COMMISSION DECISION of 14 April 1993 laying down the methods to be used for detecting residues of substances having a hormonal or a thyrostatic action
(93/256/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 or a thyrostatic action (1), as last amended by Directive 88/146/EEC (2), and in particular Article 5 (2) thereof,
Whereas Article 8 (1) 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 92/5/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 last amended by Directive 89/662/EEC (6), 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 analyses;
Whereas the analytical procedures adopted must be sufficiently sensitive to detect the presence of residues of substances having a hormonal or 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, for the purposes of this Decision, account should be taken of the criteria set out in point 1 of the Annex to Council Directive 85/591/EEC of 20 December 1985 concerning the introduction of Community methods of sampling and analysis for the monitoring of foodstuffs intended for human consumption (7);
Whereas, taking into account developments in scientific and technical knowledge, and for the sake of clarity, it is necessary to revoke Commission Decision 87/410/EEC (8);
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 routine analytical procedures authorized for detecting residues of substances having a hormonal or a thyrostatic action shall be the following:
- immunoassay,
- thin-layer chromatography,
- liquid chromatography,
- gas chromatography,
- mass spectrometry,
- spectrometry,
or any other method which fulfils comparable criteria to those laid down for related methods in the Annex.
Article 2
Samples for analysis shall be taken in accordance with the following rules:
1. the sample must be representative and of sufficient size to allow adequate analysis and to allow a repeat analysis and any confirmatory analysis;
2. the samples must be marked in such a way that identification remains possible at all times;
3. the sampling procedure, packaging, preservation, transport and storage of the samples must be such as to maintain their integrity and not prejudice the result of the examination. Unauthorized access to the samples must be prevented.
Article 3
The criteria applicable to routine methods for the analysis of residues of substances having a hormonal or a thyrostatic action are set out in the Annex.
Article 4
This Decision shall re-examined before 1 January 1996 in order to take account of developments in scientific and technical knowledge.
Article 5
Commission Decision 87/410/EEC is hereby revoked.
Article 6
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 14 April 1993.