Black powder on a white surface

Activated charcoal powder in bulk: specifications, EU rules and private label

Short answer: GOA Supply sells activated charcoal as a very fine, black, odourless powder in 10, 50 or 100 kg, for wholesale and private label. In the EU, activated charcoal of vegetable origin that meets the E 153 specification is not a novel food in food supplements. Before you buy, ask for the source material, the specification and a certificate of analysis (CoA), and check them against the use you have in mind: food supplement, food colour or cosmetic raw material.

What is activated charcoal?

Activated charcoal is carbon that has been processed ("activated") to give it a highly porous structure with a very large internal surface area. It is made from carbon-rich source materials, and the source material matters for the rules: the EU status for food supplements refers to activated charcoal of vegetable origin. GOA Supply supplies activated charcoal as a very fine, black, odourless powder. The source material and the full specification of each batch are available on request.

Three names are used in the market. "Activated charcoal" and "activated carbon" describe the material. "Vegetable carbon" is the name of the food colour E 153. In cosmetics, the ingredient is listed under the INCI name CHARCOAL POWDER. Use the name that fits your application and your label.

Activated charcoal powder in bulk: key facts

Item Activated charcoal powder
Product Activated charcoal
Form Very fine, black, odourless powder
Source material and specification On request, per batch
HS code 380210
Order quantities 10, 50 or 100 kg; smaller quantities on request
Documents Specification and certificate of analysis (CoA) on request
Typical business use Food supplement brands that fill their own capsules; webshops and pharmacies that sell it under their own label; cosmetic manufacturers as a raw material, after checking the specification

What to check when you buy activated charcoal wholesale

  • Source material. Ask what the charcoal is made from and confirm that it is of vegetable origin if you plan to use it in food supplements.
  • The E 153 specification. The EU food supplement status applies to activated charcoal that meets the same specification as the food colour E 153 in Regulation (EU) No 231/2012. Ask your supplier to confirm this for each batch and keep the confirmation in your product file.
  • A CoA per batch. Match the batch number with the delivery and check the results against the specification, including contaminants such as heavy metals.
  • Dust control. A very fine black powder spreads easily and stains. Plan extraction, closed transfer and cleaning on your capsule filling or blending line, and protect other products from cross-contamination.
  • Capsule size and fill weight. Agree with your capsule filler which capsule size gives the fill weight you want on the label, and test a pilot run before you order your full quantity.
  • Storage. Keep the powder in closed packaging in a dry place and reseal opened bags well.
  • Customs code. The raw material is classified as activated carbon under HS code 380210, which is relevant for import documents and duties outside the EU.

EU rules for activated charcoal

Food supplements. The EU Novel Food Catalogue lists activated charcoal of vegetable origin that meets the E 153 specification of Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as not novel in food supplements (checked on 10 November 2026). That status covers food supplements only; other food uses may be considered novel. In France, Compl'Alim lists vegetable charcoal (charbon végétal, also called charbon actif) as an authorised ingredient for food supplements.

Food colour. As a colour, vegetable carbon is the food additive E 153 under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. It may only be used in the food categories and under the conditions listed there, and the product must meet the E 153 specification.

Cosmetics. In cosmetic products, Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 applies. The responsible person for the cosmetic product needs a safety assessment and a product information file, and notifies the product in the EU Cosmetic Products Notification Portal (CPNP) before sale. Ask us for the specification so your safety assessor can evaluate the grade.

Claims. For food supplements, any claim must comply with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006; only claims from the EU Register may be used, under their conditions of use. As the brand owner you are responsible for every statement on your label and website.

Private label activated charcoal: what GOA Supply delivers and what you arrange

GOA Supply delivers the powder in bulk for your own packaging and label, or for your own capsule filling. You arrange the packaging, the label, any claims and the notifications. For food supplements that means no notification in the Netherlands, a notification via FOODSUP in Belgium, a declaration in Compl'Alim in France and a notification to the BVL in Germany. Our guide on starting a private label supplement brand in the EU explains the label rules for food supplements step by step.

Ordering activated charcoal in bulk

Activated charcoal powder comes in 10, 50 or 100 kg, and smaller quantities are possible on request. Prices exclude VAT and shipping, we can arrange transport, and orders are usually shipped within 1–2 weeks. The specification, the source material and the CoA are available on request. See more natural powders, read how private label works or check the terms on our wholesale page.

FAQ

Is activated charcoal a novel food?
Not in food supplements, provided it is of vegetable origin and meets the E 153 specification of Regulation (EU) No 231/2012. Other food uses may be considered novel.

What is the difference between activated charcoal and E 153?
E 153 (vegetable carbon) is the food colour authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008. Activated charcoal used in food supplements must meet the same specification as E 153 to fall under the not-novel status.

Can I use activated charcoal powder in cosmetics?
Activated charcoal is used as a cosmetic raw material under the INCI name CHARCOAL POWDER. Your safety assessor decides whether a grade suits your product, so ask us for the specification first.

Which HS code applies to activated charcoal powder?
HS code 380210, activated carbon.

What should I ask for before the first order?
The source material, the specification with confirmation of the E 153 specification, and a CoA for the batch you will receive.

Sources

Written by Florian Fermin, co-owner of GOA Supply.

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