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Regulation (EU) 2017/625 on official controls: single framework since 14 December 2019

Updated 2026-07-12 · Reviewed by: ce85204 editorial team — AI-assisted editorial review (2026-07-12)

Regulation (EU) 2017/625 establishes a single framework for official controls along the agri-food chain and has applied in general since 14 December 2019. It repealed and replaced Regulations (EC) 854/2004 and 882/2004, which are no longer in force.

Since 14 December 2019, official controls along the agri-food chain have been governed by Regulation (EU) 2017/625, which established a single, risk-based legal framework. Its application repealed and replaced the earlier Regulations (EC) 854/2004 and 882/2004 — a point often overlooked, which leads people to cite as still in force rules that no longer are. The regulation does not amend Regulation (EC) No 852/2004; it is its public-law counterpart: to the operator's obligations corresponds the competent authority's verification activity.

At a glance

  • Regulation (EU) 2017/625 is the regulation on official controls and other official activities along the agri-food chain Article 1 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, applying in general since 14 December 2019.
  • It repealed and replaced Regulations (EC) 854/2004 and 882/2004: citing them as still in force is a recurring mistake.
  • Within Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 the anchor is Article 6(1), which refers to official controls by the competent authority Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.
  • It introduces a single framework, a risk-based approach and transparency of controls.
  • It creates no new hygiene obligations for the operator: it affects how the authority verifies those already set by the Hygiene Package.

Commentary

Background

Before 2017/625, official controls on food were spread across several acts: Regulation (EC) 882/2004, of general scope on feed and food, and Regulation (EC) 854/2004, specific to products of animal origin. This fragmentation made verification uneven across Member States and sectors. The Union legislator intervened with a single regulation covering the whole agri-food chain, from primary production to sale, defining its subject matter and scope Article 1 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625.

What it provides

The regulation establishes a single framework for official controls and other official activities performed by competent authorities to verify compliance with Union agri-food chain legislation Article 1 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625. Controls are organised on a risk-based approach, with a frequency proportionate to the identified risk, and are geared towards transparency for operators and the public. The scope includes, among other things, food and feed safety, hygiene, animal health and welfare, and plant health.

What changes for operators

For the food business operator the substantive hygiene obligations do not change: they remain those of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 — self-checks based on the HACCP principles Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and registration or approval of the establishment Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. What changes is the control side: the competent authority verifies those obligations through a harmonised, risk-based and documented method. To prepare for a control, see the official controls guide and the note on what to expect from a control. In Italy, controls are carried out by the competent authorities designated at national and regional level.

Coordination with Regulation 852/2004

Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and Regulation (EU) 2017/625 operate on distinct but complementary planes. The former sets the operator's obligations; the latter governs public verification. The bridge between them is Article 6 of Regulation 852/2004: paragraph 1 is without prejudice to other official-control requirements and requires the operator to cooperate with the competent authority Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004, while paragraph 2 sets the obligation to register establishments Article 6(2) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. Regulation 2017/625 did not amend these provisions: it only redefined the procedural frame of the control.

Common errors

  • Citing Regulations (EC) 854/2004 and 882/2004 as still in force. Both were repealed and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2017/625 upon its application on 14 December 2019: they should be referred to only as prior law.
  • Assuming that 2017/625 amended Regulation 852/2004. They are distinct acts: 852/2004 governs the operator's hygiene obligations, 2017/625 the authority's official controls.

Frequently asked questions

Since when does Regulation (EU) 2017/625 apply?

In general since 14 December 2019. From that date it governs official controls along the agri-food chain Article 1 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, replacing Regulations (EC) 854/2004 and 882/2004.

Did Regulation 2017/625 repeal Regulations 854/2004 and 882/2004?

Yes. Both were repealed and replaced by Regulation (EU) 2017/625: they are no longer in force and should not be cited as current law.

Did Regulation 2017/625 amend Regulation 852/2004?

No. They are distinct acts. Regulation 852/2004 sets the operator's hygiene obligations; 2017/625 governs the authority's control activity. The anchor within 852/2004 is Article 6(1) Article 6(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004.

What changes for the food business operator?

The substantive hygiene obligations remain those of Regulation 852/2004, including HACCP self-checks Article 5(1) of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. What changes is how the authority verifies them: risk-based, harmonised and transparent controls.

Who carries out official controls in Italy?

The competent authorities designated at national and regional level. The operational framework is described on the page on competent authorities in Italy and in the official controls guide.

Sources

Drafting and review

ce85204 editorial team. Draft generated with AI from primary sources; AI-assisted editorial review (see methodology).