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Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
1. Adoption of the Agenda
The agenda was adopted
2. Introduction by the Commission
The meeting was opened by Mrs. M. de Solà who welcomed the Members and congratulated them on their nomination to the Scientific Committee for Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products intended for Consumers.
3. Rules of Procedure
Mrs. de Solà recalled the procedures for establishing the scientific committees introduced in 1997 : the members of the scientific committees are chosen on the basis of their scientific excellence by an independent panel from candidates who had responded to an open call for expressions of interest, a procedure which reinforces the requirements for independence of the scientific advice given to the Commission. She also recalled the other main principle, namely transparency. It is necessary for interested parties to have easy access to information on the committee's work and its working procedures.
In this framework, the members are asked to inform the Commission each year in writing of any interest which could be regarded as prejudicial to their independence. A declaration of interest is required at the beginning of each meeting of the Committee. Mrs de Solà stressed that having an interest in a specific item is not regarded as a problem, however, not to declare would.
She reminded of the obligation to abide by the rule of confidentiality of the debates.
She also recalled the role of the Scientific Steering Committee : the SSC examines questions that do not fall within the remits of the specific committees, advises on questions of a multi-disciplinary nature, and resolves any divergence in the advice from different specific committees on related questions.
The Rules of procedure, doc. n° SCCNFP/0042/98, should be discussed and adopted by the renewed SCCNFP as soon as possible.
Finally, Mrs de Solà briefly informed the committee about the principles and requirements of food law and the establishment of the European Food Authority. She said that 3 committees, namely the SCCNFP, the SCTEE and the SCMPMD, fall outside the scope of the EFA. However, at present no decision is taken regarding their future.
Mrs Clarke outlined the 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 receive an indemnity for each day of participation at a meeting of a scientific committee. An additional indemnity is paid to a rapporteur on a subject specified by a committee.
4. Information on the work of the SCCNFP
Mrs. Drion presented the legislative background to the Committee's work. Information was given on the Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EEC, its special features and the changes introduced by the 6th Amendment. She explained that in the case of Community legislation on cosmetic products, virtually all Community acts include an obligation for the Commission to consult the SCCNFP on proposals for measures, which may have an effect on public health. She reminded that the SCCNFP is responsible for risk assessment while risk management is DG ENTR responsibility.
However, questions put to the scientific committees would not be limited to those where legal acts made consultation obligatory, but could include any problem where there is a concern for consumer health. The Commission Decision setting up Scientific Committees made provision for scientific committees to draw the attention of the Commission to any specific or emerging problem on matters of consumer health falling within their remits.
Mrs. Drion said that the role of the secretariat is essentially to support the committees in their work. She explained the main points of the organisation of the work of the committee. A series of documents was distributed in this respect.
5. Introduction of Members
Members were invited to introduce themselves with a brief summary of their professional background, affiliations and areas of scientific expertise.
6. Election of the Chairperson and 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 (9+1 votes) 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 chairperson should therefore be aware of the additional demands that this role would have on their time. She said that candidates could either nominate themselves for consideration or be nominated by another member of the Committee.
Chairperson
Dr. Ian White was unanimously elected as the Chairperson. The members unanimously agreed to vote by show of hands.
Vice-chairpersons
Prof. Kemper and Prof. N. Loprieno were elected as vice-Chairpersons in two separate votes. The members voted by show of hands and by ballot.
7. Current work programme
In his inaugural speech, Dr White, the new elected chairman of the SCCNFP, thanked all members for their confidence. He said that his task will be easy and difficult at the same time : easy because Prof. Kemper left him a committee 'in optima forma', difficult because the committee adopted under his chairmanship more that 100 opinions.
He presented a document, which summarised for each of the principal areas of activity, the requests to the committee and he illustrated the active questions.
He described the working groups structure that had been developed during previous mandates.
In accordance with the draft work programme, he proposed, for the time being, the creation of the following working parties : Alternatives to Animal Testing & Dossier, Detergents & similar Household Products, Exposure & Risk Assessment, Hair Dyes & Colorants, Inventory, Preservatives & Fragrances and UV filters.
The chairman invited the members to indicate by means of a form circulated at the meeting which working groups they would like to consider joining in the light of the information given. Member's preferences for working group participation would be collated by the secretariat and distributed as soon as possible.
The Chairman stressed that the structure of Working Parties is of a dynamic nature and that other working parties will be set up for particular issues if required.
The Chairman proposed a draft schedule of meetings for 2001. The SCCNFP provisionally agreed on the following dates for plenary meetings follows :
- 13 March, 12 June, 25 September and 11 December 2001.
A meeting of the WP 'Hair Dyes & Colorants' was planned on 16 January 2001, a meeting of the WP 'Preservatives & Fragrances' was planned on 17 January 2001.
8. Any other business
* Notes of guidance for testing of cosmetic ingredients for their safety evaluation
The chairman explained to the meeting the history and the meaning of these notes of guidance. He said that a copy of the latest version adopted on 24 October 2000 will be sent to the members by mail.
* Minutes of the 14th Plenary meeting
Dr White said that the draft minutes of the 14th Plenary meetings will be sent to the former members for adoption by written procedure. The secretariat will make the proposed corrections and put the minutes on the committee's web site as soon as possible.
* The secretariat distributed copies of :
- the document listing the opinions/positions papers adopted by the SCCNFP so far;
- Directive 76/768/EEC on cosmetic products and its 6th Amendment;
- the draft 7th Amendment;
- SSC draft paper on harmonisation of risk assessment;
- the rules of Procedure, as adopted by the SCCNFP during its previous mandate.
- SCCNFP Notes of Guidance for Testing of Cosmetic ingredients for their Safety Evaluation, doc n° SCCNFP/0312/00
- 1st Update of the Inventory of ingredients employed in cosmetic products, Section I, doc. n° SCCNFP/0299/00, and Section II, doc. n° SCCNFP/0389/00.
Participants
Members present : Mr R. ANTON Mr J-P. MARTY, Mrs C. CHAMBERS Mr J. PARRA, Mr A. DI DOMENICO Mr T. PLATZEK, Mr V. KAPOULAS Mr S. RASTOGI, Mr F. KEMPER Mr H. SCHAEFER, Mr C. LAURENT Mr T. SANNER, Mr B. LINA Mr J. VIVES REGO, Mr N. LOPRIENO Mr I. WHITE
Apologies : Mr K.E. ANDERSEN, Mrs V. ROGIERS
Commission : Mr S. ABILGAARD DG SANCO, Ms L. BENALI DG SANCO, Mrs S. CLARKE DG SANCO, Mrs M. DE SOLA DG SANCO, Mrs F. DRION DG SANCO, Mr A. VAN ELST DG SANCO
Annex 1
Agenda for the 15th plenary meeting (Brussels, 6 December 2000)
1. Adoption of the Agenda
2. Introduction by the Commission
3. Rules of procedure
4. Information on the work of the SCCNFP
5. Introduction of Members
6. Election of the Chairperson and vice-Chairpersons
7. Current work programme
8. Any other business
The agenda was adopted
2. Introduction by the Commission
The meeting was opened by Mrs. M. de Solà who welcomed the Members and congratulated them on their nomination to the Scientific Committee for Cosmetic Products and Non-Food Products intended for Consumers.
3. Rules of Procedure
Mrs. de Solà recalled the procedures for establishing the scientific committees introduced in 1997 : the members of the scientific committees are chosen on the basis of their scientific excellence by an independent panel from candidates who had responded to an open call for expressions of interest, a procedure which reinforces the requirements for independence of the scientific advice given to the Commission. She also recalled the other main principle, namely transparency. It is necessary for interested parties to have easy access to information on the committee's work and its working procedures.
In this framework, the members are asked to inform the Commission each year in writing of any interest which could be regarded as prejudicial to their independence. A declaration of interest is required at the beginning of each meeting of the Committee. Mrs de Solà stressed that having an interest in a specific item is not regarded as a problem, however, not to declare would.
She reminded of the obligation to abide by the rule of confidentiality of the debates.
She also recalled the role of the Scientific Steering Committee : the SSC examines questions that do not fall within the remits of the specific committees, advises on questions of a multi-disciplinary nature, and resolves any divergence in the advice from different specific committees on related questions.
The Rules of procedure, doc. n° SCCNFP/0042/98, should be discussed and adopted by the renewed SCCNFP as soon as possible.
Finally, Mrs de Solà briefly informed the committee about the principles and requirements of food law and the establishment of the European Food Authority. She said that 3 committees, namely the SCCNFP, the SCTEE and the SCMPMD, fall outside the scope of the EFA. However, at present no decision is taken regarding their future.
Mrs Clarke outlined the 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 receive an indemnity for each day of participation at a meeting of a scientific committee. An additional indemnity is paid to a rapporteur on a subject specified by a committee.
4. Information on the work of the SCCNFP
Mrs. Drion presented the legislative background to the Committee's work. Information was given on the Cosmetics Directive 76/768/EEC, its special features and the changes introduced by the 6th Amendment. She explained that in the case of Community legislation on cosmetic products, virtually all Community acts include an obligation for the Commission to consult the SCCNFP on proposals for measures, which may have an effect on public health. She reminded that the SCCNFP is responsible for risk assessment while risk management is DG ENTR responsibility.
However, questions put to the scientific committees would not be limited to those where legal acts made consultation obligatory, but could include any problem where there is a concern for consumer health. The Commission Decision setting up Scientific Committees made provision for scientific committees to draw the attention of the Commission to any specific or emerging problem on matters of consumer health falling within their remits.
Mrs. Drion said that the role of the secretariat is essentially to support the committees in their work. She explained the main points of the organisation of the work of the committee. A series of documents was distributed in this respect.
5. Introduction of Members
Members were invited to introduce themselves with a brief summary of their professional background, affiliations and areas of scientific expertise.
6. Election of the Chairperson and 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 (9+1 votes) 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 chairperson should therefore be aware of the additional demands that this role would have on their time. She said that candidates could either nominate themselves for consideration or be nominated by another member of the Committee.
Chairperson
Dr. Ian White was unanimously elected as the Chairperson. The members unanimously agreed to vote by show of hands.
Vice-chairpersons
Prof. Kemper and Prof. N. Loprieno were elected as vice-Chairpersons in two separate votes. The members voted by show of hands and by ballot.
7. Current work programme
In his inaugural speech, Dr White, the new elected chairman of the SCCNFP, thanked all members for their confidence. He said that his task will be easy and difficult at the same time : easy because Prof. Kemper left him a committee 'in optima forma', difficult because the committee adopted under his chairmanship more that 100 opinions.
He presented a document, which summarised for each of the principal areas of activity, the requests to the committee and he illustrated the active questions.
He described the working groups structure that had been developed during previous mandates.
In accordance with the draft work programme, he proposed, for the time being, the creation of the following working parties : Alternatives to Animal Testing & Dossier, Detergents & similar Household Products, Exposure & Risk Assessment, Hair Dyes & Colorants, Inventory, Preservatives & Fragrances and UV filters.
The chairman invited the members to indicate by means of a form circulated at the meeting which working groups they would like to consider joining in the light of the information given. Member's preferences for working group participation would be collated by the secretariat and distributed as soon as possible.
The Chairman stressed that the structure of Working Parties is of a dynamic nature and that other working parties will be set up for particular issues if required.
The Chairman proposed a draft schedule of meetings for 2001. The SCCNFP provisionally agreed on the following dates for plenary meetings follows :
- 13 March, 12 June, 25 September and 11 December 2001.
A meeting of the WP 'Hair Dyes & Colorants' was planned on 16 January 2001, a meeting of the WP 'Preservatives & Fragrances' was planned on 17 January 2001.
8. Any other business
* Notes of guidance for testing of cosmetic ingredients for their safety evaluation
The chairman explained to the meeting the history and the meaning of these notes of guidance. He said that a copy of the latest version adopted on 24 October 2000 will be sent to the members by mail.
* Minutes of the 14th Plenary meeting
Dr White said that the draft minutes of the 14th Plenary meetings will be sent to the former members for adoption by written procedure. The secretariat will make the proposed corrections and put the minutes on the committee's web site as soon as possible.
* The secretariat distributed copies of :
- the document listing the opinions/positions papers adopted by the SCCNFP so far;
- Directive 76/768/EEC on cosmetic products and its 6th Amendment;
- the draft 7th Amendment;
- SSC draft paper on harmonisation of risk assessment;
- the rules of Procedure, as adopted by the SCCNFP during its previous mandate.
- SCCNFP Notes of Guidance for Testing of Cosmetic ingredients for their Safety Evaluation, doc n° SCCNFP/0312/00
- 1st Update of the Inventory of ingredients employed in cosmetic products, Section I, doc. n° SCCNFP/0299/00, and Section II, doc. n° SCCNFP/0389/00.
Participants
Members present : Mr R. ANTON Mr J-P. MARTY, Mrs C. CHAMBERS Mr J. PARRA, Mr A. DI DOMENICO Mr T. PLATZEK, Mr V. KAPOULAS Mr S. RASTOGI, Mr F. KEMPER Mr H. SCHAEFER, Mr C. LAURENT Mr T. SANNER, Mr B. LINA Mr J. VIVES REGO, Mr N. LOPRIENO Mr I. WHITE
Apologies : Mr K.E. ANDERSEN, Mrs V. ROGIERS
Commission : Mr S. ABILGAARD DG SANCO, Ms L. BENALI DG SANCO, Mrs S. CLARKE DG SANCO, Mrs M. DE SOLA DG SANCO, Mrs F. DRION DG SANCO, Mr A. VAN ELST DG SANCO
Annex 1
Agenda for the 15th plenary meeting (Brussels, 6 December 2000)
1. Adoption of the Agenda
2. Introduction by the Commission
3. Rules of procedure
4. Information on the work of the SCCNFP
5. Introduction of Members
6. Election of the Chairperson and vice-Chairpersons
7. Current work programme
8. Any other business
