Date: 2025-07-17Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1403 of 16 July 2025 concerning the authorisation of Spanish sage essential oil from Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia (Vahl) Gams and lavender essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia Mill. as feed additives for all animal species
Issued by European Commission
· Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
**Executive Summary:**
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1403 authorises Spanish sage essential oil and lavender essential oil as sensory feed additives (flavouring compounds) for all animal species. It establishes conditions of use, labelling requirements, and safety measures based on the European Food Safety Authority's assessment. The regulation includes transitional measures, allowing the continued use of products produced and labelled before specified dates until stocks are exhausted. It enters into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Authorisation of Feed Additives:**
* Spanish sage essential oil from *Salvia officinalis* ssp. *lavandulifolia* Vahl Gams (CAS number: 8016-65-7, Einecs number: 290-272-9, FEMA number: 3003, CoE number: 413) and lavender essential oil from *Lavandula angustifolia* Mill. (CAS number: 8000-28-0, Einecs number: 289-995-2, FEMA number: 2622, CoE number: 257) are authorised as feed additives for all animal species.
* Additive category: Sensory additives.
* Functional group: Flavouring compounds.
* The authorisation expires on 6 August 2035.
* **Conditions of Use:**
* The additives must be incorporated into feed in the form of a premixture.
* Use in water for drinking is not allowed.
* Maximum content of Spanish sage essential oil is 14 mg/kg of complete feed.
* Maximum content of lavender essential oil varies depending on animal species and category.
* Recommended maximum content should be indicated on the label of the feed additives.
* **Labelling Requirements:**
* Directions for use must include storage conditions and stability to heat treatment.
* The label of the additive shall indicate the recommended maximum content of the active substance per kg of complete feedingstuff.
* The functional group, identification number, name, and amount of the active substance must be indicated on the label of the premixture if the use levels would exceed specified limits.
* **Safety Measures:**
* Spanish sage and lavender essential oils are considered irritants to skin and eyes, and dermal and respiratory sensitisers.
* Feed business operators must establish operational procedures and organisational measures to address potential risks.
* Personal protective equipment (skin, eye, and breathing) must be used if risks cannot be eliminated.
* **Transitional Measures:**
* Feed additives and premixtures produced and labelled before 6 February 2026, according to pre-existing rules, can be placed on the market and used until stocks are exhausted.
* Compound feed and feed materials for food-producing animals, containing these additives and produced/labelled before 6 August 2026 under previous rules, can be used until stocks are exhausted.
* Compound feed and feed materials for non-food-producing animals, containing these additives and produced/labelled before 6 August 2027 under previous rules, can be used until stocks are exhausted.
**Impact Analysis:**
**Feed Manufacturers:**
* *Impact:* Required to use Spanish sage and lavender essential oils within the specified limits and conditions. Must ensure proper labelling of additives and premixtures.
* *Action Required:* Reformulate feed products as necessary, update labels to comply with new requirements, and implement safety measures for handling the additives.
**Farmers/Animal Feeders:**
* *Impact:* Must use feed containing the authorised additives according to the specified conditions.
* *Action Required:* Ensure feed purchases comply with the new regulations and follow safety instructions for handling feed containing the additives.
**Additive Manufacturers/Suppliers:**
* *Impact:* Must ensure their products meet the new specifications and labelling requirements.
* *Action Required:* Update product information, labels, and safety data sheets to comply with the regulation.
**Enforcement Authorities:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with the regulation.
* *Action Required:* Update inspection procedures and analytical methods to ensure compliance.
**European Food Safety Authority (EFSA):**
* *Impact:* Their scientific opinions formed the basis for this regulation.
* *Action Required:* Continue to monitor new scientific information related to the safety and efficacy of these additives.
Key Entities Referenced
European Union: A political and economic union of member states located primarily in Europe.
European Commission: The executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU's day-to-day operations.
Regulation EC No 1831/2003: A regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on additives for use in animal nutrition.
European Parliament: One of the legislative bodies of the European Union
Council Directive 70/524/EEC: A Council Directive concerning additives in feedingstuffs.
Spanish sage essential oil from Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia Vahl Gams: A feed additive for all animal species.
lavender essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia Mill.: A feed additive for all animal species.
European Food Safety Authority: An agency of the European Union that provides independent scientific advice and communicates on risks associated with the food chain.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2025/1403 17.7.2025
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION(EU) 2025/1403
of 16 July 2025
concerning the authorisation of Spanish sage essential oil from Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia
(Vahl) Gams and lavender essential oil from Lavandula angustifoliaMill. as feed additives for all
animal species
(Text with EEA relevance)
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(1), 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. Article 10(2) of that Regulation provides for the
re-evaluation of additives authorised pursuant to Council Directive 70/524/EEC(2).
(2) The substances Spanish sage essential oil from Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia(Vahl) Gams and lavender essential oil
from Lavandula angustifolia Mill. were authorised without a time limit in accordance with Directive 70/524/EEC as
feed additives for all animal species. Those substances were subsequently entered in the Register of Feed Additives as
existing products, in accordance with Article 10(1), point (b), of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.
(3) In accordance with Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 in conjunction with Article 7 thereof, an
application was submitted for the authorisation of Spanish sage essential oil from Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia
(Vahl) Gams and lavender essential oil from Lavandula angustifolia Mill. as feed additives for all animal species,
requesting the additives to be classified in the additive category ‘sensory additives’ and in the functional group
‘flavouring compounds’. The application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under
Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.
(4) The applicant requested the substances concerned to be authorised for use also in water for drinking. However,
Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 does not allow the authorisation of ‘flavouring compounds’ for use in water for
drinking. Therefore, the use of these additives in water for drinking should not be allowed.
(5) The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinions of 17 September 2024(3),(4) that
Spanish sage essential oil from Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia(Vahl) Gams is safe up to the use level of 14 mg/kg
complete feed for all animal species, and that lavender essential oil from Lavandula angustifoliaMill. is safe at certain
maximum concentrations further specified for each species. It also found that the use of Spanish sage essential oil
from Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia(Vahl) Gams and lavender essential oil from Lavandula angustifoliaMill. under
the proposed conditions of use is safe for the consumers and the environment. The Authority concluded that
Spanish sage essential oil from Salvia officinalis ssp. lavandulifolia (Vahl) Gams and lavender essential oil from
Lavandula angustifolia Mill. should be considered as irritants to skin and eyes, and as dermal and respiratory
sensitisers. The Authority further concluded that since the oil of the leaves of Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia(Vahl)
Gams and the oil of flowering tops of Lavandula angustifoliaMill are recognised to flavour food and their function in
feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy is considered necessary. It
also verified the report on the method of analysis of the feed additives in feed submitted by the Reference Laboratory
set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.
(1) OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 29, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2003/1831/oj.
(2) Council Directive 70/524/EEC of 23 November 1970 concerning additives in feedingstuffs (OJ L 270, 14.12.1970, p. 1, ELI: http://
data.europa.eu/eli/dir/1970/524/oj).
(3) EFSA Journal 2024:22(10), e9015, https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9015.
(4) EFSA Journal 2024:22(10), e9017, https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.9017.
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/1403/oj 1/8EN
OJ L, 17.7.2025
(6) In view of the above, the Commission considers that Spanish sage essential oil from Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia
(Vahl) Gams and lavender essential oil from Lavandula angustifoliaMill. satisfy the conditions provided for in Article 5
of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of those substances should be authorised as specified in the
Annex to this Regulation. In addition, the Commission considers that appropriate protective measures should be
taken to prevent adverse effects on the health of the users of the additives.
(7) The Commission considers that safety reasons do not require the setting of maximum levels for Spanish sage essential
oil from Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia(Vahl) Gams and lavender essential oil from Lavandula angustifoliaMill. In
order to allow better control, the recommended maximum content should be indicated on the label of the feed
additives. Where the recommended maximum content is exceeded, certain information should be indicated on the
label of the premixtures concerned.
(8) Since safety reasons do not require the immediate application of the modifications to the conditions of authorisation
of the substances concerned, it is appropriate to provide for a transitional period for interested parties to prepare
themselves to meet the new requirements resulting from the authorisation.
(9) 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 substances specified in the Annex, belonging to the additive category ‘sensory additives’ and to the functional group
‘flavouring compounds’, are authorised as additives in animal nutrition, subject to the conditions laid down in that Annex.
Article 2
Transitional measures
1. The feed additives Spanish sage essential oil from Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia(Vahl) Gams and lavender essential
oil from Lavandula angustifolia Mill., as authorised pursuant to Directive 70/524/EEC and premixtures containing these
additives, which are produced and labelled before 6 February 2026 in accordance with the rules applicable before
6 August 2025 may continue to be placed on the market and used until the stocks concerned are exhausted.
2. Compound feed and feed materials containing the feed additives referred to in paragraph 1, which are produced and
labelled before 6 August 2026 in accordance with the rules applicable before 6 August 2025 may continue to be placed on
the market and used until the stocks concerned are exhausted if they are intended for food-producing animals.
3. Compound feed and feed materials containing the feed additives referred to in paragraph 1, which are produced and
labelled before 6 August 2027 in accordance with the rules applicable before 6 August 2025 may continue to be placed on
the market and used until the stocks concerned are exhausted if they are intended for non-food producing animals.
2/8 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/1403/ojEN
OJ L, 17.7.2025
Article 3
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, 16 July 2025.
For the Commission
The President
Ursula VON DER LEYEN
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/1403/oj 3/8ANNEX
Minimum Maximum
content content
Identification Species or Maxi End of period
Composition, chemical formula, description,
number of the Additive category of mum Other provisions of
analytical method mg of additive/kg of complete
feed additive animal age authorisation
feedingstuff with a moisture
content of 12 %
Category: Sensory additives. Functional group: Flavouring compounds
2b413-eo Spanish sage Additive composition All animal — — — 1. The additive shall be 6 August
essential oil species incorporated into the feed in 2035
Essential oil from leaves of Salvia
the form of a premixture.
officinalisssp. lavandulifolia(Vahl) Gams
(synonym: S. lavandulifoliaVahl.)
2. In the directions for use of
Liquid form the additive and premixtures,
the storage conditions and
Characterisation of active substance stability to heat treatment
shall be indicated.
Spanish sage essential oil:
Essential oil, as defined by the Council of
Europe (CoE)(1), obtained from leaves of 3. On the label of the additive,
Salvia officinalisssp. lavandulifolia(Vahl) the following shall be
Gams by steam distillation and further indicated:
condensation of volatile constituents and ‘Recommended maximum
separation from the aqueous phase by content of the active
decantation. substance per kg of
CAS number: 8016-65-7 complete feedingstuff with a
Einecs number: 290-272-9 moisture content of 12 %:
FEMA number: 3003 14 mg’.
CoE number: 413
4. The functional group, the
Specifications:
identification number, the
— Camphor: 11-36 % name and the added amount
— 1,8-cineole (eucalyptol): 10-30 % of the active substance shall
— α-Pinene (pin-2(3)-ene): 4-11 % be indicated on the label of
— d-Limonene: 2-6 % the premixture, where the
— Thujones: 0,001 % use levels on the label of the
premixture would result in
exceeding the levels referred
to in point 3.
4/8
ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/1403/oj
EN
OJ
L,
17.7.2025Minimum Maximum
content content Identification Species or Maxi End of period
Composition, chemical formula, description,
number of the Additive category of mum Other provisions of
analytical method mg of additive/kg of complete
feed additive animal age authorisation
feedingstuff with a moisture
content of 12 %
Analytical method(2) 5. For users of the additive and
premixtures, feed business
For the determination of 1,8-cineoleand
operators shall establish
camphor (phytochemical markers) in the
operational procedures and
feed additive:
organisational measures to
— gas chromatography coupled with address potential risks
flame ionisation detection (GC–FID) resulting from their use.
(ISO 3526) Where those risks cannot be
eliminated by such
procedures and measures,
the additive and premixtures
shall be used with personal
skin, eye and breathing
protective equipment.
(1) Natural sources of flavourings – Report No 2 (2007).
(2) 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.
Minimum Maximum
content content
Identification Species or Maxi End of period
Composition, chemical formula, description,
number of the Additive category of mum Other provisions of
analytical method mg of additive/kg of complete
feed additive animal age authorisation
feedingstuff with a moisture
content of 12 %
Category: Sensory additives. Functional group: Flavouring compounds
2b257-eo Lavender Additive composition All animal — — — 1. The additive shall be 6 August
essential oil species incorporated into the feed in 2035
Essential oil from the fresh flowering
the form of a premixture.
tops of Lavandula angustifoliaMill.
Liquid form
ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/1403/oj
5/8
OJ
L,
17.7.2025
ENMinimum Maximum
content content
Identification Species or Maxi End of period
Composition, chemical formula, description,
number of the Additive category of mum Other provisions of
analytical method mg of additive/kg of complete
feed additive animal age authorisation
feedingstuff with a moisture
content of 12 %
Characterisation of active substance 2. In the directions for use of
the additive and premixtures,
Lavender essential oil:
the storage conditions and
Essential oil, as defined by the Council of
stability to heat treatment
Europe(1), obtained from the fresh
shall be indicated.
flowering tops of Lavandula angustifolia
Mill.by steam distillation and further
condensation of volatile constituents and 3. On the label of the additive,
separation from the aqueous phase by the following shall be
decantation. indicated:
‘Recommended maximum
CAS number: 8000-28-0
content of the active
Einecs number: 289-995-2
substance per kg of
FEMA number: 2622
complete feedingstuff with a
CoE number: 257
moisture content of 12 %:
Specifications: — 12 mg for turkeys for
— Linalyl acetate: 25-47 % fattening;
— Linalool: 20-45 % — 9 mg for chickens for
— 4-Terpinenol: 0,1-8 % fattening and minor
— (Z)-β-Ocimene: < 10 % poultry for fattening;
— 9 mg for all poultry
Analytical method(2) reared for laying or
breeding;
For the determination of linalyl acetate — 9 mg for ornamental
and linalool (phytochemical markers) in birds;
the feed additive: — 13 mg for all poultry for
— gas chromatography coupled with laying or breeding;
flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) — 19 mg for pigs for
(ISO 3515) fattening;
6/8
ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/1403/oj
EN
OJ
L,
17.7.2025Minimum Maximum
content content Identification Species or Maxi End of period
Composition, chemical formula, description,
number of the Additive category of mum Other provisions of
analytical method mg of additive/kg of complete
feed additive animal age authorisation
feedingstuff with a moisture
content of 12 %
— 16 mg for piglets
(suckling and weaned)
of all Suidae;
— 16 mg for pigs for
fattening of minor
Suidae
— 23 mg for all Suidaefor
reproduction;
— 39 mg for calves for
fattening up to 6
months;
— 35 mg for sheep and
goats;
— 35 mg for cattle for
fattening, other
ruminants for fattening
except sheep, goats and
calves for fattening up to
6 months; Camelidaefor
fattening;
— 22 mg for all other
ruminants; all other
Camelidae;
— 35 mg for Equidae;
— 14 mg for Leporidae;
— 39 mg for Salmonids
and minor fin fish;
— 30 mg for dogs;
— 7 mg for cats;
— 30 mg for ornamental
fish;
— 7 mg for other species
and categories.’.
ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/1403/oj
7/8
OJ
L,
17.7.2025
ENMinimum Maximum
content content
Identification Species or Maxi End of period
Composition, chemical formula, description,
number of the Additive category of mum Other provisions of
analytical method mg of additive/kg of complete
feed additive animal age authorisation
feedingstuff with a moisture
content of 12 %
4. The functional group, the
identification number, the
name and the added amount
of the active substance shall
be indicated on the label of
the premixture, where the
use levels on the label of the
premixture would result in
exceeding the levels referred
to in point 3.
5. 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
skin, eye and breathing
protective equipment.
(1) Natural sources of flavourings – Report No 2 (2007).
(2) 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.
8/8
ELI:
http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg_impl/2025/1403/oj
EN
OJ
L,
17.7.2025