The European Food Safety Authority (Efsa) has launched a series of initiatives aimed at streamlining its risk assessment process for food contact materials (FCMs) and other substances in its remit.
The agency says it aims to make the evaluation process more interactive and responsive, with timelines that are “easier to forecast”. To this end, the authority will, for example:
>> hold more technical hearings where applicants can bring forward questions about their applications;
>> inform applicants shortly after it has adopted a relevant scientific opinion; and
>> provide an overview of the plenary meeting dates for its scientific panels on a dedicated website.
Meanwhile, Efsa has unveiled the new members of its panel on food contact materials, enzymes, flavourings and processing aids (Cef). The new teams will serve a three-year term starting from 1 July (CW 5 June 2014).
Source: ChemicalWatch