WRITTEN QUESTION E-2147/00 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Tallow for soap.
Date: 2000-06-30
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: animal fats, cosmetic product, intra-EU trade

C 103 E/72

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

3.4.2001

Answer given by Mr Busquin on behalf of the Commission

(8 September 2000)

The availability of validated methods for the detection and quantification of genetically modified organisms
(GMOs) in food samples is a key component for the implementation of Community legislation on novel
foods and GMOs.

The Commission(cid:146)s Joint research centre (JRC) is currently co-ordinating a network of laboratories within
Member States, which was recently established to develop appropriate analytical methodology for the
detection and quantification of GMOs.

Several analytical methods that can be used for detection and also quantification (assessment of levels) of
GMOs are already available within these laboratories. The JRC itself has recently validated methods for (a)
the screening (detection) of raw (1) and processed materials (2)
the
quantification (3) of GMOs from material derived from Round-upﬁ Ready soybeans and BT-176 maize;
and (c) the identification (and quantification) of Round-upﬁ Ready soybeans (4). Further validation studies
concerning the existing quantitative methods are certainly required as are studies to develop more accurate
and sensitive detection methods. Such studies are currently being conducted in a number of laboratories.

for the presence of GMOs,

(b)

The work of the JRC (jointly performed by the Institute for health and consumer protection (IHCP) and the
Institute for reference material and measurements (IRMM)) in these areas continues in close collaboration
with the network of laboratories from Member States. The validation of a further quantitative method for
detection of GMOs is foreseen for autumn 2000.

(1) M. Lipp et al. (1999). IUPAC collaborative trial study of a method to detect the presence of genetically modified

organisms in soy beans and maize. J AOAC Int., 82, 923 (1999).

(2) M. Lipp et al. (2000). Validation of a method based on polymerase chain reaction for the detection of genetically

modified organisms in various processed foodstuffs. Europ. Food Res. Technol., submitted.

(3) G. Van den Eede et al. (2000). Results of a European validation study of a quantitative method. EUR in print.
(4) M. Lipp et al. (2000). Validation of an immuno-assay for detection and quantitation of a genetically modified

soybean in food and food fractions using reference materials: interlaboratory study. J. AOAC, in print.

(2001/C 103 E/077)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2147/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Tallow for soap

Are there are any restrictions in operation within the Community on the use of EU tallow for soap?

What is the legal situation of any company attempting to specify to producers the country/countries
within the EU from which such tallow must originate before they will purchase the soap?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(8 September 2000)

Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States
relating to cosmetic products (1), the Cosmetics Directive, in its annex II No 419 b., states as a general
principle both non-Community and Community tallow derivatives may be used, provided that the listed
methods with specifications for transesterfication and saponification, in other words the manufacturing
process, has been respected. The producer must strictly certify the use of these methods for producing
tallow derivatives.

3.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 103 E/73

Concerning the origin of tallow, this information will be found in the product information file which is
kept by the producer. This product information file contains all specifications on the raw materials, in this
case also the origin of tallow used in the soap. It is always the responsibility of the manufacturer (cid:129) or his
agent or the person to whose order a cosmetic product is manufactured or the person responsible for
placing an imported cosmetic product on the Community market (cid:129) to keep the product information file
accessible to the Member States.

(1) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.

(2001/C 103 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2148/00

by Mar(cid:237)a Sornosa Mart(cid:237)nez (PSE) to the Commission

(30 June 2000)

Subject: Discharge into the River Belcaire in the Vall d(cid:146)Uix(cid:243) (Valencia region, Spain)

As the River Belcaire flows through Vall d(cid:146)Uixo (Valencia), excessive quantities of waste water are
discharged into it from the tanneries situated on the river banks and the municipal reverse osmosis
treatment plant. Since the municipal authorities have failed to take action to resolve this environmental
problem, the Jœcar hydrographical confederation has lodged several complaints regarding this situation,
one of which is currently before the national courts.

Furthermore, despite the construction of additional facilities for the treatment of industrial waste water,
studies carried out by the local authorities indicate that the treatment provided by the pre-treatment plant
is insufficient and inadequate.

The same local authorities recently published a study which acknowledged that as a result of the
discharges, salt levels were twice those permitted under current legislation, whilst no mention at all was
made of the other pollutants, in addition to these chlorides, that are being discharged into the River
Belcaire.

In view of the case pending against Spain in the Court of Justice for incorrect application of Directive 76/
464/EEC (1) on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment
of the Community, what measures does the Commission intend to take to ensure that the Spanish
authorities fully respect the provisions of this directive, and in particular in the case of the River Belcaire?

With regard to the residents of Vall d(cid:146)Uixo and the manifest inadequacy of purification systems for the
contaminated water, does the Commission consider that the provisions of Directive 91/271/EEC on urban
waste water treatment are being breached?

(1) OJ L 129, 18.5.1976, p. 23.

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(18 September 2000)

Firstly, as regards pollution of waters in general by dangerous substances, the Commission is aware of the
problem posed in Spain by the implementation of Council Directive 76/464/EEC of 4 May 1976 on
pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of
the
Community. It should be noted that in the infringement procedure initiated by the Commission against
Spain pursuant to Article 226 (former Article 169) of the EC Treaty the Court of Justice found Spain
guilty (1) of failing to implement programmes to reduce pollution of the waters by certain dangerous
substances within List II in the Annex to Directive 76/464/EEC, contrary to Article 7 of that Directive.