Update

For some new policies and regulations, the EU gives the opportunity to all stakeholders (including from non-EU countries) to provide their input and feedback. For more information on the EU consultation process, see Stakeholder inputs into EU policy-making – explained. The upcoming initiatives for September–December 2023 are listed here.

Background

The European Commission will be collecting feedback in autumn 2023 on the new agri-food policies and regulations listed here.

Once consultations are launched, all stakeholders (competent authorities, trade associations, individual exporters) may provide direct feedback via the EU’s “Have your say” website.

Participating in this process helps to ensure that the interests of low- and middle-income countries are taken into account when new policies or regulations are developed by the EU.

The regular AGRINFO Update newsletters highlight when the Commission opens an EU consultation or submits a notification to the WTO for comment. You can subscribe to AGRINFO Update here.

Impacted Products

fish, olive oil, animal products, food supplements, fortified foods

Upcoming opportunities to give feedback

Fish

Rules for fishery products frozen in brine on board vessels

Aim: Amend hygiene rules regarding fish initially frozen in brine on board vessels at a temperature of not more than –9°C

Opportunity: Give feedback on draft proposal

Timeline: Q3, 2023

Food safety

Vitamins and minerals added to food (minimum and maximum levels)

Aim: Set maximum levels for vitamins and minerals that may be added to food supplements and foods; and set minimum levels for food supplements

Opportunity: Provide input into public consultation

Timeline: Q3, 2023

Food contact materials

Plastic food contact materials (FCMs) (update to quality control rules)

Aim: Increase quality control on plastic FCMs by aligning with rules on biocidal products, introducing purity requirements, and adapting testing/quality controls

Opportunity: Give feedback on draft proposal

Timeline: Q3, 2023

Olive oil

Olive oil marketing standards – revision

Aim: Bring EU olive oil marketing standards into line with recent changes to the International Olive Council Trade Standard

Opportunity: Give feedback on draft proposal

Timeline: Q3, 2023

Official border controls

Agri-food imports – consignments requiring notification of arrival in the EU

Aim: Establish a list of food products (including non-animal food and food contact materials) that should be subject to official controls at the EU border, but currently are exempt under EU law

Opportunity: Give feedback on draft proposal

Timeline: Q4, 2023

New common health entry document (format and use)

Aim: Linked to the list of food products above, establish a new format for the common health entry document (CHED-N) and its presentation and use

Opportunity: Give feedback on draft proposal

Timeline: Q4, 2023

Residues and animal products

Food imports from non-EU countries – amended residues table and list of countries & commodities

Aim: Amend list of non-EU countries/commodities with an approved residue control plan that supports export of animal products

Opportunity: Give feedback on draft proposal

Timeline: Q4, 2023

Recommended Actions

Keep track of upcoming consultations to have adequate time to collect data and prepare feedback.

Resources

European Commission: Better Regulation: why and how

Sources

---