The EU regulation on transparency and sustainability of scientific risk assessment in the food chain, adopted in June 2019 (see EUROPE 12192/19), enters into force this Saturday 27 March 2021.
This reform of the EU’s general food law was proposed in April 2018 to improve the transparency and reliability of risk assessments of certain substances such as pesticides and food additives by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
In particular, the regulation provides for public disclosure of all scientific data and studies from the beginning of the risk assessment process, with the exception of information on manufacturing or production processes, which is subject to confidentiality.
Other innovations include the possibility for EFSA to carry out its own checks in case of major scientific controversy and greater involvement of Member States in EFSA’s governance.
The European Commission, the EFSA, and the EU Member States are now working on the final step of the regulation: the development of an overall plan to ensure consistent risk communication throughout the assessment process.
This EU regulation is the Commission’s response to the ‘Stop glyphosate’ citizens’ initiative. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)