Notifications for European Union (1104 notifications)

Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 lays down rules concerning the temporary increase of official controls upon entry into the Union on certain food and feed of non-animal origin from certain third countries (in Annex I); special import conditions for certain food and feed from certain third countries due to the contamination risk by mycotoxins, including aflatoxins, pesticide residues, pentachlorophenol and dioxins and microbiological contamination (in Annex II - increased official border controls and official certificate accompanied by the results of sampling and analysis in the third country). This Implementing Regulation amends Annexes I and II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1793 by introducing the following changes:1.         Modification of measures/new measures:Inclusion in Annex I of seem bean, helmet bean (Lablab purpureus) from Bangladesh, vine leaves from Egypt, yardlong beans (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis, Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata) from Sri Lanka, granadilla and passion fruit (Passiflora ligularis and Passiflora edulis) from Thailand and durian (Durio zibethius) from Viet Nam due to risk of contamination by pesticide residues;Delisting from Annex I (and thus, from the Regulation) of mint (Mentha) from Israel, food supplements containing botanicals from South Korea and pepper of the genus Capsicum (other than sweet) from Uganda;Increase in the frequency of identity and physical checks laid down in Annex I for yardlong beans (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis Vigna unguiculata ssp. unguiculata) from India (pesticide residues – 30%), black eyed beans (Vigna unguiculata) from Madagascar (pesticide residues – 30%), rice from Pakistan (pesticide residues – 10%) and cumin seeds from Türkiye (pyrrolizidine alkaloids – 30%);Decrease in the frequency of identity and physical checks laid down in Annex I guar gum from India (pentachlorophenol and dioxins – 30%) and instant noodles containing spices/seasonings or sauces from South Korea;Increase in the frequency of identity and physical checks laid down in Annex II for peppers of the genus Capsicum (other than sweet) from India (pesticide residues – 30%) and sesamum seeds from India (Salmonella – 30%);Decrease in the frequency of identity and physical checks laid down in Annex II sesamum seeds from India (ethylene oxide – 30%);Delisting point 2 from Annex II (and thus, from the Regulation) of consignments of food and feed consisting of two or more ingredients, containing any of the food listed in point 1 to Annex II.

This Regulation updates the methods of sampling and the performance criteria for methods of analysis to be used in the European Union by authorities for official control of mycotoxins in food.

Review of maximum levels for deoxynivalenol in cereals and cereal products intended for human consumption.

Lowering of the maximum levels for the sum of 3-monochlorpropanediol (3-MCPD) and 3-MCPD fatty acid esters in infant formulae, follow-on formulae and food for special medical purposes intended for infants and young children and young child formulae.

This Regulation establishes the methods of sampling and the performance criteria for methods of analysis to be used in the European Union by authorities for official control of plant toxins in food.

Establishment of maximum levels for the sum of T-2 and HT-2 toxin in cereals and cereal products intended for human consumption.

This draft Commission Implementing Regulation provides that the approval of the active substance dimethomorph is not renewed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. EU Member States shall withdraw authorisations for plant protection products containing dimethomorph as an active substance. The non-renewal of approval is based on the first evaluation of the substance for use as a pesticide active substance in the EU under Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. The substance was formerly assessed and approved under Directive 91/414/ EEC.This decision only concerns the placing on the market of this substance and plant protection products containing it. Following non-approval and the expiry of all grace periods for stocks of products containing this substance, separate action may be taken on MRLs and a separate notification will be made in accordance with SPS procedures.This draft Commission Implementing Regulation was also notified under the TBT Agreement in notice G/TBT/N/EU/1038.

This draft Commission Implementing Regulation provides that the approval of the active substance mepanipyrim is not renewed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. EU member States shall withdraw authorizations for plant protection products containing mepanipyrim as an active substance. The non-renewal of approval is based on the first evaluation of the substance for use as a pesticide active substance in the EU under Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009. The substance was formerly assessed and approved under Directive 91/414/ EEC. This decision only concerns the placing on the market of this substance and plant protection products containing it. Following non-approval and the expiry of all grace periods for stocks of products containing this substance, separate action may be taken on MRLs and a separate notification will be made in accordance with SPS procedures.This draft Commission Implementing Regulation was also notified under the TBT Agreement in notice G/TBT/N/EU/1040.

The Regulation amends notes for the completion of model certificates for the entry into the Union of animals, products of animal origin, composite products, germinal products, animal by-products, sprouts for human consumption and seeds intended for the production of sprouts for human consumption and model certificates for the entry into the Union of consignments of certain animals and goods intended for human consumption to, i.e.: reflect new Union animal health requirements introduced to Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/692 by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/119; update references to new Union legislation regarding residues and public health requirements for the entry into the Union of products of animal origin and goods for human consumption, simplify and harmonise certain descriptive elements relating to the establishments from which consignments are dispatched or in which they are obtained or prepared; align and clarify BSE attestations; and clarify and make consistent the wording of certain requirements, notes and footnotes.

The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/EU/631 (18 April 2023) is now adopted by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2652 of 15 September 2023 amending and correcting Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/2292 with regard to requirements for the entry into the Union of honey, meat, highly refined products, gelatine capsules, fishery products and requirements for private attestation and amending Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/630 as regards private attestation requirements for composite products exempted from official controls at border control posts (text with EEA relevance).The Regulation applies from 18 December 2023.

The draft Delegated Regulation amends the Annexes to Directive 2002/32/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on undesirable substances taking into account the experience in implementation of the Directive and the outcome of scientific opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).The changes in the Annexes to the Directive relate to:the establishment of maximum levels for nickel, Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) and p-phenetidine;certain maximum levels for arsenic, cadmium, lead, rye ergot, endosulfan, heptachlor, hexachlorobenzene, hexachlorocyclohexane, dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs, Datura seeds;the section on authorised feed additives in feed for non-target animal species following unavoidable carry-over following changes in the conditions of authorisation of certain feed additives;certain action levels for dioxins and PCBs.

The draft act concerns the authorisation as “flavouring compounds” of two essential oils from the plant Cinnamomum verum J. Presl within the scope of the EU legislation on feed additives, i.e., Regulation (EC) No. 1831/2003. The measure aims at authorising those additives for certain animal species: animal species for fattening except Equidae, salmonids and fin fish except brood stock, piglets and piglets of minor Suidae. For the rest of species and categories of animals the additives are withdrawn from the market subject to certain transitional periods.It is proposed to provide transitional periods for the different types of feeds and for the different species and categories of animals. For those species and categories of animals for which the additives are authorised: 6 months for existing stocks of the additives and premixtures containing the additives and 12 months for stocks of compound feed produced with the additives. For those species and categories of animals for which the additives are withdrawn the transitional periods are: 12 months for stocks of the additives, 15 months for the stocks of the premixtures containing the additives and 24 months for the stocks of the compound feed produced with the additives.

The proposed draft Regulation concerns the review of existing MRLs for cypermethrins in certain food commodities. MRLs for these substances in certain commodities are lowered. Lower MRLs are set after deleting old uses which are not authorised any more in the European Union.

The proposed draft Regulation concerns the update of existing MRLs for 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, difluoroacetic acid (DFA), fluopyram and flupyradifurone in certain food commodities. MRLs for these substances in certain commodities are lowered or raised. For 1,4-dimethylnaphthalene, MRLs were revised following the evaluation and/or the lack of confirmatory data.

The draft act concerns the authorisation as a “flavouring compound” of one essential oil from the plant Cinnamomum aromaticum Nees within the scope of the EU legislation on feed additives, i.e. Regulation (EC) No. 1831/2003. The measure aims at authorising that additive for certain animal species: animal species for fattening except Equidae, salmonids and fin fish except brood stock, piglets and piglets of minor Suidae. For the rest of species and categories of animals the additive is withdrawn from the market subject to certain transitional periods.It is proposed to provide transitional periods for the different types of feeds and for the different species and categories of animals. For those species and categories of animals for which the additive is authorised: 6 months for existing stocks of the additive and premixtures containing the additive and 12 months for stocks of compound feed produced with the additive. For those species and categories of animals for which the additive is withdrawn the transitional periods are: 12 months for stocks of the additive, 15 months for the stocks of the premixtures containing the additive and 24 months for the stocks of the compound feed produced with the additive.

The proposed draft Regulation concerns the update of existing MRLs for fosetyl-Al, potassium phosphonates and disodium phosphonates in certain food commodities. MRLs for these substances in certain commodities are lowered or raised. Lower MRLs are set after deleting old uses which are not authorised any more in the European Union or for which a human health concern may not be excluded.

The proposed draft Regulation concerns the update of existing MRLs for benomyl, carbendazim and thiophanate‐methyl in certain food commodities. MRLs for these substances in certain commodities are changed. Lower MRLs are set after deleting old uses which are not authorised any more in the European Union or for which a human health concern may not be excluded.

The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/EU/605 (8 December 2022) is now adopted by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/905 of 27 February 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2019/6 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the application of the prohibition of use of certain antimicrobial medicinal products in animals or products of animal origin exported from third countries into the Union (Text with EEA relevance) [OJ L 116, 4 May 2023, p. 1].This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. The conditions for entry into the Union of consignments of animals or products set out in this delegated act shall apply as from 24 months after the date of application of the implementing act referred to in Article 6(1).

The proposed draft Regulation concerns the update of existing MRLs for deltamethrin, metalaxyl, thiabendazole and trifloxystrobin in certain food products following the evaluation and/or the lack of confirmatory data.

The Commission proposal consists of the targeted amendments of the plant health Regulation: (i) clarification concerning the measures against pests which are provisionally qualifying as quarantine pests but have not been fully assessed yet, (ii) amendment of the requirements regarding the declarations on the phytosanitary certificate for regulated non-quarantine pests (RNQPs), (iii) the reporting of non-compliances with the RNQP rules in the electronic notification system (Information Management System for Official Controls – IMSOC), (iv) the introduction of an empowerment for a Commission act to adopt with autonomous acts, temporary derogations from import prohibitions and special import requirements and temporary special import requirements for commodities that have been removed from the list of high-risk plants, plant products and other objects but for which the pest risk has not been fully assessed, (v) The introduction of an empowerment for a Commission act to adopt procedural rules for the submission and examination of third countries’ requests for temporary derogations from import prohibitions or from import requirements, (vi) the introduction of an empowerment for a Delegated act to adopt procedures for identifying and listing of high-risk plants, (vii) the clarification of the legal basis for setting out requirements for third countries’ equivalence, in order to refer not only to internal movement, requirements but also to existing import requirements, (viii) the introduction of an empowerment for a Commission act, to rationalise the obligation to attach a plant passport to certain plants, (ix) the alignment of the possibility to accept alternative official attestations issued by third countries with the international state of play, (x) rationalisation of certain reporting obligations