{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2005-78/introduction",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2005-78/introduction.json",
  "legislation": "eur/2005/78",
  "legislation_title": "Commission Regulation (EC) No 78/2005 of 19 January 2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 as regards heavy metals (Text with EEA relevance)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2005-78",
  "path": "introduction",
  "kind": "introduction",
  "number": null,
  "heading": "Introductory text",
  "text": "Commission Regulation (EC) No 78/2005\nof 19 January 2005\namending Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 as regards heavy metals\n(Text with EEA relevance)\nTHE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,\nHaving regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,\nHaving regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 315/93 of 8 February 1993 laying down Community procedures for contaminants in food, and in particular Article 2(3) thereof,\nAfter consulting the Scientific Committee on Food and the European Food Safety Authority,\nWhereas:\n(1)\nCommission Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 sets maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs. These measures, as specifically amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 221/2002, include maximum levels for the heavy metals lead, cadmium and mercury.\n(2)\nIt is essential, in order to protect public health, to keep contaminants at levels which do not cause health concerns. Maximum levels for lead, cadmium and mercury must be safe and as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) based upon good manufacturing and agricultural/ fishery practices. On the basis of new information on the achievability of maximum levels in certain aquatic species it is necessary to revise the relevant provisions of Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 for these contaminants in certain foods. The revised provisions maintain a high level of consumer health protection.\n(3)\nRegulation (EC) No 466/2001 should be amended accordingly.\n(4)\nThe measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,\nHAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f1",
      "text": "OJ L 37, 13.2.1993, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1)."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f2",
      "text": "OJ L 77, 16.3.2001, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation (EC) No 684/2004 (OJ L 106, 15.4.2004, p. 6)."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f3",
      "text": "OJ L 37, 7.2.2002, p. 4."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2005/78/introduction",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T14:54:55.543543+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}