Additives in feedingstuffs (amend. direct. 70/524/EEC)

OBJECTIVE: to amend the procedure for authorizing additives in feedingstuffs, in order to overcome the technical and monitoring difficulties involved in implementing Directive 70/524/EEC. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Directive 96/51/EC amending Council Directive 70/524/EEC concerning additives in feedingstuffs. SUBSTANCE: the amended authorization procedure comprises: - the definition of two groups of additives ('high tech' substances and 'generic' substances to allow the granting of authorizations under two different sets of conditions; - a procedure whereby the manufacturers forward the dossier to the Standing Committee for Feedingstuffs through the Member States, with a view to their evaluation and authorization by the Commission; - a specific authorization for each substance, issued under a Commission decision; - a limitation on authorizations for 'high tech' substances to one or more legal persons; - an obligation to update the evaluation and authorization of additives after ten years; - a revision of the provisions relating to the confidentiality of information contained in applications for authorization; - the abolition of the current positive list, accompanied by transitional arrangements allowing the entry into free circulation of substances currently authorized, while requiring a re-evaluation and extension of the authorization for certain groups. The Council also decided on the future introduction of fees, to be charged by the Member States for the work involved in considering applications. DEADLINE FOR TRANSPOSITION INTO NATIONAL LEGISLATION: 1 April 1998 and 1 October 1999 according to the legislation. �