Distribution date: 10 August 2006

The Community legislation for food additives was created by Council Directive 89/107/EEC of 21 December 1988 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States concerning food additives for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption (Official Journal L 40 of 11.02.1989), seventeen years ago, before the creation of the WTO Agreement on the Application of SPS measures. Since then this legislation has been modified several times with the introduction of separate legislation on colours (European Parliament and Council Directive 94/36/EC), sweeteners (European Parliament and Council Directive 94/35/EC) and other food additives (European Parliament and Council Directive 95/2/EC). This proposal aims: To modernise and adapt the existing European legislation on food additives to technological and scientific developments. A single instrument for principles and approvals is proposed to update and simplify the legislation. To set up a re-evaluation programme for existing food additives permitted within the European Communities. To set provisions for the establishment of a community list of additives which are used in/added to food additives or food enzymes to facilitate their storage or integration into foods. Further Background The commission with a view to clarifying and updating this legislation to incorporate new scientific knowledge and with the ultimate aim of facilitating trade by setting clear rules, is presenting a package of four related proposals: of most relevance is the proposal notified under G/SPS/N/EEC/294 which includes the common procedure for the authorisation of food additives. The other proposals are notified in G/SPS/N/EEC/292Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on food enzymes and amending Council Directive 83/417/EEC, Council Regulation (EC) No 1493/1999, Directive 2000/13/EC, and Council Directive 2001/112/EC [COM(2006) 425 final. 2006/0144(COD)] 37 pages. G/SPS/N/EEC/293Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods and amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 1576/89, Council Regulation (EEC) No 1601/91, Regulation (EC) No 2232/96 and Directive 2000/13/EC [COM(2006) 427 final 2006/0147 (COD)] 49 pages. G/SPS/N/EEC/294Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a common authorisation procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings [COM(2006) 423 final 2006/0143 (COD)] 21 pages.

Products Covered: Food additives. Numerous HS positions in Chapter 29 (Headings 2901 to 2940) and other headings such as 2106. ICS: 67.220 and the foods in which they are used.

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 04 August 2006

This draft technical regulation refers to construction materials and defines regulated fields, groups of products from regulated field subject to conformity assessment, groups of products from regulated field that are not subject to conformity assessment, essential requirements for these groups of products, procedures for conformity assessment, the presumption of conformity, criteria for conformity assessment bodies designated within this field, rules for applying the national conformity mark SM, specific rules for market surveillance.

Products Covered: HS 2505; 2507 00; 2508; 2517; 2518; 2520; 2522; 2523; 3208; 3209; 3210 00 100; 3214; 3824 50; 3917; 3918; 3921; 3922; 3925; 4009; 4410; 4411; 4412; 4418; 4814; 5904; 5905; 6803; 6806; 6807; 6810; 6901 00; 6902; 6904; 6905; 6906; 6907; 6908; 6910; 7005; 7324; 7610; 8311

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 04 August 2006

This draft technical regulation refers to construction materials and defines regulated fields, groups of products from regulated field subject to conformity assessment, groups of products from regulated field that are not subject to conformity assessment, essential requirements for these groups of products, procedures for conformity assessment, the presumption of conformity, criteria for conformity assessment bodies designated within this field, rules for applying the national conformity mark SM, specific rules for market surveillance.

Products Covered: HS 2505; 2507 00; 2508; 2517; 2518; 2520; 2522; 2523; 3208; 3209; 3210 00 100; 3214; 3824 50; 3917; 3918; 3921; 3922; 3925; 4009; 4410; 4411; 4412; 4418; 4814; 5904; 5905; 6803; 6806; 6807; 6810; 6901 00; 6902; 6904; 6905; 6906; 6907; 6908; 6910; 7005; 7324; 7610; 8311

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 02 August 2006

The EC is proposing to the European Parliament and to the Council a new regulation. The proposed Regulation replaces Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repeals Council Directive 79/117/EEC prohibiting the placing on the market and use of plant protection products containing certain active substances. In a nutshell, it consists of the following elements: - Establishment at EU level of a positive list of active substances, safeners, synergists and a negative list of co-formulants; - Authorisation of plant protection products at Member State level; - Compulsory mutual recognition of authorisations in Member States belonging to the same authorisation zone; - Comparative assessment and substitution of products containing substances identified as candidates for substitution; - Specific provisions for basic substances or products containing substances of low concern; - Detailed rules on data protection and transparency; - Provisions on packaging, labelling and advertising; - Obligation to keep records and to carry out controls; and - Establishment of criteria for approval of active substances, safeners or synergists.

Products Covered: Plant protection products; CN heading 3808 (Fungicides, Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators, among other similar products) excluding 3808.40 ex-post.

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 02 August 2006

The EC is proposing to the European Parliament and to the Council a new regulation. The proposed Regulation replaces Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market and repeals Council Directive 79/117/EEC prohibiting the placing on the market and use of plant protection products containing certain active substances. In a nutshell, it consists of the following elements: - Establishment at EU level of a positive list of active substances, safeners, synergists and a negative list of co-formulants; - Authorisation of plant protection products at Member State level; - Compulsory mutual recognition of authorisations in Member States belonging to the same authorisation zone; - Comparative assessment and substitution of products containing substances identified as candidates for substitution; - Specific provisions for basic substances or products containing substances of low concern; - Detailed rules on data protection and transparency; - Provisions on packaging, labelling and advertising; - Obligation to keep records and to carry out controls; and - Establishment of criteria for approval of active substances, safeners or synergists.

Products Covered: Plant protection products; CN heading 3808 (Fungicides, Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators, among other similar products) excluding 3808.40 ex-post.

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 26 July 2006

EPA is proposing to amend the current regulations governing the production and trade of certain ozone-depleting substances to address issues concerning the export of previously imported material, heels, the exemption allowance petition process for HCFC-141b for military and space vehicle applications, and the definition for "importer". We are proposing these minor adjustments to our regulations in response to requests from the regulated community, to ensure equitable treatment of stakeholders, and to reduce burden where the integrity of the requirements can still be sufficiently maintained. These proposed amendments appear in the "Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register as a direct final rule.

Products Covered: HCFC (HS:  Chapter 2903, 3903) (ICS:  13, 71, 83)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 26 July 2006

EPA is proposing to amend the current regulations governing the production and trade of certain ozone-depleting substances to address issues concerning the export of previously imported material, heels, the exemption allowance petition process for HCFC-141b for military and space vehicle applications, and the definition for "importer". We are proposing these minor adjustments to our regulations in response to requests from the regulated community, to ensure equitable treatment of stakeholders, and to reduce burden where the integrity of the requirements can still be sufficiently maintained. These proposed amendments appear in the "Rules and Regulations'' section of this Federal Register as a direct final rule.

Products Covered: HCFC (HS:  Chapter 2903, 3903) (ICS:  13, 71, 83)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 19 July 2006

Products Covered: Road tank for transportation of dangerous liquid goods (ICS:  55.140;  HS:  730900)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 19 July 2006

Products Covered: Road tank for transportation of dangerous liquid goods (ICS:  55.140;  HS:  730900)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 19 July 2006

Products Covered: Road transportation vehicle of explosive substance and chemical toxic substance (ICS:  43.160;  HS:  8704)

Regulation Type: Regular notification