8.5.2018   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 117/6

(1)

In accordance with Article 23(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, the Commission received on 23 July 2015 an application from Compo Expert France SAS, for the approval of Talc E553B as a basic substance. That application was accompanied by the information required by the second subparagraph of Article 23(3).

(2)

The Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (hereinafter ‘the Authority’) for scientific assistance. The Authority presented to the Commission a Technical Report on Talc E553B on 6 June 2016 (2). Considering the additional documentation submitted by the applicant to address the comments collated through the consultation with Member States and the Authority and related to operator exposure, the Commission asked the Authority for further scientific assistance to assess the new information submitted. The Authority presented to the Commission a second Technical Report on Talc E553B on 27 July 2017 (3).

(3)

The Commission presented the draft review report (4) on 5 October 2017 and a draft of this Regulation to the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed on 13 December 2017 and finalised them for the meeting of that Committee on 22 March 2018.

(4)

The documentation provided by the applicant shows that Talc E553B fulfils the criteria of a foodstuff as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (5). Moreover, it is not predominantly used for plant protection purposes but nevertheless is useful in plant protection in a product consisting of the substance and water. Consequently, it is to be considered as a basic substance.

(5)

It has appeared from the examinations made that Talc E553B may be expected to satisfy, in general, the requirements laid down in Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, in particular with regard to the uses which were examined and detailed in the Commission review report. It is therefore appropriate to approve Talc E553B as a basic substance.

(6)

In accordance with Article 13(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 in conjunction with Article 6 thereof and in the light of current scientific and technical knowledge, it is, however, necessary to include certain conditions and restrictions for the approval which are detailed in Annex I to this Regulation.

(7)

In accordance with Article 13(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 (6) should be amended accordingly.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,