New EFSA Guidance Document Catalogue Improves Access and Use
Summary
EFSA has launched a new Catalogue of EFSA Guidance Documents and an EU Library of Food Safety Guidance Documents, providing a single search platform for all EFSA guidance and related national guidance. Updated definitions clarify five categories of EFSA guidance documents by purpose, content, applicability, degree of obligation, and adoption authority. A new standardized process for guidance development improves traceability and predictability for guidance users including applicants and stakeholders.
What changed
EFSA has overhauled how its guidance documents are described, stored, and accessed. The new Catalogue of EFSA Guidance Documents consolidates all EFSA guidance into a single searchable platform, while the EU Library of Food Safety Guidance Documents aggregates guidance from EU national competent organisations. Updated definitions clarify five categories of guidance documents in terms of purpose, content, applicability, degree of obligation, and adoption authority, with a new standardized process for guidance development improving traceability.
Applicants, partners, and stakeholders seeking food safety guidance should note that all EFSA guidance documents are now accessible from one central location, with clearer categorization to help users identify applicable guidance. The changes are organizational in nature and do not create new compliance obligations.
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Apr 20, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
EFSA guidance documents: new catalogue to improve access and use
Published:
8 April 2026
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- An overhaul of how EFSA guidance documents are described, stored and accessed will make them easier to find, understand and use both by EFSA’s scientists and by partners and stakeholders including applicants.
Updated definitions clarify five categories of EFSA guidance documents in terms of: their purpose, content, applicability (eg, whether cross-cutting or sector specific), degree of obligation, and who adopts them.
In addition, the development of new guidance will follow a new standardised process to improve traceability The ability to track the journey of a foodstuff or ingredient through all stages of production, processing and distribution and predictability for guidance users.
Online tools to access EFSA guidance
A new Catalogue of EFSA Guidance Documents allows users to search and access all EFSA guidance documents from a single place.
Another new feature is the EU Library of Food Safety Guidance Documents which brings together guidance documents produced by EU national competent organisations and risk assessors and gathered by members of EFSA’s Advisory Forum and the national Focal Points.
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