On November 28, 2017, the European Commission (EC) opened a consultation on the “evaluation and fitness check roadmap” for food contact materials (FCM) legislation (Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004).
According to the roadmap, the planned evaluation aims “to assess whether the current EU legislative framework for FCMs is fit for purpose and delivers as expected,” in particular “in relation to its original objectives,” which are (i) “provide the basis for securing a high level of protection of human health and the interests of consumers,” and (ii) “ensure the effective functioning of the internal market.”
The main evaluation criteria include “the overall effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence including coherence with other chemicals and food legislation, and EU added value.” Both “the functioning of the FCM Regulation in its entirety” as well as “the rules and tools provided by this legislation” will be covered. In addition, “the situation concerning materials for which there are no EU specific measures and which are subject to national measures” will be examined as well. The evaluation will focus on the time period starting when the FCM Regulation entered into force in 2004. However, it “will also cover the period concerning the general rules that have been maintained since the introduction of the earliest FCM legislation in the EU.”
Several consultations with all relevant stakeholders are planned to be carried out in the course of the evaluation. The consultations will seek the stakeholders’ opinions on the main evaluation criteria, along with a “general view on the scope and approach set in the FCM Regulation,” with a possibility “to identify any unexpected impacts or issues as a consequence of the current Regulation.”
These consultations will include a “12-week internet based public consultation” in the second or third quarter of 2018, carried out “to ensure transparency and accountability and give any interested party the possibility to contribute.” Additionally, “targeted consultation activities tailored for particular stakeholders’ groups, including surveys, interviews and case studies” will be carried out, and a “stakeholder conference/workshop/seminar” will follow to “complement the process, gather views and ensure that all relevant interested parties are included.”
The current consultation on the published roadmap is open until December 26, 2017.
Read more
EC (November 28, 2017). “Evaluation of food contact materials (FCM).”
EC (November 28, 2017). “Evaluation roadmap – Evaluation of food contact materials (FCM).” (pdf)
Chemical Watch (November 30, 2017). “Commission publishes EU roadmap on FCM law evaluation.“
