Here you can find the legislation on eggs in detail. If you would like information and guidance on what is contained in the legislation, please visit our main section on eggs.
Marketing eggs
EU legislation
Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 (OJ L 347, p. 671–854, 20.12.2013) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 establishing a common organisation of the markets in agricultural products.
Implementing rules
Commission Regulation (EC) No 589/2008 (OJ L 163, p6, 24.06.2008) of 23 June 2008 laying down detailed rules for implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 as regards marketing standards for eggs
Amended by
Commission Regulation (EC) No 598/2008 (OJ L 164, p14, 25.06.2008) of 24 June 2008
Commission Regulation (EU) No 557/2010 (OJ L 159, p13, 25.06.2010) of 24 June 2010 amending various regulations as regards the notification obligations within the common organisation of agricultural markets
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 342/2013 (OJ L 107, p4, 17.04.2013) of 16 April 2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 589/2008
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 458/2013 (OJ L 133, p17, 17.05.2013) of 16 May 2013 correcting Regulation (EC) No 589/2008
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1185 (OJ L 171, 4.7.2017, p. 113–130) of 20 April 2017 laying down rules for the application of Regulations (EU) No 1307/2013 and (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards notifications to the Commission of information and documents and amending and repealing several Commission Regulations
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/2168 (OJ L 306, p. 6–8, 22.11.2017) of 20 September 2017 amending Regulation (EC) No 589/2008 as regards marketing standards for free range eggs where hens' access to open-air runs is restricted
View the latest consolidated version of Regulation (EC) No 589/2008 (as at the 25 November 2017)
National legislation
European Communities (Marketing Standards for Eggs) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No 140 of 2009)
The S.I. does not apply to eggs sold directly by a producer to the final consumer provided that, if the producer has a flock of more than 50 hens, the eggs are marked with the producer code or, if the producer has a flock of up to 50 hens, the name and address of the producer are indicated at the point of sale.
See our factsheet for producers of small quantities of eggs
Welfare of hens and registration
EU legislation
Standards for protection of laying hens
Council Directive 1999/74/EC (OJ L 203, p53, 03.08.1999) of 19 July 1999 laying down minimum standards for the protection of laying hens
Amended by
Council Regulation (EC) No 806/2003 (OJ L 122, p1, 16.05.2003) of 14 April 2003
Regulation (EU) No 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 95, 07.04.2017, p. 1–142) of 15 March 2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules for animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products
View the latest consolidated version of Directive 99/74/EC (as at 14 September 2019)
Decision 2004/433/EC (OJ L 154, p44, 30.04.2002) of 29 April 2004
Registration of establishments
Commission Directive 2002/4/EC (OJ L 30, p44, 31.01.2002) of 30 January 2002 on the registration of establishments keeping laying hens, covered by Council Directive 1999/74/EC
Adapted by
Commission Directive 2006/83/EC (OJ L 362, p97, 20.12.2006) of 23 October 2006 adapting Directive 2002/4/EC on the registration of establishments keeping laying hens, covered by Council Directive 1999/74/EC, by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania
National legislation
European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations 2008 (S.I. No. 14 of 2008)
Council Directive No. 1999/74/EC and Commission Directive 2002/4/EC are tranposed into Irish legislation by S.I. No. 14 of 2008.