As the animal feed industry continues to evolve, the regulatory landscape is becoming increasingly complex. Whether you’re responsible for formulation, production, safety, or regulatory compliance, understanding and keeping up with changing rules and requirements is more important than ever.
At Borregaard, we understand these challenges. Our long-standing commitment to sustainable, bio-based solutions and regulatory excellence – including securing the reauthorisation of our lignosulfonates in Europe – means we know what it takes to navigate these stringent frameworks successfully. In this article, we share insights into the current regulatory landscape, highlight regional differences, and provide practical advice to help you stay ahead.
Understanding the Changing Regulatory Landscape
Animal feed regulations worldwide are evolving in response to several drivers:
- Safety: Regulations increasingly cover not only animal health and food chain safety, but also workplace safety and environmental protection. Additives must be safe to handle in production environments, and their use should not negatively impact the surrounding ecosystem.
- Sustainability: Growing demand for traceable, eco-friendly ingredients is reshaping expectations across the supply chain.
- Innovation: New products and technologies require updated approvals and clearer performance documentation.
In Europe, the trend towards greater scrutiny is clear. The reauthorisation process for feed additives, including well-established technologies like lignosulfonates, now requires not only extensive safety data but also documented performance to justify continued use. Authorities want proof that additives are both safe and effective.
Our recent experience with the EU reauthorisation of lignosulfonates confirmed this: we provided robust data to demonstrate the safety of the additive for target animals, consumers, users/workers, and the environment. This included tests on earthworms and plants to confirm that our products do not negatively affect soil health or biodiversity, helping secure approval and continuity of supply for our customers.
Outside Europe, similar trends are unfolding. Markets in Asia and the Americas are tightening regulations, with increased emphasis on feed safety, traceability, and sustainable sourcing.
For businesses across the feed supply chain, understanding and anticipating these developments is essential.
Regional Differences: What Feed Producers Need to Know
While there are shared goals across regions, regulatory frameworks vary considerably. Here’s a brief overview:
|
Region |
Key Regulatory Bodies |
Focus Areas |
|
Europe |
European Commission, European Parliament, European Council |
Additive (re-)authorisation, sustainability, stringent safety and performance evaluations |
|
United States |
FDA |
Ingredient definitions (GRAS status), animal health, labelling requirements |
|
Asia |
National bodies (e.g., MOARA in China) |
Fragmented regulations, import controls, growing emphasis on feed safety |
In Europe, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) provides scientific advice and risk assessments on food safety. It evaluates risks related to food, feed, and the environment, ensuring public health protection. EFSA supports EU decision-making by offering independent, evidence-based assessments on issues such as additives, contaminants, and food safety.
In the US, AAFCO develops model regulations, ingredient definitions, and labelling standards for animal feed, which U.S. states voluntarily adopt to ensure consistency and safety in feed regulation.
In addition to mandatory regulations, many producers choose to comply with voluntary certification schemes such as GMP+ and FAMI-QS, both recognised globally. GMP+ helps ensure feed safety across the entire supply chain and supports market access to discerning buyers and regions.
Understanding these regional frameworks helps feed manufacturers and formulators make informed decisions and remain compliant across markets.
How to Stay Ahead of Regulatory Changes
Managing regulatory complexity doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some best practices:
- Stay informed: Subscribe to updates from authorities such as EFSA, FEFAC, FDA, FAMI-QS, and GMP+.
- Engage with industry bodies: Participate in trade associations and working groups to gain early insights.
- Document product performance: Beyond safety and composition, regulators increasingly expect documented proof of efficacy. Your additives must not only be safe but also demonstrably effective for their intended use.
- Assess environmental and workplace impact: Regulations now demand data on environmental safety (such as impact on soil organisms and plants) as well as safe handling in feed mills and production environments.
- Work with proactive suppliers: Collaborate with partners who prioritise regulatory compliance and stay ahead of industry changes.
At Borregaard, we actively monitor developments and engage with regulatory bodies to ensure our products meet current and future requirements. Our successful reauthorisation of lignosulfonates in Europe is a direct result of this commitment.
Resources for Feed Industry Professionals
To help you navigate this complex environment, we recommend these resources:
The Growing Importance of Documented Performance
Regulators today expect more than just claims — they require concrete evidence that feed additives deliver the promised effects. Whether it’s improved pelleting efficiency, nutritional uptake, or pathogen control, well-documented performance data strengthens applications for approval and builds confidence in your processes.
At Borregaard, we invest heavily in research and trials to provide this level of assurance. During our lignosulfonate reauthorisation process, demonstrating effective pelleting performance alongside safety data was essential. In addition, we conducted environmental safety studies, including testing on earthworms and plants, to confirm that our products do not negatively impact the surrounding ecosystem. This comprehensive approach helps our customers stay compliant while optimising their operations.
Ensuring Safety for People and the Environment
Beyond animal health and food safety, regulations increasingly focus on safe handling and environmental protection. Feed additives must be safe for workers in production environments and must not pose risks to soil, water, or surrounding ecosystems.
At Borregaard, we take these responsibilities seriously. Our solutions are designed to be safe and easy to handle, supporting safer operations at your feed mill. Through rigorous testing — including soil organism and plant impact studies — we ensure that our products meet environmental safety standards, helping you maintain compliance and support your sustainability goals.
Choosing the Right Partners Matters
Navigating regulatory requirements is not just about staying compliant – it’s about choosing partners who help you maintain product quality, ensure safe operations, and meet sustainability targets.
Borregaard offers a range of bio-based solutions for the animal feed industry, including:
- Pelleting aids: Lignosulfonate-based solutions with proven performance and approved use.
- SoftAcid products: A friendly acidifier range with handling and efficacy benefits.
- Bypass proteins and emulsion stabilisers: Supporting nutrition and processing efficiency.
We understand the pressures you face, and we work closely with our customers to provide not only proven products but also the regulatory support they need to succeed.
Resources for Feed Industry Professionals
To help you navigate this complex environment, we recommend these resources:
Conclusion
The regulatory environment for animal feed is growing in complexity, but with the right knowledge and partners, it becomes manageable. At Borregaard, we’re committed to helping our customers navigate these changes confidently, providing solutions that meet both today’s requirements and tomorrow’s expectations.
Contact us to learn more about how our sustainable, bio-based products and regulatory expertise can support your operations.