The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012

PART 4 N.I. Requirements for Ceramic Articles

Interpretation of this Part N.I.

9.—(1) In this Part —

(a) “ceramic article” means an article to which Regulation 1935/2004 applies by virtue of its Article 1(2) as read with 1(3) that —

(i) is manufactured from a mixture of inorganic materials with a generally high argillaceous or silicate content to which small quantities of organic materials may have been added,

(ii) is first shaped, with the shape thus obtained having been permanently fixed by firing, and

(iii) may be glazed, enamelled and/or decorated; and

(b) any reference to a numbered Article or Annex is a reference to that Article of or Annex to Directive 84/500/EEC.

Limits for lead and cadmium and declaration of compliance N.I.

10.—(1) The quantities of lead or cadmium transferred from a ceramic article must not exceed the limits laid down in Article 2(4) as read with Article 2(3) and (5).

(2) Unless it is demonstrated that the materials used to make the ceramic article did not contain lead or cadmium, compliance with paragraph (1) is to be determined by testing and analysis in accordance with Annexes I and II.

(3) A person must not place on the market a ceramic article that does not comply with the requirements of paragraph (1) as read with paragraph (2).

(4) A person who places on the market a ceramic article that is not yet in contact with food must provide a written declaration complying with paragraph (5) to accompany the article at the marketing stages up to and including the retail stage.

(5) The declaration must be issued by the manufacturer or by a person established within the EU who placed the ceramic article on the market and must contain the information laid down in Annex III.

(6) A person who manufactures or, in the course of business, imports into the EU a ceramic article must on request make available to an authorised officer appropriate documentation to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of paragraph (1) including —

(a) the results of analysis carried out;

(b) the test conditions; and

(c) the name and address of the laboratory that performed the testing.

(7) Paragraphs (4), (5) and (6) do not apply in relation to a ceramic article which is second-hand.

(8) The documentation specified in paragraph (6)(a), (b) and (c) is not required where documentary evidence is provided to show that the materials used to make the ceramic article did not contain lead or cadmium.