The animal based materials used by the industry are those parts that are surplus to human consumption or which are not normally consumed by people in the UK. The materials are from animals inspected and passed as fit for human consumption, and meet the very high safety and quality criteria as laid down in the EU Animal By-Products Regulations 2002, which are implemented in England through the Animal By-Products Regulations 2005. The legislation also requires that the materials used can be fully traced to source to ensure all materials come from registered plants. This principle is further enhanced by the Animal By-Products Code of Practice. 

This Code was developed by the PFMA, The British Poultry Council, The British Meat Manufacturers' Association ^*, The British Meat Federation^*, The UK Renderers' Association and The Food Standards Agency. It sets out further good practice principles to enhance the requirements of the Animal By-Products Regulations.