Council Directive 64/54/EEC of 5 November 1963 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning the preservatives authorized for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption

COUNCIL DIRECTIVE of 5 November 1963 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning the preservatives authorised for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption (64/54/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Articles 100 and 227 (2) thereof;
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission;
Having regard to the Opinion of the European Parliament 1;
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee 2;
Whereas all laws relating to the preservatives which may be used in foodstuffs intended for human consumption must give priority to the protection of public health, but the protection of the consumer against falsification, and, so far as health protection allows, economic and technological needs must also be taken into consideration;
Whereas differences between national laws concerning these preservatives hinder the free movement of foodstuffs intended for human consumption and may create conditions of unfair competition, thereby directly affecting the establishment or functioning of the common market;
Whereas the approximation of those laws is necessary for the free movement of foodstuffs intended for human consumption;
Whereas such approximation must, as a first stage, involve the establishment of a single list of preservatives whose use is authorised for the protection of foodstuffs intended for human consumption against deterioration caused by micro-organisms, and the laying down of criteria of purity which those preservatives must satisfy;
Whereas the establishment of the methods of analysis needed to verify that general and specific criteria of purity are satisfied is an implementing measure of a technical nature, and whereas, in order to simplify and speed up procedure, the task of adopting such criteria should be entrusted to the Commission;
Whereas, to take the economic and technological needs of certain Member States into account ; a period should be set during which such Member States may, in respect of preservatives, maintain their existing laws;
Whereas, during a second stage, the Council must decide on the approximation of the laws concerning individual foodstuffs intended for human consumption to which the preservatives listed in the Annex to this Directive may be added, and on the conditions governing the addition of such preservatives;