Member State cooperation in the scientific examination of food questions
A Commission proposal for a Council Directive on assistance to the Commission and cooperation by the Member States in the scientific examination of questions relating to food (COM(91) 16) was submitted on 27 March 1991. The completion of the internal market for foodstuffs requires the examination and evaluation of food-related questions, particularly concerning human health, in disciplines such as medicine, nutrition, toxicology, food contamination, microbiology, biotechnology and chemistry. To assist in this task the Commission set up in 1974 a Scientific Committee for Food (Decision 74/234/EEC, OJ No L 136 of 20.5.1974). Before 1 January 1993, Member States shall take measures to adapt laws, regulations and administrative provisions enabling them to cooperate with the Commission and lend it assistance in those areas detailed in the Annex, related to: Work programmes; administrative rules; the appraisal of requests for scientific assessment; the designation of bodies carrying out extensive studies.