Directive No. (9/96) on general product standard.

The Directive provides the guidelines for the additives that could be used in fisheries manufactured products: it lists the maximum residue limit (MRL) for pesticides, antibiotics and other residues in order not to harm or poison the consumers. Even metal contaminant (i.e. mercury) contents must not exceed the limits. All levels must comply with the international standards of the International Commission on Microbial Specification for Foods (ICMSF), FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) and FDA (Food and Drug Administration). Product sampling and testing procedures are detailed too. For chilled or frozen products, the relative MRL are listed in the tables.