Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251 (2) of the EC Treaty concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 95/2/EC on food additives other than colours and sweeteners
Date: 2000-09-15
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: approximation of laws, financial legislation, free movement of capital, investment company, securities













EUR-Lex - 52000SC1521 - EN






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52000SC1521

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251 (2) of the EC Treaty concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 95/2/EC on food additives other than colours and sweeteners  /* SEC/2000/1521 final - COD 99/0158 */  









COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT  pursuant to the second subparagraph of Article 251 (2) of the EC Treaty  concerning the common position of the Council on the adoption of a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 95/2/EC on food additives other than colours and sweeteners1. Background- Proposal transmitted to the European Parliament and to the Council: 22 July 1999 [COM (1999) 329 final/2 - 1999/0158 (COD)]- Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee: 8 December 1999- Opinion of the European Parliament, first reading: 11 April 2000- Amended proposal transmitted to the European Parliament and to the Council: 19 July 2000- Adoption of the common position by the Council: 20 July 20002. Purpose of the proposalThe proposal is based on Article 95 of the Treaty, and proposes the use of some new food additives, which are currently forbidden, but which have recently been evaluated by the Scientific Committee on Food and found acceptable for human consumption. The proposal also allows already authorised food additives to be used in certain new applications.3. Comments on the common position3.1. In general, the common position of the Council follows the Commission's original and amended proposals concerning the European Parliament and the Council Directive amending Directive 95/2/EC on food additives other than colours and sweeteners.3.2. The European Parliament approved the Commission's original proposal with the proviso that some changes should be included. The Commission incorporated one of the Parliament's suggested amendments in an amended proposal (amendment 3 concerning E 467 Ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose). The Commission had decided to re-consult the Scientific Committee on Food, which had evaluated the substance in March 1999, to address questions raised by the European Parliament. The Commission considered it was inappropriate to proceed with the approval before receiving the findings of the re-consultation of the Scientific Committee on Food. Therefore, in its amended proposal, the Commission had decided that the use of ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose should not be approved for the time being and withdrew the authorisation. The common position adopted by the Council, therefore, endorses this amendment.3.3. In the common position, the Council has added two new recitals. Recital 4 refers to the general criteria for approving food additives as laid down in Annex II of Directive 89/107/EEC. Recital 5 refers to the warning labelling of gases used in aerosol dispensers as laid down in Council Directive 75/324/EEC. In addition, the Council has clarified certain provisions by rewording them.4. ConclusionsThe Council unanimously adopted the common position with one abstention. The Commission agrees with the common position as this reflects the principles of the Commission's initial proposal, and complies with the European Parliament's amendment contained in the amended proposal of the Commission. In addition, the Commission agrees with the clarifications and precisions introduced by the Council.