Notifications for European Union (1104 notifications)

The proposed draft Regulation concerns the review of existing MRLs for mercury compounds in certain food commodities to reflect the current environmental occurrence. The MRLs are set on a temporary basis in accordance with Article 16(1) of Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.

The regulatory measure authorises the commercialisation of the substance as feed additive in the category of "nutritional additives" subsequent to the evaluation by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) in accordance with Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC)1831/2003. Appropriate protective measures are recommended as they have been considered as irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory tract.

These notified annexes to the draft Regulation set proposed maximum residue levels for fenpropidin and pymetrozin in or on certain products in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. MRLs for these substances in certain commodities are lowered. Lower MRLs are set after updating the limit of determination and/or deleting old uses which are not authorized any more in the European Union or for which there is not enough data for an MRL to be set.

The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/EU/177 (20 December 2016) is now adopted as Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/378 of 3 March 2017 amending Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards certain flavouring substances (Text with EEA relevance) [OJ L 57, 4 March 2017, pp. 14]. This Regulation applies from 24 March 2017. http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1465_00_e.pdf http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1465_00_f.pdf http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1465_00_s.pdf

The proposed draft Regulation is a new legislative act which updates the list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern in implementation of the Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the prevention and management of the introduction and spread of invasive alien species. The list was established by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 2016/1141 and the proposed draft Regulation adds further species to it.

The proposed measure removes calcium sorbate (E 203) from the Union list of authorised food additives in Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008, since due to the absence of appropriate genotoxicity data it is not possible to assess the risk posed by the use of this substance as a food additive to human health. Therefore, the inclusion of this substance in the Union list of authorised food additives can no longer be justified. Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 (authorised uses and use levels for food additive) and the Annex to Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 (specifications for food additives) are amended accordingly.

The regulatory measure authorises the commercialisation of the substance as feed additive in the category of "sensory additives" subsequent to its re-evaluation by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) according to Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC)1831/2003. Appropriate protective measures are recommended as it has been considered as irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory tract.

The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/EU/161 (5 April 2016) is now adopted as COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2017/170 of 30 January 2017 amending Annexes II, III and V to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for bifenthrin, carbetamide, cinidon-ethyl, fenpropimorph and triflusulfuron in or on certain products (Text with EEA relevance) [OJ L 30, 3 February 2017, pp. 1]. This Regulation shall apply from 23 February 2017. http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1068_00_e.pdf http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1068_00_f.pdf http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1068_00_s.pdf

The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/EU/160 (5 April 2016) was adopted as Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/1785 of 7 October 2016 amending Annexes II and III to Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards maximum residue levels for cymoxanil, phosphane and phosphide salts and sodium 5-nitroguaiacolate, sodium o-nitrophenolate and sodium p-nitrophenolate in or on certain products (Text with EEA relevance) [OJ L 273, 8 October 2016, pp. 10]. This Regulation applies since 28 October 2016. http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1067_00_e.pdf http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1067_00_f.pdf http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1067_00_s.pdf

This regulatory measure authorises the commercialisation of the above substance as feed additive in the category of "technological additives" subsequent to the evaluation of the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) ex Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC)1831/2003. There are no specific post-marketing requirements.

The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/EU/37 (6 February 2013) is now amended by Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/198 of 2 February 2017 as regards measures to prevent the introduction into and the spread within the Union of Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae Takikawa, Serizawa, Ichikawa, Tsuyumu & Goto [OJ L 31, 4 February 2017, pp. 29-34]. The Decision entered into force on 2 February 2017. This new Decision extends the measures notified in 2013 until 31 March 2020; in addition, some changes are introduced in provisions applicable to kiwi plants originating in pest free places or pest free sites of production. http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1041_00_e.pdf http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1041_00_f.pdf http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_1041_00_s.pdf

The draft Regulation establishes a maximum level of 20 mg/kg for hydrocyanic acid in unprocessed whole, ground, milled, cracked, chopped apricot kernels placed on the market for the final consumer.

This regulatory measure authorises the commercialisation of tannic acid as feed additive in the category of "sensory additives" subsequent to the re-evaluation by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) according to Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC)1831/2003. Appropriate protective measures are recommended as it has been considered as irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory tract.

This text introduces amendments to the Annexes of the EU Plant Health Directive (Council Directive 2000/29/EC) listing the EU regulated harmful organisms (quarantine plant pests) as well as to the Annexes laying down provisions for the introduction into, and movement within, the Union of plants, plant products and other objects. Import requirements for plants or plant products of the following plant orders/families/genera/species are introduced or are amended: Amelanchier Medik.; Aronia Medik.; Begonia L.; Capsicum (L.); Choisya Kunth; Citrus L.; Cotoneaster Medik.; Crataegus L.; Cydonia Mill.; Dipladenia A.DC.; Ficus L.; Fortunella Swingle; Hibiscus L.; Mandevilla Lindl.; Malus Mill; Microcitrus Swingle; Murraya J.Koenig ex L.; Naringi Adans.; Nerium oleander L.; Pinus L.; Platanus L.; Poncirus Raf.; Punica granatum L.; Prunus L.; Pyracantha M. Roem.; Pyrus L.; Solanum lycopersicum L.; Solanum melongena L.; Sorbus L.; Swinglea Merr. and Palmae, intended for planting, having a diameter of the stem at the base of over 5 cm and belonging to the following taxa: Areca catechu L., Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr., Bismarckia Hildebr. & H.Wendl., Borassus flabellifer L., Brahea Mart., Butia Becc., Calamus merrillii Becc., Caryota maxima Blume, Caryota cumingii Lodd. ex Mart., Chamaerops L., Cocos nucifera L., Copernicia Mart., Corypha utan Lam., Elaeis guineensis Jacq., Howea forsteriana Becc., Jubaea Kunth, Livistona R. Br., Metroxylon sagu Rottb., Phoenix L., Pritchardia Seem. & H.Wendl., Ravenea rivularis Jum. & H.Perrier, Roystonea regia (Kunth) O.F.Cook, Sabal Adans., Syagrus Mart., Trachycarpus H. Wendl., Trithrinax Mart., Washingtonia Raf. Further modifications of import requirements concern the following general classes of plants and plant products: plants intended for planting, plants with roots; plants of herbaceous species, wood, wood packaging material and fruits and vegetables. The following harmful organisms are added to the list of EU quarantine pests: Bactericera cockerelli (Sulc.); Keiferia lycopersicella (Walsingham); Saperda candida Fabricius; Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick); Thaumetopoea pityocampa Denis & Schiffermüller.

This regulatory measure authorises the commercialisation of 22 substances as feed additives in the category of "sensory additives" subsequent to the re-evaluation by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) ex Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC)1831/2003. Transitional measures for exhaustion of stocks are established. Maximum Residues Level are recommended only for benzoic acid.

The regulatory measure authorises the commercialisation of eight substances as feed additives in the category of "sensory additives" following the re-evaluation carried out by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) in accordance with Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC)1831/2003. Appropriate protective measures are recommended as they have been considered as irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory tract.

The regulatory measure authorises the commercialisation of the above mentioned substance as feed additive in the category of "sensory additives" subsequent to the re-evaluation by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) ex Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC)1831/2003. Transitional measures for exhaustion of stocks are established. Maximum Residues Level are recommended.

The draft measure suspends the existing authorisation of ethoxyquin used as antioxidant feed additive for all animal species, since the conditions for authorisation laid down by the relevant EU legislation are no longer met. According to the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of 21 October 2015, there is an overall lack of data submitted to assess the exposure and the safety of ethoxyquin for animals, consumers and the environment. In addition, several potential safety concerns are raised: at least one of the additive's metabolites, ethoxyquin quinone imine, could be genotoxic. Also, the impurity p-phenetidine, which remains in the additive, is a possible mutagen. The draft suspension act is accompanied by transitional measures in order to allow operators to adapt to the withdrawal obligation. The suspension measure will be reviewed by 31 December 2020 at the latest.

The proposal notified in G/SPS/N/EU/33 (17 August 2012) has been amended by "Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/172 of 1 February 2017 amending Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 as regards parameters for the transformation of animal by-products into biogas or compost, conditions for imports of petfood and for the export of processed manure (Text with EEA relevance)" [OJ L 28, 2 February 2017, pp. 1-4]. This Regulation will enter into force on 22 February 2017. http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_0657_00_e.pdf http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_0657_00_f.pdf http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/EEC/17_0657_00_s.pdf

This regulation provides: - the regionalisation of Israel with respect to Newcastle disease and restricting imports to poultry meat only; - the authorisation of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for the imports of poultry meat into the European Union; - the amendment of the model veterinary certificate for meat of poultry to allow imports into the Union of poultry meat produced from slaughter poultry previously imported from a member State. Prior to this amendment third countries were only allowed to import into the Union poultry meat from poultry that have been kept in that third country since hatching or imported from another third country under conditions at least equivalent to the conditions for imports into the Union; - the amendment of the Harmonised System (HS) Customs code for egg products to be indicated on the import certificate.