MOCA Certification: regulations, obligations and Aquatechnik solutions for food processing systems

Insights

In the food industry, safety is not just about ingredients and processing methods. The materials that come into contact with food and beverages—pipes, fittings, tanks, distribution systems—also play a crucial role.

These materials are classified as MOCA (Materials and Objects in Contact with Food) and by law, must comply with specific requirements in terms of suitability, hygiene and traceability. For designers and installers of plumbing and heating systems, this means making informed choices about the components to use and ensuring that food operators have the correct documentation.

What are MOCA and why are they essential?

The acronym MOCA refers to all materials and objects that come into direct or indirect contact with food during the stages of production, processing, distribution and consumption.

The following therefore belong to this category:

containers, packaging, films;
tools and equipment for processing and cooking;
distribution and storage systems (pipes, fittings, tanks, valves);
food processing machines.

The function of MOCA is to ensure that food maintains its organoleptic integrity and safety for consumers.

They must therefore be:

non-toxic, free from dangerous substances;
neutral, without altering the taste, color or smell of food;
resistant to pressure, temperature and specific operating conditions.

MOCA legislation in Europe: the reference model

Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004

This is the regulation that establishes the general principles: materials must not transfer substances to food in quantities that:

represent a health risk;
alter the composition and organoleptic characteristics.

Regulation (EC) No. 2023/2006

It establishes the obligation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), which apply to all stages of MOCA production throughout the supply chain.

Regulation (EC) No. 2025/351

Effective March 16, 2025 (with transition until September 2026), it introduces important updates:

greater traceability throughout the supply chain;
new rules on recycled plastics and non-intentionally added substances (NIAS);
labeling and document transparency requirements.

MOCA regulations in Italy: obligations and controls

M.D. of March 21, 1973

Historic decree regulating materials intended to come into contact with food (plastics, rubber, ceramics, glass, steel), including lists of permitted substances.

National Official Controls Plan

The Ministry of Health coordinates five-year control plans which include sampling, analysis, and inspections of operators. The 2023-2027 plan highlights the importance of risk assessment, with targeted controls on MOCA in plastic and steel.

MOCA Statement of Conformity

Every operator (manufacturer, importer, distributor) is required to draw up a Declaration of Conformity.

Please note: this is not a certification issued by a third party but a legal document issued by the manufacturer based on the results of laboratory tests carried out in accordance with current legislation.

There are voluntary certification schemes issued by third-party bodies that certify compliance with GMP, traceability and process quality.

However, the MOCA Declaration of Conformity is still required.

MOCA in the international context

USA: the regulatory equivalent is managed by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), which issues “Food Contact Notifications” for suitable materials.
Japan: national legislation has been in place since 2020, based on positive lists similar to those in the EU.
Emerging markets: in countries such as China and Brazil, regulations are inspired by European ones but with differences in migration limits and compliance testing.

For designers and installers working in multinational contexts, it is also essential to be aware of differences outside the EU. For more information, please contact our Technical Department: we will not only offer you the best system solutions for your project, but we will also help you manage the food safety of the system.

Aquatechnik MOCA solutions: pipes and fittings for food systems

Aquatechnik offers a range of MOCA polypropylene pipes and fittings, specifically designed for transporting hot and cold food fluids.

MOCA Aquatechnik products are designed for:

guarantee food safety;
preserve the organoleptic characteristics of fluids;
ensure durability and mechanical resistance even under high pressure and temperature conditions, complying with the requirements of ISO 15874 and ASTM F 2389 standards and passing the tests defined in the standards themselves.

Full MOCA-compliant Fusio-technik range

These are single-layer and multi-layer PP-R pipes and fittings made of non-toxic materials, free of harmful substances, and suitable for transporting food liquids, to ensure compliance with MOCA standards and hygienic safety.

Faser FIBER-T SDR 7.4, the high-performance multi-layer fiber-reinforced pipe with WOR (White Oxidation Resistance) technology.
Faser FIBER-COND SDR 11, for transporting drinking water at medium temperatures and pressures.
FIBER-LIGHT SDR 17.6. Range of PP-RCT WOR, PP-RF and PP-R 80 Super fiber-reinforced pipes for the distribution of drinking water at low temperatures and pressures.
FUSIO-TECHNIK SDR 6. The pipe that has revolutionized fluid distribution since the 1980s, made of PP-R 80 Super.
FUSIO-TECHNIK UVRES: high-performance multi-layer fiber-reinforced pipe with WOR (White Oxidation Resistance) technology and an added outer surface treatment to enable operation with direct exposure to atmospheric agents, maintaining a life expectancy of 50 years.
SUPERFLUX SDR 7.4. Range of 80 Super polypropylene pipes that redefine the concept of flow rate with reduced walls.
Fusio-technik fittings, PP-R 80 Super and PP-RCT fittings and sector fittings that are welded to pipes using polyfusion.

All products are accompanied by a MOCA Declaration of Conformity, which is required for system documentation.

Concrete advantages for designers and installers

Food safety guaranteed thanks to the MOCA Declaration of Conformity in accordance with EU/IT regulations.
Flexibility of choice: single-layer or fiber-reinforced products based on flow rate and operating conditions.
Long-term resistance: life expectancy determined experimentally and statistically evaluated at a minimum of 50 years under defined operating conditions.
Acoustic and mechanical safety: optimal performance even in the presence of overpressure and expansion.
Easy design and documentation: Aquatechnik catalogs provide technical data sheets, MOCA parameters and installation guidelines for proper documentation throughout the supply chain.

MOCA and system design: operational guidelines

MOCA compliance does not end with choosing the right material: it is an integral part of design and installation.

Some aspects to consider:

Preventive analysis of operating conditions

Working pressures, temperature cycles and types of food fluids must be evaluated from the design stage onwards. For example, systems for craft breweries or dairies have high-temperature washing cycles that require high-strength fiber-reinforced pipes.

Chemical and thermal compatibility

Although Aquatechnik products are MOCA certified, it is good practice to check that there are no risks associated with industrial detergents, steam or sanitization cycles.

Bracket design

A MOCA pipe must maintain mechanical stability over time. Well-distributed brackets prevent vibrations and contain or compensate for thermal expansion and micro-movements that could cause micro-fractures or contamination. Further information can be found in the Fusio-technik catalog.

Document management during the design phase

In addition to correctly sizing the systems, designers and installers must provide the MOCA Declaration of Conformity collection for each component in order to simplify any inspections

Controls and compliance: responsibility along the supply chain

Compliance with MOCA regulations is not a “formal” requirement but a genuine supply chain obligation.

Each player has a clearly defined role.

Manufacturer: draws up the Declaration of Conformity and guarantees the traceability of the materials used.
Distributor/installer: must keep the documentation and deliver it to the end customer, verifying that it is update.
User (food company): has the duty to archive and make the declarations available in case of inspections.

Official controls

The Ministry of Health, through ASL and NAS, carries out periodic sampling and checks. The main parameters concern:

global and specific migration of substances;
compliance with positive lists of permitted materials;
verification of documentation.

Best practices for installers and designers

Provide a technical file for each system, with product data sheets and MOCA declarations.
Update the files in the event of expansions or component replacements.
Actively collaborate with the food company’s quality department to provide reports and instructions for use.

With Aquatechnik, designers and installers can count on a partner that not only supplies pipes and fittings, but also provides the technical and documentary support necessary to comply with all regulatory requirements. Contact our Technical Department for expert guidance.

Why choose Aquatechnik for MOCA

MOCA certification—or rather, the Declaration of Compliance—is today an essential requirement for any food processing facility. With the evolution of European regulations (EU Reg. 2025/351) and increasingly stringent controls, designers need reliable partners.

Aquatechnik responds with MOCA-compliant Fusio-technik solutions, designed to guarantee hygiene, durability and safety.