A new CEN Workshop is being established to develop recommendations for self-assessment in relation to food fraud. The Workshop stems from work being done in EFF-CoP – a European project designed to combat food fraud and improve supply chain transparency across Europe.
Food fraud is a serious problem in the agri-food business. Due to its highly integrated single market, European companies are especially susceptible, with effects being felt both in terms of economics and public health. Instances of food fraud include substitution, dilution, mislabelling, counterfeiting, and concealment – all of which demonstrate intentional deception for economic gain. Larger companies and organisations often have systems in place to minimise the instances and impact of food fraud occurring. But this is not always the case for SMEs who are more vulnerable for food fraud and the associated risks.
European Food Fraud Community of Practice (EFF-CoP) is a European project supported by a diverse group of stakeholders, including scientists, regulators, large and small industry, and members of the organic sector. Together, their aim is to revolutionise the fight against food fraud and to ensure better transparency in the food supply chains. The work of the EFF-CoP has prompted the proposal for a CEN Workshop in this area. Such a workshop has the opportunity to make a positive addition to the standardisation landscape in the area of food authenticity.
This CEN Workshop will produce a CWA containing guidelines for SMEs about food fraud. The CWA is envisaged to be a Good Practice Recommendation which will help companies assess their own vulnerability and enable them to identify what measures could be taken to reduce risks. This new standardisation work will be complementary to the activities of CEN/TC 460 “Food authenticity” and standards such as EN 17972. It is foreseen to be a useful tool for food producers, connecting them with the research around food fraud and thereby contributing to the strengthening and transparency of our food system.
The kick-off meeting for the Workshop is planned to take place remotely on 9 December 2026 from 3.00 pm. to 5.00 pm (CEST) (details in agenda document below).
All interested parties are invited to submit comments on the draft Project Plan using the commenting form below, to the Workshop secretary Johanne Irene Knutsen (SN) (jkn@standard.no) by November 28th, 2026.
For more technical details, please refer to the draft Project Plan, which contains all relevant information. Comments or observations can be submitted via the dedicated commenting form below.
Download the documents:
- Workshop description and draft Project Plan
- Agenda of the kick-off meeting
- Registration form to the kick-off meeting
- Commenting form
