What's new?
Consumers |
 | Stronger EU cooperation leads to higher consumer safety
In 2012, a total of 2,278 measures against dangerous non-food products, were taken by Member States and reported in the EU Rapid Information system (RAPEX). This indicates a 26% rise in alerts when compared to 2011 figures, an increase that could be attributed to the improved enforcement work carried out by the authorities in EU countries. |
 | Commission acts to make bank accounts available to all, cheaper and more transparent
Bank accounts have become an essential part of everyday life of European citizens. It is in this context that the European Commission published proposal for a Directive on the transparency and comparability of payment account fees, payment account switching and access to a basic payment account. |
 | Commission launches consultation on individual pension plans
The European Commission has launched a public consultation on third pillar retirement products (individual pension plans). The consultation is focused on consumer protection. It is open to all stakeholders and will be available in all EU languages. It will run for 12 weeks until 19 July 2013. |
 | Consumer Summit: Joining forces to enforce consumers' rights
On March 18-19 2013 the Consumer Summit bringing together representatives of Member States and stakeholders will take place in Brussels under patronage of Tonio Borg, the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Affairs. |
 | You are invited to the Consumer Classroom!
The European Commission has launched the Commission Classroom website for teachers providing quality resources and interactive tools teaching 12 to 18 year olds knowledge and practical consumer skills. |
 | The full ban on animal testing for cosmetics enters into force on 11 March 2013
Ending animal testing for cosmetics was a long process and it comes to an end today. The Commission has today adopted a Communication, which confirms the Commission's commitment to respect the deadline set by the Council and the European Parliament in 2003 and outlines how it intends to further support research and innovation in the area of alternative methods while promoting animal welfare world-wide. |
Health |
 | Implementation of the Health Programme in 2011
The Commission has published a working document providing detailed information on all actions and projects funded in 2011 under the Health Programme 2008-2013. |
 | New scientific opinion on adressing the new challenges for risk assessment
The Scientific Committees adopted in March 2013 an opinion concerning the procedures used for both human and ecological risk assessment, focusing particularly on the future of risk assessment of chemicals. |
 | New scientific opinion on making risk assessment more relevant for risk management
The Scientific Committees adopted in March 2013 an opinion motivated by the perception that risk assessment as currently carried out does not inform the risk management process as well as it should. Suggestions are provided on how to improve dialogue between scientists, socio-economists and regulators. |
 | High level conference addresses frailty in old age
On 18 April, specific dimensions of frailty in old age such as functional and cognitive decline, screening and effective interventions, and risk factors such as malnutrition, will be discussed at a conference opened by Tonio Borg, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy. The key objectives are to initiate a policy debate on frailty guidelines, showcase the commitments being implemented in the frailty action group and discuss the latest evidence on frailty that can feed into the work of the action group. Key-note speakers include policy makers and international experts in ageing and frailty in older people. |
 | New Scientific Committees launched in Luxembourg
The first plenary meeting of the new Scientific Committees, managed by DG Health and Consumers, took place on 11 and 12 April in Luxembourg. |
Food |
 | Info-Day on new calls for tenders for BTSF
On 4 June 2013, the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers and the European Commission's Directorate General for Health and Consumers are organising an Information Day to inform about the 2 new calls for tender on training activities to be organised in third countries under the Better Training for Safer Food Initiative to be published in the next days. |
 | Smarter rules for safer food
The European Commission has adopted a package of measures to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards for the whole agri-food chain. The package of measures provide a modernised and simplified, more risked-based approach to the protection of health and more efficient control tools to ensure the effective application of the rules guiding the operation of the food chain. |
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European Food Safety Authority seeks experts European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) calls on scientific experts with experience of chemical risk assessment to apply to join two of its Scientific Panels. Scientific experts in areas such as toxicology, chemistry, and dietary exposure assessment, are invited to apply for membership of EFSA’s Scientific Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Food (ANS Panel) and the Scientific Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF Panel) in 2014. EFSA’s call for expressions of interest is open until 17 June 2013. |
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Commission reviews measures on food and feed imports from Japan Experts meeting of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health has endorsed on 18 April 2013 a Commission measure to revise rules on imports of food and feed originating from Japan following the Fukushima nuclear accident. |
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EPSO competitions for Food Safety Administrators The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) is organising open competitions in the field of Public Health: The purpose of these competitions is to draw up reserve lists for vacant posts in the European Commission's DG for Health and Consumers. Publication: 18.04.2013 - Official journal C 111 A Further details can be found on the EPSO website, as of April 18. |
Animals |
 | Bee Health: EU-wide restrictions on Pesticide use to enter into force on 1 December
A restriction on the use of three pesticides belonging to the neonicotinoid family was adopted by the Commission on 24 May 2013. These pesticides (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiametoxam) were identified as being harmful to Europe’s honeybee population. This restriction will enter into force as from 1 December 2013 and will be reviewed, at the latest, within two years. It targets pesticides used in the treatment of plants and cereals that are attractive to bees and pollinators. |
| Smarter rules for safer food
The European Commission has adopted a package of measures to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards for the whole agri-food chain. The package of measures provide a modernised and simplified, more risked-based approach to the protection of health and more efficient control tools to ensure the effective application of the rules guiding the operation of the food chain. |
| Commission to act to better protect bees
On April 29 2013 EU Member States did not reach a qualified majority – either in favour or against - in the Appeal Committee which discussed a Commission proposal to restrict the use of 3 neonicotinoid insecticides. In absence of an agreement between Member States, it is now for the Commission to decide on the adoption of the proposed restriction. |
 | Commission harmonises reporting on the live transportation of animals
The European Commission has adopted on 18 April 2013 the decision to harmonise information to be submitted annually by Member States on inspections carried out to ensure compliance with EU legislation on animal welfare during transport. |
| Member States fail to agree on Commission proposal to save bees
On 15 March 2013, Member States did not agree with the Commission proposal to ban three pesticides (neonicotinoids) that threaten Europe’s bee population and consequently Europe’s crop production. |
Plants
| Smarter rules for safer food
The European Commission has adopted a package of measures to strengthen the enforcement of health and safety standards for the whole agri-food chain. The package of measures provide a modernised and simplified, more risked-based approach to the protection of health and more efficient control tools to ensure the effective application of the rules guiding the operation of the food chain. |
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Revision of EU legislation on Plant Reproductive Material (PRM): Commissioner Borg clarifies the Commission's proposal in a letter to the President of Arche Noah, the Seed Savers Association in Central Europe. |
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A new EFSA opinion on genetically modified maize for food and feed uses, import, processing and cultivation was published on 26 March 2013. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, the public may make comments on this opinion during 1 month. |
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One new EFSA opinion on genetically modified oilseed rape for food uses with the exception of refined oil and food additives has been published on the 12 February 2013. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, the public may make comments on this opinion during 1 month. |
 | MON 810 pollen
One new EFSA opinion on genetically modified maize MON 810 pollen as or in food has been published on the 19 December 2012. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 on genetically modified food and feed, the public may make comments on this opinion during 1 month. |
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