ii) bring about an unacceptable change in the composition of the foodstuffs or a deterioration in the organoleptic characteristics thereof. (reg. 4). Regulation 5 concerns labelling of materials and articles. Remaining regulations provide standards for specific packing and provide for powers of authorized officers.