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Keller and Heckman LLPPartner
Rachida Semail
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Rachida Semail

Not yet reviewed

Avenue Louise 523, Brussels 20001, Belgium + 1 location

Alcohol Beverage and Non-Beverage Alcohol Products, Animal and Veterinary Food and Drug, Biotechnology and 17 more

About Rachida Semail

Rachida Semail counsels clients on the regulatory status of food packaging and food-related matters in the European Union (EU), Member States, and jurisdictions around the globe.

Rachida helps clients navigate the complexities of establishing a suitable EU status for food packaging articles and materials, including helping them apply the principle of mutual recognition to enable the free movement of non-harmonized food-contact materials throughout Europe. She also advises clients on EU requirements for biocides, active and intelligent packaging, packaging waste, and single-use plastics and recycling matters. In addition, Rachida assists clients with respect to materials intended for contact with drinking water and packaging issues related to cosmetics, drugs, and medical devices.

Rachida regularly advises multinational clients active in the Gulf region, including the UAE, on aligning with EU standards and navigating the regulatory landscape for exporting compliant food-contact materials and products to the EU. A significant part of her work involves petitioning the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and engaging Member State authorities, such as the German BfR and the Dutch authorities.

In the area of food law, Rachida advises clients on labeling and advertising compliance, substantiation of claims, product recalls, borderline products, novel foods, and other matters. Rachida has extensive knowledge on the textiles and machinery directives, as well as on tobacco products.

Prior to joining Keller and Heckman, Rachida practiced regulatory law at a French law firm specializing in EU and French food law, which allowed her to gain experience on enforcement of EU and French law. During her doctorate studies, she completed an internship with the legal service of the European Commission in Brussels, where she gained a first-hand perspective of policymaking and the legislative process.

Awards

•Chambers Europe: Regulatory: Agro/Food, Spotlight Recipient - Europe-Wide, 2022 - 2026
•Legal 500 Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA): EU Regulatory: Food, Leading Partner, 2026

Insights & In the News

MOAH in Food: New October Statement Poses Broader Issues for Operators in the Food and Fo...

10.13.2022
Publication

The EU’s Plastics Regulation: What You Should Know

04.01.2022
Publication

Printing Inks in Europe - Caught in a Time Warp

08.05.2019

Keller and Heckman Secures Multiple Rankings in 2026 Edition of Legal 500 EMEA Guide

Press Release
03.25.2026

Events

Partner Rachida Semail to Present at New Regulations on EU Plastic Packaging & Recycling

Speaking Engagement

05.04.2026

What You Need to Know About Petitioning for Substances Intended for Contact with Drinking Water

Webinar

05.21.2026

 

Rachida Semail (Brussels, ) View website

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Services

Areas of Law

  • Technology and Science 1
    • Biotechnology
  • Other 19
    • Alcohol Beverage and Non-Beverage Alcohol Products
    • Animal and Veterinary Food and Drug
    • Cosmetics
    • Food and Drug
    • Food and Drug Packaging
    • Food and Food Ingredients
    • International Regulatory Affairs
    • Medical Devices
    • Nanotechnology
    • Pharmaceuticals
    • Product Safety
    • Sustainability and Product Stewardship
    • Tobacco and E-Vapor
    • Chemicals and Plastics
    • Consumer Products and Retail
    • Digital Media, Technology, and Telecommunications
    • Food & Life Sciences
    • Packaging
    • Trade Associations

Practice Details

  • Languages
    French
    English
    Arabic
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Partner
    Firm Name
    Keller and Heckman LLP
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Representative Matters: Advised clients on developing new, innovative,
    more sustainable products to replace single-use plastics in compliance with the evolving EU regulatory framework
    Provided guidance on the impact of the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) on their businesses
    Determined the regulatory status of innovative products, including nanomaterials,
    advised on the appropriate path for lawful marketing
    Strategized the compliance approach in non-harmonized sectors
    obtained clearances where needed for new food contact substances before national agencies, such as the German Bundesinstitut fur Risikobewertung (BfR)
    the Dutch G4 Commission
    Prepared petitions for food contact substances to EFSA, including active materials
    recycling processes
    Advised on regulatory aspects of chemical recycling
    other novel recycling technologies
    Assisted clients in the compilation of information needed to support the compliance of the packaging used for cosmetics to be included in the product information file
    Reviewed supplier agreements for packaging materials intended for use in medicinal products
    Advised on compliance with the European Pharmacopoeia monographs
    Advised on the implications on clients' businesses with the rules laid down by the Medical Devices Regulation
    Advised business operators on reporting obligations to enforcement authorities or downstream users, in the event of compliance issues, such as migration limits being exceeded
    Advised clients, including trade associations, notably in the context of the reevaluation of the food contact legislation
    Advised clients on the applicable requirements on food processing aids around the world
    in obtaining the regulatory clearances where required
  • Additional Links
    https://www.khlaw.com/people/rachida-semail

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1994, Paris
    Brussels Bar (E-List)
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Université des Sciences Sociales de Toulouse
    Class of 1992
    J.D.

Contact Rachida Semail

Partner at Keller and Heckman LLP
Not yet reviewed

Avenue Louise 523Brussels 20001Belgium

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1001 G Street NW, Suite 500 WestWashington, DC 20001U.S.A.

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Washington, DC

1001 G Street NW, Suite 500 WestWashington, DC 20001U.S.A.

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Attorneys FAQs

  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Keller and Heckman LLP has 80 attorneys at this location.
  • Does this attorney maintain a practice in more than one location?
    Yes, Rachida Semail has a presence in Washington, DC.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Rachida Semail attended Université des Sciences Sociales de Toulouse.
  • What year was this attorney's law firm established?
    Keller and Heckman LLP was established in 1962.

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