LegalizeCommission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2072 of 17 September 2026 concerning the authorisation of perlite as a feed additive for poultry for fattening, poultry reared for laying or reproduction, ornamental birds, piglets and pigs for fattening
| Image omitted; see official source | Official Journal of the European Union | EN L series |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026/2072 | 18.9.2026 |
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition [^ntr1-L_202602072EN.000101-E0001], and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,
Whereas:
- (1) Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 provides for the authorisation of additives for use in animal nutrition and for the grounds and procedures for granting such an authorisation.
- (2) In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, an application was submitted for the authorisation of perlite. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.
- (3) The application concerns the authorisation of perlite as a feed additive for all terrestrial animal species, requesting that additive to be classified in the category ‘technological additives’ and in the functional group ‘anticaking agents’.
- (4) The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) in its opinion of 18 November 2025 [^ntr2-L_202602072EN.000101-E0002] concluded that perlite is considered safe at the maximum use level of 20 000 mg/kg complete feed for chickens for fattening and weaned piglets. This conclusion is extended to chickens reared for laying or reproduction, suckling piglets and pigs for fattening, and extrapolated to other poultry for fattening and reared for laying/reproduction and ornamental birds. However, considering the limitations of the studies assessed no conclusion can be reached on the safety of perlite for other terrestrial species and categories. The applicant decided to withdraw the application for species/categories other than poultry for fattening or reared for laying/reproduction, ornamental birds, piglets (suckling and weaned) and pigs for fattening. It also concluded that the additive is safe for the consumer and the environment at the proposed conditions of use. Regarding user safety, the Authority concluded that the additive is not irritant to skin or eyes but is considered to be dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Exposure by dermal and inhalation routes is considered a risk and should be minimised. It further concluded that perlite is efficacious as an anticaking agent in feed for terrestrial animal species. The Authority also verified the report on the method of analysis of the feed additive in feed submitted by the Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.
- (5) In view of the above, the Commission considers that perlite satisfies the conditions provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of that substance should be authorised for poultry for fattening, poultry reared for laying or reproduction, ornamental birds, piglets and pigs for fattening. In addition, the Commission considers that appropriate protective measures should be taken to prevent adverse effects on the health of the users of the additive.
- (6) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Authorisation
The substance specified in the Annex, belonging to the additive category ‘technological additives’ and the functional group ‘anticaking agents’, is authorised as an additive in animal nutrition, subject to the conditions laid down in that Annex.
Article 2
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 17 September 2026.
For the Commission
The President
Ursula VON DER LEYEN
[^ntr1-L_202602072EN.000101-E0001]: OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 29. ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2003/1831/oj.
[^ntr2-L_202602072EN.000101-E0002]: EFSA Journal. 2025;23:e9781. https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9781.
ANNEX
| Identification number of the additive | Name of the additive | Composition, chemical formula, description, analytical method | Species or category of animal | Maximum age | Minimum content | Maximum content | Other provisions | End of period of authorisation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification number of the additive | Name of the additive | Composition, chemical formula, description, analytical method | Species or category of animal | Maximum age | mg of additive/kg of complete feed with a moisture content of 12 % | mg of additive/kg of complete feed with a moisture content of 12 % | Other provisions | End of period of authorisation |
| Category: technological additives. Functional group: anticaking agents | Category: technological additives. Functional group: anticaking agents | Category: technological additives. Functional group: anticaking agents | Category: technological additives. Functional group: anticaking agents | Category: technological additives. Functional group: anticaking agents | Category: technological additives. Functional group: anticaking agents | Category: technological additives. Functional group: anticaking agents | Category: technological additives. Functional group: anticaking agents | Category: technological additives. Functional group: anticaking agents |
| 1i599 | Perlite | Additive composition Perlite, expanded ≥ 95,0 % Solid form. Characterisation of the active substance Perlite (silicate of sodium and aluminium): Expanded perlite (amorphous aluminosilicate volcanic glass) ≥ 95 %, Sodium and potassium feldspars ≤ 1 % Obtained by mining CAS Number 93763-70-3 EC number 618-970-4 Chemical formula: Al6H10K2Na2O76Si30 Impurities: Nickel: ≤ 2,48 mg/kg Respirable crystalline silica: ≤ 1 % Free of asbestos[^ntr1-L_202602072EN.000301-E0001] Analytical method [^ntr2-L_202602072EN.000301-E0002] For the characterisation of the feed additive: — X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrometry (EN 13925) and — X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry (EN ISO 12677) | Poultry for fattening Poultry reared for laying or reproduction Ornamental birds Piglets Pigs for fattening | - | - | 20 000 | 1. In the directions for use of the additive and premixtures, the storage conditions shall be indicated. 2. For users of the additive and premixtures, feed business operators shall establish operational procedures and organisational measures to address potential risks resulting from their use. Where those risks cannot be eliminated by such procedures and measures, the additive and premixtures shall be used with personal protective equipment, including skin and breathing protection. Particular attention shall be given to compliance with Union legislation on the protection of workers from the inhalation risks related to exposure to crystalline silica and nickel. | 8 October 2036 |
[^ntr1-L_202602072EN.000301-E0001]: Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
[^ntr2-L_202602072EN.000301-E0002]: Details of the analytical methods are available at the following address of the Reference Laboratory: https://joint-research-centre.ec.europa.eu/eurl-fa-eurl-feed-additives/eurl-fa-authorisation/eurl-fa-evaluation-reports_en
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2026/2072/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)
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