Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2128 of 18 September 2026 concerning the authorisation of citronella essential oil from Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle as a feed additive for all animal species
In force
Version historyWe hold this version only; in force from 2026-09-18.
Data as of 2026-10-15 · 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 citronella essential oil from Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle, as authorised pursuant to Directive 70/524/EEC and premixtures containing this additive, which are produced and labelled before 11 April 2027 in accordance with the rules applicable before 11 October 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 11 October 2027 in accordance with the rules applicable before 11 October 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 11 October 2028 in accordance with the rules applicable before 11 October 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 active substance/kg of complete feed with a moisture content of 12 % Category: Sensory additives. Functional group: Flavouring compounds 2b39-eo Citronella essential oil Additive composition Essential oil from the leaves of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle Liquid form Characterisation of the active substance Citronella essential oil: Essential oil, as defined by the Council of Europe ( 1 ) , obtained from the leaves of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle by steam distillation and further condensation of volatile constituents and separation from the aqueous phase by decantation. CAS numbers: 8000-29-1 ( 2 ) and 89998-15-2 ( 2 ) EINECS: 289-753-6 ( 2 ) FEMA number: 2308 ( 2 ) CoE number: 39 Specifications: Citronellal: 3-6 % Geraniol: 15-23 % Citronellol: 3-8,5 % Limonene: 7-11,5 % ( E )-Methyl isoeugenol: 7-15 % Methyleugenol: ≤ 1 % Analytical method ( 3 ) For the determination of citronellal (phytochemical marker) in the feed additive: — gas chromatography coupled with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID) (ISO 3849) Turkeys for fattening - - 24,0 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 the stability to heat treatment shall be indicated. 3. Simultaneous use of citronella essential oil with other feed additives is permitted provided that the combined content of p -allylalkoxybenzenes (methyleugenol, estragole, elemicin, safrole, myristicin, dillapiole, and apiole) in feed materials and compound feed remains below the content that would result from using the authorised feed additive with the highest content of those substances at its maximum or recommended maximum content for the relevant animal species or category. 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. 11 October 2036 Chickens for fattening and minor poultry for fattening - - 18,0 All poultry reared for laying or breeding - - 3,5 Ornamental birds - - 3,5 All poultry for laying or breeding - - 3,5 Pigs for fattening - - 20,0 Pigs for fattening of minor Suidae - - 20,0 Piglets (suckling and weaned) of all Suidae - - 3,5 All Suidae for reproduction - - 6,0 Calves for fattening 6 months - 20,0 Sheep and goats for fattening - - 20,0 Other sheep and goats - - 9,5 Cattle for fattening; other ruminants for fattening except sheep, goats and calves for fattening up to 6 months old; Camelidae for fattening - - 20,0 All other ruminants; all other Camelidae - - 6,0 Equidae - - 9,5 Leporidae for fattening - - 20,0 Other Leporidae - - 3,5 Salmonids and minor fin fish - - 30,0 Dogs - - 10,0 Cats - - 2,0 Other species and categories - - 2,0 ( 1 ) Natural sources of flavourings - Report No. 2 (2007). ( 2 ) Here it only refers to the essential oil from the leaves of Cymbopogon nardus (L.) Rendle. ( 3 ) 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 .
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