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DateTuesday 8 December 2026

Time16:00 – 18:00

LocationVienna, Austria

Price€349 + VATMembers receive a discount - contact us for further information.

Please note: A main P&P conference ticket must be purchased alongside a workshop ticket.

Workshop Focus

Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) release of its Proposed Rule on Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) Substances on 10 August 2026, it is more important than ever for companies and stakeholders to understand the process for submitting GRAS Notifications and Food Contact Notifications (FCNs) to the Agency.

This workshop will provide an overview of the purpose of both types of submissions; when and how they are best utilized from a strategic and regulatory compliance standpoint; the contents and data requirements for both submissions; and the mechanics of communicating with FDA before, during, and after the review process.

Why Should You Attend?

FDA’s Proposed Rule on GRAS Substances of 10 August 2026 states that FDA plans to implement a mandatory notification system for GRAS substances that will be both retroactive and proactive in nature. New GRAS submissions will, therefore, require a thorough understanding of the GRAS submission process.

For food-contact substances in particular, the Food Contact Notification Program provides an FDA-encouraged approach that offers additional competitive benefits for the notifier that a GRAS Notice does not.

Who Should Attend?

This workshop is specially designed for anyone who is responsible for the implementation, oversight, management, or compliance obligations for FDA-regulated food-contact materials. The material will be presented at a level suitable for newcomers and well-seasoned professionals alike, in an easy-to-understand and interactive format.

Individuals with backgrounds in product stewardship, legal and regulatory compliance, and even sales and marketing will benefit from a basic understanding of FDA notification processes and how best to communicate with the Agency.

What Will You Learn?

Attendees will become familiar with the basic contours of GRAS and FCN submissions to FDA; how and when they are best utilized from a compliance standpoint; and the basic information and processes that are needed to support the submissions.

Presented By

Danny Rubenstein

Partner

Steptoe LLP — Washington, D.C.

Danny Rubenstein provides strategic counseling to industry regarding regulatory compliance requirements for food packaging materials and food ingredients across the globe.

With a technical background in Industrial Engineering, Danny recognizes the importance of providing clients with timely and actionable advice regarding critical regulatory decisions that drive product innovation, marketing, and promotion. Danny leverages this experience to assist companies in proactively establishing compliance for products under the laws and regulations administered by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Union (EU) and jurisdictions throughout Asia and South America.

Joe Dages

Partner

Steptoe LLP — Washington, D.C.

Joe Dages is a lawyer serving companies in the food-contact material, chemical, food, dietary supplement, cosmetic, and drug industries. He has considerable experience with products that are designed for sustainability, and regularly provides counsel on emerging state or local requirements, such as anti-greenwashing laws, chemical right-to-know laws, bans, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.

Prior to and during law school, Joe worked in government relations and international affairs for a leading trade association representing the food, beverage, and consumer product industry.