Council Directive 93/99/EEC of 29 October 1993 on the subject of additional measures concerning the official control of foodstuffs

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 93/99/EEC of 29 October 1993 on the subject of additional measures concerning the official control of foodstuffs
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having reagard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 100a thereof
,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
In cooperation with the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas it is necessary to adopt measures in the context of the internal market; whereas the internal market comprises an area without internal frontiers in which the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital is ensured;
Whereas trade in foodstuffs occupies a very important place in the internal market;
Whereas it is therefore essential that the application of Council directive 89/397/EEC of 14 June 1989 on the official control of foodstuffs (4) is uniform throughout the Member States; whereas this Directive lays down general rules on the official  control of foodstuffs;
Whereas there is a need for additional rules designed to improve the control procedures in force in the Community;
Whereas Member States should take the necessary action to ensure that the staff of the competent authorities have sufficient technical and administrative competence;
Whereas, in order to guarentee the quality of the test data, a system of quality standards should be introduced for laboratories entrusted by the Member States with the official control of foodstuffs; whereas such a system should comply with generally  accepted and standardized norms; whereas, in addition, it is essential that these laboratories use validated methods of analysis, whenever possible;
Whereas the development of trade in foodstuffs between the various Member States necessitates closer cooperation between the authorities involved in the control of foodstuffs;
Whereas general rules are required for the Commission officials specialized in the control of foodstuffs who cooperate with specific officials of the Member States in order to ensure the uniform application of legislation on foodstuffs;
Whereas provisions should be laid down under which the national authorities and the Commission must provide mutual administrative assistance with a view to ensuring proper application of the legislation on foodstuffs, in particular through preventive  action and the detection of infringements or behaviour suspected of infringing the rules;
Whereas, in view of the nature of the information exchanged pursuant to this Directive, it should be covered by the requirements of commercial or professional secrecy;
Whereas a procedure should be provided for to establish close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission,