EN 601:2026

Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Castings - Chemical composition of castings for use in contact with foodstuff

This document specifies the maximum mass content of alloying elements and impurities in aluminium and aluminium alloy cast materials and articles designed to be in contact with foodstuff. It contains provisions for the demonstration of conformity of products with the present document.
NOTE   Materials include ingots and liquid metal. Articles are finished goods.

Aluminium und Aluminiumlegierungen - Gussstücke - Chemische Zusammensetzung von Gussstücken, die in Kontakt mit Lebensmitteln kommen

Dieses Dokument legt den maximalen Massenanteil an Legierungselementen und Verunreinigungen in Aluminium und Aluminium-Gusslegierungen und Erzeugnissen fest, die für den Kontakt mit Lebensmitteln vorgesehen sind. Es enthält Bestimmungen für den Nachweis der Übereinstimmung von Erzeugnissen mit diesem Dokument.
ANMERKUNG   Gusslegierungen gibt es als Masseln und Flüssigmetall. Erzeugnisse sind Fertigwaren.

Aluminium et alliages d’aluminium - Pièces moulées - Composition chimique des pièces moulées destinées à entrer en contact avec les denrées alimentaires

Le présent document spécifie les teneurs massiques maximales en éléments d’alliage et en impuretés dans les matériaux et articles en aluminium et alliages d’aluminium de moulage destinés à entrer en contact avec les denrées alimentaires. Il contient des dispositions pour la démonstration de la conformité des produits au présent document.
NOTE   Les lingots et le métal liquide font partie des matériaux. Les articles sont des produits finis.

Aluminij in aluminijeve zlitine - Ulitki - Kemična sestava ulitkov za uporabo v stiku z živili

Ta dokument določa največjo vsebnost zlitinskih elementov in nečistoč v litih materialih in izdelkih iz aluminija in aluminijevih zlitin, namenjenih za stik z živili. Vsebuje določbe za dokazovanje skladnosti izdelkov s tem dokumentom.
OPOMBA: Materiali vključujejo ingote in tekočo kovino. Izdelki so končni proizvodi.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 02-Jun-2026
• ICS: 67.250 - Materials and articles in contact with foodstuffs
• ICS: 77.150.10 - Aluminium products
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 132 - Aluminium and aluminium alloys
• Drafting Committee: WG 33 - Specific applications
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 03-Jun-2026
• Due Date: 01-Aug-2026
• Completion Date: 03-Jun-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 601:2026 - Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Castings - Chemical composition of castings for use in contact with foodstuff

Relations

• Replaces: EN 601:2004 - Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Castings - Chemical composition of castings for use in contact with foodstuff
• Effective Date: 26-Mar-2025
• Referred By: EN 14392:2007 - Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Requirements for anodised products for use in contact with foodstuff
• Effective Date: 10-Jun-2026

Overview

EN 601:2026 specifies the maximum permissible mass content of alloying elements and impurities in aluminium and aluminium alloy castings intended for use in contact with foodstuff. Developed by CEN (European Committee for Standardization), this standard is crucial for manufacturers and suppliers of food-contact aluminium cast materials, including ingots, liquid metal, and finished goods. It ensures these products meet stringent safety and quality requirements, helping to protect consumer health while supporting compliance with European regulations.

The standard also outlines provisions for demonstrating conformity and provides guidance on material selection and quality assurance processes. By adhering to EN 601:2026, businesses contribute to food safety and regulatory alignment in the European market.

Key Topics

• Material Scope: Applies to cast aluminium and aluminium alloys in ingot, liquid, or final article forms, specifically those intended for food contact applications.
• Element Limits: Defines maximum permissible concentrations for alloying elements (e.g., silicon, bismuth, iron, copper, magnesium) and impurities to ensure safe use in food contact.
• Conformity Demonstration: Requires a quality assurance protocol, including product traceability, raw material qualification, and the issuance of inspection certificates to verify compliance.
• Application of Standards: Refers to EN 1706 for chemical and mechanical properties, EN 10204 for inspection documentation, and EN 12258-1 for terminology.
• Regulatory References: Aligns with key European legislative requirements such as Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on food contact materials, and Directive 94/62/EC on packaging and packaging waste.
• Toxicological Considerations: Elemental restrictions are based on toxicological data to limit potential migration into foodstuffs and ensure consumer safety.
• Periodic Certification: Certificates of conformity must be kept current, with a maximum interval of twelve months between issuances.

Applications

EN 601:2026 plays a vital role in industries where aluminium castings come into contact with food, including:

• Food Packaging: Covers aluminium trays, containers, and closures used in food packaging, ensuring materials will not contaminate food products.
• Cookware and Utensils: Guides manufacturers of pots, pans, and kitchen utensils in selecting aluminium alloys that comply with food safety requirements.
• Food Processing Equipment: Ensures safe use of aluminium cast parts in machinery and equipment that handle food during manufacturing or preparation.
• Beverage Containers: Provides assurances for cast aluminium components in beverage packaging or dispensing systems.
• Custom Aluminium Components: Applicable for producers of bespoke aluminium parts for the food industry, including those required by supermarkets, food service, or catering businesses.

By adhering to EN 601:2026, manufacturers can guarantee their aluminium castings are suitable and compliant for use in contact with food, reducing liability and supporting market access throughout Europe.

Related Standards

• EN 1706 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys – Castings – Chemical composition and mechanical properties
• EN 10204 – Metallic products – Types of inspection documents
• EN 12258-1 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys – General terms and definitions
• Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 – Materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
• Commission Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006 – Good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food
• Directive 94/62/EC and Directive (EU) 2018/852 – Packaging and packaging waste

EN 601:2026 ensures food safety, legal compliance, and product quality in aluminium castings for food-contact applications. Manufacturers, suppliers, and regulatory bodies should consult this standard for the latest requirements and best practices in the industry.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-julij-2026
Aluminij in aluminijeve zlitine - Ulitki - Kemična sestava ulitkov, ki se uporabljajo v
stiku z živili
Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Castings - Chemical composition of castings for use in
contact with foodstuff
Aluminium und Aluminiumlegierungen - Gussstücke - Chemische Zusammensetzung
von Gussstücken, die in Kontakt mit Lebensmitteln kommen
Aluminium et alliages d’aluminium - Pièces moulées - Composition chimique des pièces
moulées destinées à entrer en contact avec les denrées alimentaires
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 601:2026
ICS:
67.250 Materiali in predmeti v stiku z Materials and articles in
živili contact with foodstuffs
77.150.10 Aluminijski izdelki Aluminium products
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 601
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
June 2026
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 77.150.10 Supersedes EN 601:2004
English Version
Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Castings - Chemical
composition of castings for use in contact with foodstuff
Aluminium et alliages d'aluminium - Pièces moulées - Aluminium und Aluminiumlegierungen - Gussstücke -
Composition chimique des pièces moulées destinées à Chemische Zusammensetzung von Gussstücken, die in
entrer en contact avec les denrées alimentaires Kontakt mit Lebensmitteln kommen
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 20 April 2026.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2026 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 601:2026 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 4
4 Maximum permissible content of elements for foodstuff application . 5
4.1 Cast aluminium . 5
4.2 Cast aluminium alloys . 5
5 Selection of cast aluminium and aluminium alloys . 6
6 Demonstration of compliance with the present standard . 7
Annex A (informative) A-deviations . 8
Bibliography . 9

European foreword
This document (EN 601:2026) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 132 “Aluminium and
aluminium alloys”, the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by December 2026, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by December 2026.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
This document supersedes EN 601:2004.
— Addition of bismuth element limitation in Table 2;
— Deletion of nickel, antimony, strontium element limitations from Table 2;
— Informative reference to European Parliament and Council Directive 94/62/EC of 20 December 1994
and its amendment from 2018 on packaging and packaging waste;
— Addition of a Bibliography.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies the maximum mass content of alloying elements and impurities in aluminium
and aluminium alloy cast materials and articles designed to be in contact with foodstuff. It contains
provisions for the demonstration of conformity of products with the present document.
NOTE Materials include ingots and liquid metal. Articles are finished goods.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 1706, Aluminium and aluminium alloys — Castings — Chemical composition and mechanical properties
EN 10204, Metallic products - Types of inspection documents
EN 12258-1, Aluminium and aluminium alloys - Terms and definitions - Part 1: General terms
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in EN 12258-1 and the following apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp/
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
3.1
aluminium
aluminium without alloying elements where the minimum aluminium content is specified to be greater
than 99,00 %, provided that the content by mass of any other element does not exceed the limit specified
in Table 1
Table 1 — Aluminium - Other elements
Element Maximum content
% (by mass)
Iron + Silicon 1,0
0,10 (if Cr and / or Mn ≥ 0,05)
Copper
0,20 (if Cr < 0,05 and Mn < 0,05)
a
Other elements 0,10 each
a
Other elements are for example, Cr, Mg, Mn, Ni, Zn.
[SOURCE: EN 12258-1, 2.1.2, modified (title changed from “unalloyed aluminium” as “alum
...