Food safety is a top priority in the European Union, and legislation in this area sets out a clear hierarchy of methods to be used for official control purposes. Preference is given to those methods that follow internationally recognized protocols many of which are described in CEN standards. As a result, most of the European Standards and other deliverables developed by CEN in the field of food and agriculture are based on standardization requests (mandates) issued by the European Commission.
Several Technical Committees (TCs) lead the development of standards in this domain
CEN/TC 275 ‘Food Analysis: Horizontal Methods’
This committee develops horizontal analytical methods for food, supporting regulatory authorities in verifying compliance with EU food law.
CEN/TC 327 ‘Animal Feeding Stuffs: Methods of sampling and analysis’
CEN/TC 327 focuses on methods for sampling and analysing animal feed. The standards it produces help ensure that feed products comply with legal requirements set out in Regulation (EU) 2017/625, which governs official controls for feed and food law, as well as animal health and welfare.
CEN/TC 338 ‘Cereals and Cereal Products’
This technical committee is responsible for standardizing test and characterization methods, such as physical, chemical, biochemical, and physico-chemical analyses for cereals and cereal-based products. These standards support smoother trade across the EU by establishing commonly accepted analytical rules.
CEN/TC 454 ‘Algae and Algae Products’
Established in 2017, this committee standardizes terminology, classification, specifications, and testing methods for algae and algae-derived products. Funded by the European Commission and EFTA, this work supports the Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) and spans various applications, including food, feed, cosmetics, and biofuels. The current focus is primarily on food and feed, including the development of analytical methods for contaminants and nutrients.
CEN/TC 463 ‘Microbiology of the Food Chain’
CEN/TC 463 works closely with ISO under the Vienna Agreement, and collaborates with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety to define standardization priorities. In addition to ongoing improvements to microbiological standards, the committee is conducting studies to enhance pre-enrichment procedures.
CEN/TC 466 ‘Circularity and Recyclability of Fishing Gear and Aquaculture Equipment’
Formed in 2020, this committee supports Directive (EU) 2019/904 by developing standards that promote circular design for fishing gear. These standards aim to enable the industry to produce gear that is durable, recyclable, and environmentally sustainable, helping reduce marine litter and supporting a healthier planet.
CEN/TC 460 ‘Food Authenticity’
Since 2019, this committee has been a global pioneer in developing standards dedicated solely to food authenticity. Its work covers targeted and non-targeted analytical methods, data evaluation, validation processes, and harmonized terminology. The standards produced support Regulation (EU) 2017/625 and play a vital role in strengthening consumer protection, combating food fraud, and enhancing trust in the food supply.
