Hazel O'Keeffe

Hazel O'Keeffe counsels clients on the regulation of food contact materials, notably in the European Union (EU), Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, focusing on establishing a suitable status for all types of food contact materials at both the EU and national level. Hazel helps clients navigate the complexities of applying the principle of mutual recognition to facilitate the free movement of non-harmonized products throughout the EU, the European Economic Area (EEA), and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries.

Hazel also has a strong sustainability/environmental practice focusing on packaging waste, extended producer responsibility schemes, single-use plastics, plastic taxes, biocides, the substantiation of green claims, recycling, fluorinated greenhouse gases, and ozone-depleting substances.

She also advises on inter alia, materials in contact with drinking water, personal protective equipment, medicinal products/European Pharmacopoeia, medical devices, cosmetics, and horizontal issues such as product safety and liability.

She completed an internship at the European Commission, during which she focused on relations with the European Parliament and gained first-hand experience of the workings of the EU institutions.

Hazel is a contributing author to packaginglaw.com, as well as related industry publications, and is frequently invited to speak at international conferences.