Key data
| Regulation | Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1307, of 11 June 2026 |
|---|---|
| Official reference | OJ:L_202601307 |
| Publication | 16 June 2026 |
| Entry into force | 11 June 2026 |
| Affected parties | Feed manufacturers and distributors, livestock farmers, food control authorities |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Nature | Non-binding recommendation (basis for future mandatory regulation) |
| Monitored contaminants | Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) |
| Animals involved | Production animals and companion animals |
Feed manufacturers and livestock farmers face a new front in food safety. Recommendation (EU) 2026/1307, published on 16 June 2026, requires Member States to establish monitoring programmes to detect per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in feed intended for both production and companion animals.
The message for the sector is clear: although today it is a non-binding recommendation, the EU is building the database that will justify, in the short or medium term, the setting of mandatory maximum limits for PFAS in feed. Those who do not prepare now will be late when the regulation becomes mandatory.
What does this regulation establish?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are extremely persistent synthetic contaminants in the environment, known as "forever chemicals". Their presence in feed represents a risk to both animal health and human health through the food chain.
Recommendation 2026/1307 establishes the following concrete mandates:
- Member States must design and implement specific monitoring programmes to detect PFAS in feed.
- Monitoring covers feed for production animals (cattle, pigs, poultry, etc.) and feed for companion animals.
- The results of these monitoring programmes will serve as a scientific basis for establishing, in the future, mandatory regulatory maximum limits.
- The measure has direct implications for traceability and food safety throughout the livestock production chain.
It is essential to understand the legal nature of this act: as a recommendation, it does not impose direct legal obligations on private operators. However, it activates the European regulatory machinery and generates clear expectations about the future direction of the regulation.
Economic and operational impact
The impact is not immediate in terms of fines or direct sanctions, but it is in terms of operational and competitive preparation. Companies that anticipate analytical controls will be in a better position when official inspections arrive and, subsequently, binding regulation.
The main vectors of economic and operational impact are:
- Analytical costs: PFAS detection requires advanced analytical techniques (high-resolution liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry). Incorporating these analyses into quality control protocols requires investment in in-house laboratory or accredited external services.
- Review of raw material suppliers: PFAS can come from contaminated raw materials (fish meals, cereals grown in soils with a history of contamination). Auditing suppliers requires time and resources.
- Enhanced traceability: The livestock production chain will need to document more exhaustively the origin and controls of each batch of feed.
- Reputational risk: A positive PFAS detection in own products, before having established protocols, can lead to market withdrawals and brand damage.
- Anticipated competitive advantage: Companies that already certify the absence or low levels of PFAS in their feed will be able to differentiate themselves to demanding customers and distributors.
Who does it affect?
- Feed manufacturers for production animals (cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, aquaculture) and companion animals.
- Feed distributors that market products in the European market.
- Livestock farmers and agricultural operations that use compound feed in their production.
- Importers of raw materials for feed manufacturing (meals, cereals, additives).
- National and regional food control authorities, which must implement monitoring programmes.
- Accredited analysis laboratories for the detection of contaminants in feed.
Practical example
A pig feed manufacturing company with three production plants in Spain receives raw materials from several European suppliers, including fish meals from coastal areas with an industrial history.
In response to Recommendation 2026/1307, the company must act on two simultaneous fronts:
- Analytical front: Request that its reference laboratory incorporate a PFAS panel into routine analyses of each incoming raw material batch. If the current laboratory does not have this capacity, it must hire an accredited external laboratory.
- Supplier front: Send conformity declaration questionnaires to its suppliers of meals and cereals, requesting information about the history of PFAS contamination in the areas of origin. Suppliers that cannot demonstrate their own controls must be evaluated more frequently or replaced.
When the regulation moves from recommendation to binding regulation with defined maximum limits, this company will already have historical data, validated protocols and an audited supply chain, which will allow it to comply without urgent additional cost or risk of non-compliance.
What should companies do now?
- Review quality control protocols: Assess whether current analyses of feed and raw materials include PFAS detection. If not, incorporate them immediately or plan their incorporation in the next cycle of quality system review.
- Audit the supplier chain: Identify which raw materials have the highest risk of PFAS contamination (fish meals, cereals from industrial areas, synthetic origin additives) and request suppliers to provide their own declarations and analytical results.
- Establish an enhanced traceability system: Document the origin of each batch of raw material and associated analytical results, so that compliance can be demonstrated in the event of an official inspection.
- Monitor regulatory evolution: Recommendation 2026/1307 is the first step towards mandatory maximum limits. Keep a close eye on publications from the European Commission and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) to anticipate when and at what levels those limits will be set.
- Consult with the legal department or specialized advisor: Although there is no direct obligation for private operators today, it is advisable to assess whether customers (distributors, animal feed chains) are already demanding guarantees about PFAS in their supply contracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is it mandatory to comply with Recommendation 2026/1307 for feed manufacturers?
Not directly. Recommendation (EU) 2026/1307 is a non-binding act directed at Member States, not private operators. However, it lays the groundwork for future mandatory regulation with maximum PFAS limits in feed. Companies that anticipate analytical controls will be better positioned when that regulation comes into force.
What are PFAS and why are they dangerous in feed?
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are persistent synthetic contaminants, known as "forever chemicals" because they do not degrade in the environment. Their presence in feed poses a risk to animal health and, through the food chain, to human health. Recommendation 2026/1307 expressly identifies them as contaminants to be monitored in feed for production and companion animals.
When will mandatory maximum limits for PFAS in feed come into force?
Recommendation 2026/1307 does not set a specific date for binding regulation. The monitoring programmes established now will generate the scientific data necessary for the European Commission to propose maximum limits in the future. The timeline will depend on the results of that monitoring and the European legislative process.
What types of feed are included in PFAS monitoring?
Recommendation 2026/1307 expressly includes feed intended for production animals (cattle, pigs, poultry and other production species) and feed for companion animals. The entire livestock production chain falls within the scope of monitoring.
What should livestock farmers do in response to this recommendation?
Livestock farmers should require their feed suppliers to provide information about PFAS analytical controls performed on the products they purchase. Although there is no direct legal obligation for the farmer today, the traceability of feed used in their operation will be part of food safety controls when the regulation becomes binding.
Official source
Consult the complete regulation in official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601307