The meeting was initially chaired by Mrs de Solà. After the election of the CSTEE's chairperson (see point 6) the meeting would be chaired by Prof. Bridges.

1. Approval of the draft agenda

The draft agenda was adopted.

2. Introduction by the Commission

Mrs de Solà then proceeded to make a general introduction emphasising some of the organisational aspects of the exercise of restructuring of the management of scientific committees by DG XXIV. The high number of applications to serve as member of the CSTEE were proof of the importance recognised to this work area.

Mrs de Solà also established the link between the restructuring of the management of the scientific committees by the Commission and the BSE crisis. The Commission Decision of 30.4.97 was also mentioned and this was an opportunity to present some of the principles upon which the mentioned restructuring were based. Since first and foremost what matters is the health of the consumer the main characteristics relating to scientific advice would have to be Transparency, Independence and Excellency.

The importance to keep legislative and inspection services on one side and scientific advice on the other was also emphasised. This was done by managing all scientific committees under one single 'umbrella' (DG XXIV) and by keeping legislative responsibility in the original DG's of the Commission (such as DG's III, V and XI).

The excellence of advice mentioned above was made clear by the fact that the EC went even to the point of accepting that non EU citizens could be members of the scientific committees. The CSTEE has one.

Among other things Independence means that scientific committee members are not supposed to represent interests of Member States. On the other hand, Transparency is being made obvious by the fact that names of members, scientific opinions and minutes of meetings will be available on the Internet.

Mrs de Solà also described the structure of Directorate B of DG XXIV with its three Units and tasks allocated to each. The CSTEE is currently being managed by Unit B2.

3. Information on the previous Scientific Advisory Committee to examine the Toxicity and Ecotoxicity of chemical compounds (CSTE)

This point was presented by the Secretary of the CSTEE, who had also been the Secretary of the former CSTE. Mr Costa-David took the opportunity to explain the structure of the CSTE to those members (8) of the CSTEE who had not been members of the old CSTE. The existence of two sections, one on Toxicology and another on Ecotoxicology, had been dropped. This means that the old system of separate meetings of each section would no longer be appropriate in the new system. Rather from now on the functioning will be based more on specific working groups.

It was suggested that the acronym 'CSTEE' should be adopted as the 'official' acronym of the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment. The CSTEE approved this proposal.

Copies of the last two opinions adopted by the 'old' CSTE, one on 'Tri and Tetrachlorethene - guideline values in drinking water' and another on 'Nickel in Eurocoins' were distributed to members of the CSTEE. This would provide them with a perspective of the kind of work the previous committee had been doing.

4. Rules of procedure

Declarations of interest

Confidentiality

Modalities of payment

The secretariat (XXIV/B.1) explained the Commission Decision of July 1997 called upon the Committees to adopt harmonised rules of procedure in collaboration with the SSC. The rules would be designed to clarify the functioning of the Committee as concerns for example, the election of its officers, declarations of independence, confidentiality, the personal responsibility of Members for their advice, minimum time for calling meetings and submission of documents, the use and role of ad hoc experts, structure and adoption of opinions, written procedures for adoption of urgent opinions, structure and publication of opinions and the contents of minutes.

The Secretariat would develop draft rules for consideration by each specific committee. It was however stressed that the harmonised rules should be adopted as soon as possible in the life of the new committees.

The XXIV/B.1 Secretariat outlined the proposed modalities for reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs and the additional indemnity to be paid to Members and ad hoc experts. In addition to reimbursement of travel and subsistence costs, Members and ad hoc experts would receive an indemnity for each day of participation at a meeting of a scientific committee. Provision was also being made for the payment of an additional indemnity to a Rapporteur on a subject specified by a committee. The Secretariat will prepare a document setting out the details of the new arrangements.

5. Mandate of the CSTEE

Work programme of the CSTEE

Members were informed about the mandate of the CSTEE. A copy of the draft mandate was distributed. It specifies what are the responsibilities of the CSTEE in terms of work areas.

6. Introduction of members of the CSTEE

Election of the chairperson and of the vice-chairpersons

Mrs de Solà explained that, in accordance with the Commission Decision of July 1997, the Committee was required to elect a chairperson and two vice-chairpersons by simple majority of the Members that make up the Committee. The Chairperson would automatically be nominated as a Member of the SSC and therefore, Members wishing to be considered for chaiperson should therefore be aware of the additional demands that this role would have on their time. It was explained that candidates could either nominate themselves for consideration or be nominated by another member of the Committee.

Chairperson

Prof. Bridges was elected as chairperson of the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment. He took up the chair at 14H50.

Vice-chairpersons

Prof. Chambers was elected as 1st vice-chairperson by unanimity and Prof. Greim as 2nd

vice-chairperson.

7. Schedule of CSTEE meetings for 1998 - Plenaries

A provisional schedule of Plenary meetings was agreed for 1998. They will take place in the following dates:

- 9 February

- 24 April

- 15 June

- 14 September

- 27 November

8. Phthalates in toys. Terms of reference

This point, the first technical opinion request submitted to the 'new' CSTEE, was presented by Mrs. A. Gámez from Unit XXIV/A/3 (Products - Centralised rapid alert system). In particular she explained that the reason why the CSTEE was being approached. It follows notifications from the Danish authorities, according to provisions of Directive 92/59/EEC on general product safety.

A first pack of documents on the subject (docs. n° CSTEE/97/1 to CSTEE/97/1-Add. 10) was distributed at the meeting. It allows for a first perspective of the problem. The first document in particular contains in its 2nd page the mandate (terms of reference) for the CSTEE on this subject.

A Working Group 'Phthalates in toys' was created by the CSTEE to deal with this problem, with the following composition:

- Prof. Dybing (chairman of the W.G.)

- Prof. Greim

- Dr. Ladefoged (rapporteur)

- Prof. Jansson

- Prof. Vos

Dr. Ladefoged further suggested the name of Dr. Rastogi, a Danish expert which has done some extensive work on the subject. The CSTEE accepted Dr Ladefoged's proposal. He would check whether Dr Rastogi was willing to accept being nominated as an external expert in the 'Phthalates in toys' Working Group.

9. Any other business

The CSTEE was then informed by the Secretary that another topic would be submitted to them soon for opinion. It concerns 'Chrysotile asbestos'.

A first group of interested members on this subject was identified. Regardless of the exact terms of reference on this Prof. Terracini accepted to be the chairman of an eventual working group with Profs. Dybing, Lambré and Wennig willing to co-operate as well.

A brief debate on the scope of the responsibilities of the CSTEE took place and the Secretary finally drew the attention of CSTEE members to their responsibility as triggers of initiatives. They should see their role as an active one in the sense that what they will do should also be dependent upon their own initiative (opinions, proposals for research, etc.).

Without any other business, the meeting was closed at 17H30.

Annexes:

- List of participants

- Meeting agenda

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

CSTEE:

Prof. Bridges, Prof. Chambers, Prof. Dybing, Prof.Greim, Prof. Jansson, Prof. Kyrtopoulos, Dr. Ladefoged, Dr. Lambré, Prof. Rueff, Dr. Tarazona, Prof. Terracini, Prof. Vighi, Prof. Vos, Prof. Wennig

Apologies were received from:

Prof. Salkinoja-Salonen

European Commission:

Mme de Solà, Mr Costa-David, Mrs Gámez, Mr Kreysa

AGENDA

1. Adoption of the draft agenda

2. Introduction by the Commission (docs. 'Communication of the European Commission on Consumer Health and Food Safety' and Commission Decisions 97/404/EC and 97/579/EC)

3. Information on the previous Scientific Advisory Committee to examine the Toxicity and Ecotoxicity of chemical compounds (CSTE)

Previous opinions of the CSTE - examples:

opinion on Nickel in Euro coins (doc. 24n34)

opinion on Tri and Tetrachlorethene (doc. 24n32)

4. Rules of procedure

Declarations of interest

Confidentiality

Modalities of payment

5. Mandate of the CSTEE (doc. 24n50)

Work programme of the CSTEE

6. Introduction of members of the CSTEE (doc. list of members of the CSTEE)

Election of the chairperson and vice-chairpersons

7. Schedule of CSTEE meetings for 1998 - Plenaries (doc. planning of meetings for 1998)

8. Phthalates in toys.

Terms of reference (docs. CSTEE/97/1 to CSTEE/97/1-Add.10)

9. Any other business