Brussels, 18/07/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 15 July, the applications for candidates to sit on the advisory panel on characterising flavours in tobacco products were opened. The European Commission would like to employ research experts in the sensory analysis, statistical and chemical domains, for a panel that can decide what flavours should be prohibited.
The directive on tobacco products has been applicable since 20 May 2016. It bans cigarettes and rolling tobacco (Article 7) containing a characterising flavour or "fragrance or clearly identifiable taste that is different to that of tobacco and which comes from an additive or a combination of additives… And which is identifiable before or during consumption of the tobacco product". In this context, the Commission adopted an implementing regulation on 18 May last outlining the exact rules that can help determine whether a product contains a characterising taste and which must subsequently be withdrawn from the market. It calls for a panel to be set up consisting of six experts, appointed by Directorate General "Health and Food Safety" for a five year renewable period. It indicates that the experts will have to submit a non-binding opinion on flavours, following the request of the Commission or a member state. They will be able to consult a technical group of sensory and chemical evaluators, set up by the Commission by way of public procurement procedures. The implementing regulation explains that the principles of independence, impartiality and confidentiality must be respected and that the members of the panel must "avoid all direct or indirect contact with the tobacco industry or its representatives". The daily pay rates have been set at €450 and applications are open until 22 September. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)