Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1865 of 29 July 2026 concerning the authorisation of thyme essential oil from Thymus vulgaris L. and/or Thymus zygis L. as a feed additive for all animal species
Data as of 2026-08-20 · Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. · Read the official text ↗
Authorisation
The substance specified in the Annex, belonging to the additive category ‘sensory additives’ and to the functional group ‘flavouring compounds’, is authorised as an additive in animal nutrition, subject to the conditions laid down in that Annex.
Transitional measures
1. The feed additive thyme essential oil from Thymus vulgaris L. and/or Thymus zygis L., as authorised pursuant to Directive 70/524/EEC, and premixtures containing that additive, which are produced and labelled before 19 February 2027 in accordance with the rules applicable before 19 August 2026 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 additive referred to in paragraph 1, which are produced and labelled before 19 August 2027 in accordance with the rules applicable before 19 August 2026 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 additive referred to in paragraph 1, which are produced and labelled before 19 August 2028 in accordance with the rules applicable before 19 August 2026 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.
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.
ANNEX Identification number of the additive Name of the additive Composition, chemical formula, description, analytical method Species or category of animal Maximum age Minimum content Maximum content Other provisions End of period of authorisation mg of additive/kg of complete feed with a moisture content of 12 % Category: Sensory additives. Functional group: Flavouring compounds 2b456-eo Thyme essential oil Additive composition Essential oil from the flowering aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris L. and/or Thymus zygis L. Liquid form Characterisation of active substance Thyme essential oil: Essential oil, as defined by the Council of Europe (CoE) ( 1 ) , obtained from the fresh flowering aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris L. and/or Thymus zygis L. by steam distillation and further condensation of volatile constituents and separation from the aqueous phase by decantation. EC numbers: 284-535-7 ( 2 ) / 285-397-0 ( 3 ) CAS numbers: 8007-46-3 ( 2 )/ 84929-51-1 ( 2 )/ 85085-75-2 ( 3 ) FEMA numbers: 3064/3065 CoE numbers: 456/457 Specifications: Thymol: 35-60 % p -Cymene (1-isopropyl-4-methylbenzene): 13-28 % γ-Terpinene: 4-13 % Linalool: 0,5-6,5 % Camphor: maximum 0,7 % Analytical method ( 4 ) For the determination of thymol (phytochemical marker) in the feed additive: — Gas chromatography coupled with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) (ISO 19817) Turkeys for fattening - - 64 1. The additive shall be incorporated into the feed in the form of a premixture. 2. In the directions for use of the additive and premixtures, the storage conditions and stability to heat treatment shall be indicated. 3. The additive shall not be used with other sources of thymol. 4. 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. 19 August 2036 Chickens for fattening and minor poultry for fattening - - 48 All poultry reared for laying or breeding - - 48 Ornamental birds - - 48 All poultry for laying and breeding - - 72 Pigs for fattening - - 100 Pigs for fattening of minor Suidae - - 86 Piglets (suckling and weaned) of all Suidae - - 86 All Suidae for reproduction - - 100 Calves for fattening 6 months - 100 Sheep and goats - - 100 Cattle for fattening; other ruminants for fattening except sheep, goats and calves for fattening up to 6 months old; Camelidae for fattening - - 100 All other ruminants; all other Camelidae - - 100 Equidae - - 100 Leporidae - - 76 Salmonids and minor fin fish - - 100 Dogs - - 100 Cats - - 38 Ornamental fish - - 100 Other species and categories - - 38 ( 1 ) Natural sources of flavourings – Report No 2 (2007). ( 2 ) Here it only refers to thyme essential oil from the flowering aerial parts of Thymus vulgaris L. ( 3 ) Here it only refers to thyme essential oil from the flowering aerial parts of Thymus zygis L. ( 4 ) 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 .
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.