Marjoram essential oil authorized in EU feed: what manufacturers and livestock farmers must do

Key data

Feed manufacturers and additive producers in the European Union have had a new tool available since 24 September 2026: marjoram essential oil obtained from Origanum majorana L. is formally authorized as a sensory additive in feed for all animal species, according to the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2110.

Authorization is neither automatic nor unrestricted: its use is conditional on compliance with the maximum doses and labeling requirements set by the regulation, and requires operators to update their technical documentation and notifications to the competent national authorities.

What does this regulation establish?

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2110 gives official approval to marjoram essential oil as a sensory category additive in feed. This category includes ingredients that influence the organoleptic characteristics of animal feed (aroma, flavor, appearance), differing from nutritional or zootechnical additives.

The key points established by the regulation are:

• Authorized substance: Marjoram essential oil obtained exclusively from Origanum majorana L.
• Scope of application: Feed intended for all animal species, with no species-specific restrictions.
• Conditions of use: Specific dosages and labeling set by the Commission that manufacturers must comply with in their formulations.
• Scientific basis: Favorable opinion from the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) on the safety of the compound for animals, consumers and the environment.
• Administrative obligations: Operators must update their records and notifications to the competent national authorities of each Member State.

EFSA approval is the scientific backing that supports the authorization. This body evaluated the safety of marjoram essential oil in three dimensions: its safety for animals that consume it, the absence of risks for consumers of animal products, and its compatibility with the environment.

Economic and operational impact

The authorization opens a concrete commercial opportunity for two segments of the value chain:

• Additive producers: Can market marjoram essential oil as an authorized additive for feed throughout the EU, accessing a market previously closed for this ingredient in this specific use.
• Compound feed manufacturers: Can incorporate this sensory additive in their formulations for any species, expanding their ingredient catalog and responding to demand for more natural solutions in animal nutrition.

The operational cost of adaptation falls mainly on three areas:

• Product reformulation: Review and update of technical sheets for feed incorporating the additive, adjusting doses to authorized limits.
• Labeling: Modification of labels to reflect the presence of the additive in accordance with the specific requirements of the regulation.
• Administrative management: Update of records and notifications to the competent national authorities, which involves management time and possible administrative fees depending on each Member State.

The regulation does not specify fee amounts or penalties for non-compliance in the available text, so the direct economic impact will depend on the production scale of each operator and the administrative requirements of each country.

Who does it affect?

• Compound feed manufacturers who wish to incorporate marjoram essential oil in their formulations.
• Producers and distributors of feed additives who market or intend to market this essential oil as an authorized additive.
• Livestock farmers who produce their own feed on farm and wish to use this additive.
• Quality and regulatory managers of companies in the animal nutrition sector who must update technical documentation and product records.
• Technical advisors and veterinarians who advise livestock farms or feed manufacturers on ration composition.

Practical example

A compound feed manufacturer for poultry that wishes to launch a new line of "natural" feed for broiler chickens can now include marjoram essential oil (Origanum majorana L.) as a sensory additive in its formulation, something that was not formally authorized before this regulation.

To do so legally, this manufacturer must:

1. Verify that the dose used in the formulation complies with the specific limits set by Regulation (EU) 2026/2110.
2. Update the feed label to declare the presence of the additive in accordance with the labeling requirements of the regulation.
3. Update its record of additives used and notify it to the competent national authority (in Spain, the MAPA or the corresponding regional body).
4. Keep updated technical documentation for any potential inspection.

The same process applies to a feed producer for pigs, ruminants, aquaculture or any other species, given that the authorization covers all animal species without exception.

What should companies do now?

1. Review the full text of Regulation (EU) 2026/2110 to identify the maximum authorized doses and the exact labeling requirements applicable to each type of feed and species.
2. Evaluate whether current or in-development formulations can benefit from the incorporation of this additive, and whether the intended doses comply with the established limits.
3. Update technical documentation of affected products: technical sheets, product specifications and internal formulation records.
4. Modify labeling of feed incorporating marjoram essential oil to reflect its presence in accordance with regulation requirements.
5. Notify competent national authorities of the update to records of additives used, following the specific procedures of each Member State.
6. Train the quality and production team on the new requirements to ensure compliance from the first batch manufactured with the new additive.

Official source

Consult full regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202602110