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COMMISSION DECISION
of 14 July 1987
laying down the methods to be used for detecting residues of substances having a hormonal action and of substances having a thyrostatic action
(87/410/EEC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 85/358/EEC of 16 July 1985 supplementing Directive 81/602/EEC concerning the prohibition of certain substances having a hormonal action and of any substances having a thyrostatic action (1), as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3768/85 (2), and in particular Article 5 thereof,
Whereas according to Article 5 (2) of Directive 85/358/EEC it is the responsibility of the Commission to determine, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11 of that Directive, the methods of sample analysis to be used for detecting residues of substances having a hormonal action and of substances having a thyrostatic action;
Whereas Article 4 (1) (b) of Council Directive 64/433/EEC of 26 June 1964 on health problems affecting intra-Community trade in fresh meat (3), as last amended by Directive 86/587/EEC (4), and the second subparagraph of Article 11 (4) of Council Directive 85/397/EEC of 5 August 1985 on health and animal health problems affecting intra-Community trade in heat-treated milk (5), as amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3768/85, provide that examinations for residues are to be carried out in accordance with proven methods which are scientifically recognized, in particular those laid down in Community directives or other international standards;
Whereas the determination of methods of sample analysis includes definition of the analytical procedures to be followed, the rules to be observed when drawing samples and the criteria to be applied when carrying out the analyses;
Whereas the analytical procedures adopted must be sufficiently sensitive to detect the presence of residues of substances having a hormonal action and of substances having a thyrostatic action;
Whereas sampling is an essential part of the method of analysis; whereas rules for the drawing of samples should therefore be laid down;
Whereas on 20 December 1985 the Council adopted Directive 85/591/EEC concerning the introduction of Community methods of sampling and analysis for the monitoring of foodstuffs intended for human consumption (6); whereas for the purposes of this Decision account should be taken of the criteria set out in point 1 of the Annex to that Directive;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The analytical procedures authorized for detecting residues of substances having a hormonal action and of substances having a thyrostatic action shall be the following:
- Immunoassay (IA),
- Thin layer chromatography (TLC),
- High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC),
- Gas chromatography (GC),
- Mass spectrometry (MS),
- Spectrometry (SP).
Article 2
Samples shall be drawn in accordance with the following rules:
1. the size of the sample must be sufficient to allow adequate analysis and to allow a repeat analysis and confirmatory tests;
2. the samples must be marked in such a way that identification remains possible at all stages of the procedure;
3. the packaging, preservation and transport of the samples must be such as to maintain their integrity and not prejudice to result of the examination.
Article 3
The criteria to be applied when carrying out the analyses are set out in the Annex hereto.
Article 4
This Decision shall be re-examined before 1 January 1991 in order to take account of the evolution of scientific and technical knowledge.
Article 5
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 14 July 1987.