Commission Directive 2004/16/EC
of 12 February 2004
laying down the sampling methods and the methods of analysis for the official control of the levels of tin in canned foods
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard 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(1), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council(2), and in particular Article 1 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Commission Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 of 8 March 2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs(3), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 242/2004(4) fixes maximum limits for inorganic tin in canned foodstuffs and makes reference to measures laying down the sampling and analysis methods to be used.
(2) Council Directive 93/99/EEC of 29 October 1993 on the subject of additional measures concerning the official control of foodstuffs(5), as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003, introduces a system of quality standards for laboratories entrusted by the Member States with the official control of foodstuffs.
(3) It seems necessary to fix general criteria, which the method of analysis has to comply with in order to ensure that laboratories, in charge of the control, use methods of analysis with comparable levels of performance. It is also of major importance that analytical results are reported and interpreted in a uniform way in order to ensure a harmonised enforcement approach across the European Union. These interpretation rules are of application for the analytical result obtained on the sample for official control. In case of analysis for defence or referee purposes, the national rules apply.
(4) The provisions for the sampling and methods of analysis have been drawn up on the basis of present knowledge and they may be adapted to take account of advances in scientific and technological knowledge. Methods to analyse for total tin are appropriate for controls on inorganic tin. The possible presence of organic forms of tin are considered to be negligible in relation to the maximum levels set for inorganic tin.
(5) The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,
The Member States shall take all measures necessary to ensure that the sampling for the official control of the levels of tin in foodstuffs is carried out in accordance with the methods described in Annex I to this Directive.
The Member States shall take all measures necessary to ensure that sample preparation and methods of analyses used for the official control of the levels of tin in foodstuffs comply with the criteria described in Annex II to this Directive.
The Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the provisions of this Directive by 31 December 2004. They shall forthwith communicate to the Commission the text of those provisions and a correlation table between those provisions and this Directive.
When Member States adopt those provisions, their provisions shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such a reference on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made.
This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.