Article 25l(3)(b) of Commission Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 (2) allows to supplement natural feed in the grow-out stage of penaeid shrimps and freshwater prawns (Macrobrachium spp.) as referred to in Section 7 of Annex XIIIa to that Regulation. For those shrimps and prawns in earlier life stages in nurseries and hatcheries supplementation of feed, in particular the need for cholesterol, is essential for their development. It is therefore necessary to extend the supplementation of feed with cholesterol to those shrimps and prawns also in their earlier life stages.
In accordance with Article 27(1)(f) of Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 minerals (trace elements included), vitamins, amino acids and micronutrients can be used in the processing of organic food only as far as their use is legally required in the foodstuffs in which they are incorporated. According to the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union in case C-137/13 (3), the use of these substances in the processing of organic food is legally required only when a provision of Union law or a provision of national law compatible therewith directly requires that that substance be added to a foodstuff in order for that foodstuff to be placed on the market.
Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) will allow the use of minerals (trace elements included), vitamins, amino acids or micronutrients in organic infant formula and follow-on formula and processed organic cereal-based foods and baby food when their use is authorised by the relevant Union legislation. In order to avoid a gap between the current interpretation of the use of these substances in foods for infants and young children and to ensure consistency with the upcoming organic legislation it is appropriate to allow their use in the production of organic baby foods for infants and young children.
Article 42 of Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 allows, under certain conditions and when organic reared pullets are not available, for non-organically reared pullets for egg production of not more than 18 weeks to be brought into an organic livestock unit until 31 December 2018.
Production of organically reared pullets for egg production is not sufficiently available, both in terms of quality and quantity, on the Union market to meet the needs of laying hen farmers. In order to allow more time for the production of organically reared pullets for egg production and to establish detailed rules for the production of organically reared pullets, the period of application of the exceptional production rules for non-organically reared pullets for egg production of not more than 18 weeks should be extended until 31 December 2020.
Article 43 of Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 allows the use of a maximum of 5 % of non-organic protein feed for porcine and poultry species per period of 12 months for the calendar year 2018.
Organic protein supply is not sufficiently available, both in terms of quality and quantity, on the Union market to meet the nutritional requirements of pigs and poultry raised on organic farms. The production of organic protein crops is still lagging behind demand. It is therefore appropriate to extend the period in which it is allowed to use a limited proportion of non-organic protein feed for porcine and poultry species until 31 December 2020.
Article 30(2) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 provides for the communication of information related to irregularities or infringements affecting the organic status of a product. Experience shows that the current tools to communicate information in case a Member State finds irregularities or infringements with regard to a product coming from that Member State need to be improved. To enhance efficiency and effectiveness, such communications should take place via the system referred to in Article 94(1) of Regulation (EC) No 889/2008.
In accordance with the procedure set out in Article 16(3) of Regulation (EC) No 834/2007, several Member States have submitted dossiers on certain substances to the other Member States and the Commission, in view of their authorisation and inclusion in Annexes I, II and VIIIa to Regulation (EC) No 889/2008. Those dossiers have been examined by the Expert Group for Technical Advice on Organic Production (EGTOP) and the Commission.
In its recommendations with regard to fertilisers (5) EGTOP concluded, inter alia, that the substances 'industrial lime from sugar production' on the basis of sugar cane and 'xylite' comply with the objectives and principles of organic production. Therefore, those substances should be included in Annex I to Regulation (EC) No 889/2008.
In its recommendations with regard to plant protection products (6) EGTOP concluded, inter alia, that the substances 'Allium sativum (garlic extract)', 'COS-OGA', 'Salix spp. Cortex (aka willow bark extract)' and 'sodium hydrogen carbonate' comply with the objectives and principles of organic production. Therefore, those substances should be included in Annex II to Regulation (EC) No 889/2008.
In its recommendations with regard to products and substances used or added in organic products during certain stages of the production process and as type of treatment in accordance with Annex I A to Commission Regulation (EC) No 606/2009 (7) in the wine sector (8) EGTOP concluded, inter alia, that the substances 'potato proteins', 'yeast protein extracts' and 'Chitosan derived from Aspergillus niger' for clarification (point 10 of Annex I A to Regulation (EC) No 606/2009), 'inactivated yeast, autolysates of yeast and yeast hulls' for addition (point 15 of that Annex), 'yeast mannoproteins', and 'Chitosan derived from Aspergillus niger' for use (points 6, 35 and 44 of that Annex) comply with the objectives and principles of organic production. Therefore, those substances should be included in Annex VIIIa to Regulation (EC) No 889/2008.
In its recommendations with regard to products for cleaning and disinfecting (9), EGTOP concluded, inter alia, that sodium hydroxide should also be available for organic beekeeping.
'1. For the purpose of cleaning and disinfection of frames, hives and combs, sodium hydroxide may be used.
in products regulated by Commission Directive 2006/141/EC (*3), their use is authorised by that Directive.
(*1) Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on food intended for infants and young children, food for special medical purposes, and total diet replacement for weight control and repealing Council Directive 92/52/EEC, Commission Directives 96/8/EC, 1999/21/EC, 2006/125/EC and 2006/141/EC, Directive 2009/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulations (EC) No 41/2009 and (EC) No 953/2009 (OJ L 181, 29.6.2013, p. 35)."
(*2) Commission Directive 2006/125/EC of 5 December 2006 on processed cereal-based foods and baby foods for infants and young children (OJ L 339, 6.12.2006, p. 16)."
(*3) Commission Directive 2006/141/EC of 22 December 2006 on infant formulae and follow-on formulae and amending Directive 1999/21/EC (OJ L 401, 30.12.2006, p. 1).';"
Annex VIIIa is replaced by the text set out in Annex III to this Regulation.
Done at Brussels, 22 October 2018.
(3) Judgment of the Court of Justice of 5 November 2015, C-137/13, ECLI:EU:C:2014:2335.
(4) Regulation (EU) 2018/848 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on organic production and labelling of organic products and repealing Council Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 (OJ L 150, 14.6.2018, p. 1).
(5) Final Report on Fertilisers (II) https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/organic/eu-policy/expert-advice/documents/final-reports_en.
(6) Final report on plant protection (III) https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/organic/eu-policy/expert-advice/documents/final-reports_en.
(7) Commission Regulation (EC) No 606/2009 of 10 July 2009 laying down certain detailed rules for implementing Council Regulation (EC) No 479/2008 as regards the categories of grapevine products, oenological practices and the applicable restrictions (OJ L 193, 24.7.2009, p. 1).
(8) Final report on Wine https://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/organic/eu-policy/expert-advice/documents/final-reports_en.
Animal by-products (including by-products of wild animals) of category 3 and digestive tract content of category 2 (categories 2 and 3 as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) must not be from factory farming origin.
The Processes have to be in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 142/2011 (2).
(1) Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 laying down health rules as regards animal by-products and derived products not intended for human consumption and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002 (Animal by-products Regulation) (OJ L 300, 14.11.2009, p. 1).
Substances not to be used as herbicides, but only for the control of pests and diseases.
Only in traps and dispensers.
All uses authorised, except herbicide.
Up to 6 kg copper per ha per year.
For perennial crops, Member States may, by derogation from the previous paragraph, provide that the 6 kg copper limit can be exceeded in a given year provided that the average quantity actually used over a 5-year period consisting of that year and of the four preceding years does not exceed 6 kg.
Only indoor uses as plant growth regulator may be authorised. Authorisations shall be limited to professional users.
(1) Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 of 25 May 2011 implementing Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the list of approved active substances (OJ L 153, 11.6.2011, p. 1).
(3) Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (OJ L 309, 24.11.2009, p. 1).
For all other wines, the maximum sulphur dioxide content applied in accordance with Annex I B to Regulation (EC) No 606/2009 on 1 August 2010, shall be reduced by 30 milligrams per litre.
(1) For the individual yeast strains: if available, derived from organic raw material.
(2) Derived from organic raw material if available.
Article 13(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 prohibits the use of purse seines within 300 metres of the coast or within the 50 m isobath where that depth is reached at a shorter distance from the coast.
At the request of a Member State, the Commission may allow a derogation from Article 13(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006, provided that a number of conditions set out in Article 13(5) and (9) are fulfilled.
On 20 June 2016 the Commission received a request from Croatia for a derogation from Article 13(3) of that Regulation, for the use of traditional purse seine 'ciplarica' fishing for mullets (Mugilidae), traditional purse seine 'palamidara' fishing for bonito (Sarda sarda), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus) and greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), traditional purse seine 'oližnica' fishing for sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) and traditional purse seine 'igličara' fishing for needle fish (Belone belone) within territorial Croatian waters.
The request concerns fishing activities already authorised by Croatia and covers vessels and gears which have a track record in the fishery of more than five years and operate under the management plan implemented by Croatia by Ministerial Ordinance (2) in accordance with Article 19(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 on 30 March 2018 ('Croatian management plan').
The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) assessed the derogation requested by Croatia and the related management plan in April 2016, July 2016, October 2016 and March 2017. STECF highlighted need for clarifications on fishing gears used, bycatches, monitoring and scientific data. Croatia provided adequate clarifications to the Commission and revised accordingly the management plan by introducing additional measures on control, fleet management, data collection and monitoring.
The derogation requested by Croatia complies with the conditions set out in Article 13(5) and (9) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006.
In particular, there are specific geographical constraints given both the distinct morphological structure of Croatia, comprising of long coastline including numerous islands and the spatial distribution of the target species, which is exclusively limited in certain specific sites and zones in the coastal areas at depths of less than 50 meters. The fishing grounds are therefore limited.
The fishery cannot be undertaken with other gears, since only purse seines have the technical characteristic necessary to carry out this type of fishery.
Moreover, the fishery has no significant impact on the marine environment, as purse seines are very selective gears, they do not touch the seabed and cannot operate above the Posidonia oceanica seabed.
The request covers 52 vessels. The derogation requested by Croatia therefore affects a limited number of vessels, compared with the large distribution area of the purse seine fleet, representing less than 1 % of the entire Croatian fleet and 16 825,84 gross tonnage (GT).
Those vessels are included on a list communicated to the Commission in accordance with Article 13(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006.
The Croatian the management plan sets out all relevant definitions on the fisheries concerned and guarantees no further increase of the fishing effort in accordance with Article 13(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 as fishing authorisations will be issued only to specified 52 vessels that are authorised to fish by Croatia. In this respect it is noted that in line with the Croatian management plan and the Ministerial Ordinance, use of purse seine 'oližnica' is permitted only in the fishing grounds in the area between Cape Lako and Cape Crna Punta and in the fishing subzones stated as 'E4' and 'F2', whereas for all traditional purse seines ('ciplarica', 'palamidara', 'igličara' and 'oližnica') fishing grounds exclude areas identified as national parks and special habitats, where fishing is strictly prohibited, which is the case for the area south-east from Cape St Peter.
The fishing activities concerned fulfil the requirements of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 which prohibits fishing above those habitats. Indeed, the seines are hauled in the water column and do not touch the seabed.
As regards the requirement to comply with Article 9(3) establishing the minimum mesh size, the Commission notes that in accordance with Article 9(7) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006, such derogation is not possible for purse seines. The Commission notes that Croatia did not authorise derogation from these provisions in its management plan.
The management plan ensures that catches of species mentioned in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 are minimal since the targeted species are mullets (Mugilidae), bonito (Sarda sarda), bullet tuna (Auxis rochei), little tunny (Euthynnus alletteratus), greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) and needle fish (Belone belone) which are not mentioned in Annex III of the Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006.
Fishing activities are highly selective and do not target cephalopods.
The management plan includes measures for the monitoring of fishing activities, thus fulfilling the conditions set out in Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 (3).
The Croatian management plan includes measures for the monitoring of fishing activities, as provided for in the third subparagraph of Article 13(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006.
Consequently, the requested derogation should be granted.
Croatia should report to the Commission in regular intervals and in accordance with the monitoring plan provided for in the Croatian management plan.
needle fish (Belone belone) by purse seine 'igličara'.
holding a fishing authorisation and operating under the Croatian management plan.
Croatia shall communicate to the Commission, within three years following the entry into force of this Regulation, a report drawn up in accordance with the monitoring plan established in the Croatian management plan.
It shall apply from 26 October 2018 to 26 October 2021.
(1) OJ L 36, 8.2.2007, p. 6.
Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 prohibits fishing with trawl nets, dredges, purse seines, boat seines, shore seines or similar nets above seagrass beds of, in particular, Posidonia oceanica or other marine phanerogams.
At the request of a Member State, the Commission may allow a derogation from the first subparagraph of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006, provided that a number of conditions set out in Article 4(5) are fulfilled.
At the request of a Member State, the Commission may allow a derogation from Articles 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006, provided that a number of conditions set out in Article 13(1) second paragraph, 13(5) and (9) are fulfilled.
On 26 January 2016 the Commission received a request from Croatia for a derogation from the first subparagraph of Article 13(1) of that Regulation, for the use of traditional shore seine of large mesh size 'šabakun', fishing for greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), traditional shore seine 'oližnica', fishing for sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) and traditional shore seines 'girarica' and 'migavica', fishing for picarels (Spicara smaris) within the Croatian territorial waters.
With the same request, Croatia requested for a derogation from the first subparagraph of Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006, for the use of traditional shore seines 'girarica' and 'migavica', fishing for picarels (Spicara smaris).
The request concerns fishing activities already authorised by Croatia and covers vessels which have a track record in the fishery of more than five years and operate under the management plan implemented by Croatia by Ministerial Ordinance (2) in accordance with Article 19(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 on 30 March 2018 ('Croatian management plan').
The Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF) assessed the derogation requested by Croatia and the related management plan in April and October 2016. STECF highlighted need for clarifications on fishing gears used, bycatches, monitoring and scientific data. Croatia provided adequate clarifications to the Commission and revised accordingly the management plan by introducing additional measures on control, fleet management, data collection and monitoring.
The derogations requested by Croatia comply with the conditions set out in Article 4(5) and Article 13(5) and (9) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006.
With respect to picarels fishing the request concerns fishing activities by vessels of less than or equal to 12 meters overall length and engine power of less than or equal to 85 kW with bottom towed nets traditionally undertaken on Posidonia beds, in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 4(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006. In addition the fishing activity with respect to picarels fishing affect approximately 5 % of the area covered by seagrass beds of Posidonia oceanica within the area covered by the management plan and less than 5 % of seagrass beds in the territorial waters of Croatia, in accordance with the requirements of points (ii) and (iii) of the first subparagraph of Article 4(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006.
The fishery cannot be undertaken with other gears, since only shore seines have the technical characteristic necessary to carry out this type of fishery.
Moreover, the fishery has no significant impact on the marine environment, as shore seines are very selective gears, they do not touch the seabed and cannot operate above the Posidonia oceanica seabed.
The request covers 87 vessels. The derogation requested by Croatia therefore affects a limited number of vessels, compared with the large distribution area of the fleet using these types of gears, representing 1 % of the fleet and 2 % of the gross tonnage (GT).
The Croatian management plan sets out all relevant definitions on the fisheries concerned and guarantees no further increase of the fishing effort in line with Article 13(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 as fishing authorisations will be issued only to specified 87 vessels that are authorised to fish by Croatia. In this respect, it is noted that in line with the Croatian management plan and the Ministerial Ordinance, no fishing grounds for shore seines nets 'migavica', 'girarica' and 'šabakun' are foreseen in the fishing zone stated as 'A', while shore seine 'oližnica' is permitted only in the fishing subzones stated as 'E4' and 'F2'. Additionally, the use of shore seine nets is prohibited in the areas identified as national parks and special habitats.
The fishing activities concerned fulfil the requirements of Article 4 of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006. Indeed, the seines are hauled in the water column and do not touch the seabed.
As regards the requirement to comply with Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 establishing the minimum mesh size with regard to use of traditional shore seines 'oližnica' fishing for sand smelt (Atherina boyeri), the Commission notes that in accordance with Article 9(7) of that Regulation, Croatia authorised a derogation from Article 9(3) of that Regulation in its management plan, as the fisheries concerned are highly selective, have a negligible effect on the marine environment and are not affected by the provisions in Article 4(5).
The Commission notes that Croatia did not authorise a derogation in its management plan from the requirements of Article 9(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 with regard to use of traditional shore seine of large mesh size 'šabakun', fishing for greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and with regard to use of traditional shore seines 'girarica' and 'migavica', fishing for picarels (Spicara smaris).
The management plan ensures that catches of species mentioned in Annex III of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 are minimal since the targeted species are greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili), sand smelt (Atherina boyeri) and picarels (Spicara smaris), which are not mentioned in Annex III of the Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 and the fishing activities are highly selective.
The management plan includes measures for the monitoring of fishing activities, as provided for in the fifth subparagraph of Article 4(5) and in the third subparagraph of Article 13(9) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006, thus fulfilling the conditions set out in Article 14 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 (3).
The requested derogations should therefore be granted.
1. Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1967/2006 shall not apply in the territorial waters of Croatia to fishing for picarels (Spicara smaris) by shore seines 'girarica' and 'migavica'.
picarels (Spicara smaris) by shore seines 'girarica' and 'migavica'.
(2) Pravilnik o obavljanju gospodarskog ribolova na moru obalnim mrežama potegačama, Narodne Novine, OJ 30/2018, as amended by Pravilnik o izmjeni Pravilnika o obavljanju gospodarskog ribolova na moru obalnim mrežama potegačama, OJ 49/2018.
The Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome is listed in point 12(d) of Part I of Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) as the designated European Union reference laboratory ('EU reference laboratory') for the residues listed in Annex I, Group B(3)(c) to Council Directive 96/23/EC (3).
Regulation (EU) 2017/625 repeals Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 and sets out new rules on official controls, including on the decision to establish and the designation of EU reference laboratories. Article 92(3) of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 provides that the Commission is to review regularly the mandate and the operation of EU reference laboratories.
As it was considered appropriate to merge the EU reference laboratory activities on chemical elements and nitrogenous compounds in food of plant and animal origin into one EU reference laboratory, by means of Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/192 (4), the National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark in Copenhagen, Denmark was designated as an EU reference laboratory for metals and nitrogenous compounds in feed and food. As the activities of this EU reference laboratory overlap with the activities of the EU reference laboratory for the residues listed in Annex I, Group B(3)(c) to Directive 96/23/EC, currently two EU reference laboratories are responsible for the analysis of chemical elements in food of animal origin. Therefore the designation of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome as an EU reference laboratory for the residues listed in Annex I, Group B(3)(c) to Directive 96/23/EC should be revoked. Part I of Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 should be amended accordingly.
As the work program from 1 January 2018 until 31 December 2018 of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome was approved by the Commission and a grant was awarded for these activities, this Regulation should become applicable once this activity period has ended.
The designation of the Istituto Superiore di Sanità in Rome as EU reference laboratory for the residues listed in Annex I, Group B(3)(c) to Directive 96/23/EC is revoked.
Point 12(d) of Part I of Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 is deleted.
(1) OJ L 95, 7.4.2017, p. 1.
(3) Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC and 91/664/EEC (OJ L 125, 23.5.1996, p. 10).
(4) Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/192 of 8 February 2018 amending Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the EU reference laboratories in the field of contaminants in feed and food (OJ L 36, 9.2.2018, p. 15).
On 18 September 2015 and 1 October 2015, the Council adopted Decisions (EU, Euratom) 2015/1600 (1) and (EU, Euratom) 2015/1790 (2) appointing the members of the European Economic and Social Committee for the period from 21 September 2015 to 20 September 2020.
Mr Christian ARDHE, EU Affairs advisor, Heimdal European Affairs, is hereby appointed as a member of the European Economic and Social Committee for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 20 September 2020.
Done at Luxembourg, 15 October 2018.
(1) Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/1600 of 18 September 2015 appointing the members of the European Economic and Social Committee for the period from 21 September 2015 to 20 September 2020 (OJ L 248, 24.9.2015, p. 53).
(2) Council Decision (EU, Euratom) 2015/1790 of 1 October 2015 appointing the members of the European Economic and Social Committee for the period from 21 September 2015 to 20 September 2020 (OJ L 260, 7.10.2015, p. 23).
On 26 January 2015, 5 February 2015 and 23 June 2015, the Council adopted Decisions (EU) 2015/116 (1), (EU) 2015/190 (2) and (EU) 2015/994 (3) appointing the members and alternate members of the Committee of the Regions for the period from 26 January 2015 to 25 January 2020. On 4 September 2015, by Council Decision (EU) 2015/1510 (4), Mr Mart VÕRKLAEV was replaced by Mr Juri GOTMANS as an alternate member.
An alternate member's seat on the Committee of the Regions has become vacant following the end of the term of office of Mr Georg LINKOV.
Mr Juri GOTMANS, Member of Võru Town Council (change of mandate).
(4) Council Decision (EU) 2015/1510 of 4 September 2015 appointing an Estonian member and an Estonian alternate member of the Committee of the Regions. (OJ L 236, 10.9.2015, p. 8).
The validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for printed paper, and of the related assessment and verification requirements, set out in Commission Decision 2012/481/EU (2) expires on 31 December 2018.
The validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for bed mattresses, and of the related assessment and verification requirements, set out in Commission Decision 2014/391/EU (3) expires on 23 June 2018.
The validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for absorbent hygiene products, and of the related assessment and verification requirements, set out in Commission Decision 2014/763/EU (4) expires on 24 October 2018.
The validity of the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for rinse-off cosmetic products, and of the related assessment and verification requirements, set out in Commission Decision 2014/893/EU (5) expires on 9 December 2018.
In line with the conclusions of the EU Ecolabel Fitness check (REFIT) of 30 June 2017 (6), the Commission, together with the EU Ecolabelling Board has assessed the relevance of each product group before proposing its prolongation. This assessment confirmed the appropriateness of the current ecological criteria, as well as of the related assessment and verification requirements, established by Decisions 2012/481/EU, 2014/391/EU, 2014/763/EU and 2014/893/EU. This assessment showed moreover the relevance of maintaining these product groups under the EU Ecolabel, but in some cases through bundling these product groups with other existing product groups in order to improve synergies across product groups and increase the uptake of EU Ecolabel. In the revision appropriate attention should be paid to the coherence between relevant EU policies, legislation and scientific evidence.
Printed paper and converted paper products are very closely linked. Furthermore, there is an ongoing revision process for graphic paper products, a substrate for printed paper. To improve synergies and increase the uptake of EU Ecolabel for these product groups, the validity period of the current criteria for printed paper products should be aligned with the one of converted paper, until 31 December 2020.
To increase the uptake of EU ecolabel for bed mattresses, considerations should be given to merging this product group with the furniture product group. As a first step, the validity period of the current criteria for bed mattresses should be aligned with the one of furniture, until 28 July 2022.
Regarding absorbent hygiene products, to give stability to the market and to current and potential future licence holders that can result in an additional uptake by industry, the current EU Ecolabel criteria for absorbent hygiene products should be prolonged until 31 December 2022.
The EU Ecolabel criteria for rinse-off cosmetic products should be prolonged until 31 December 2021 to allow to conclude their revision.
It is therefore appropriate to prolong the period of validity of those criteria and assessment and verification requirements.
Decisions 2012/481/EU, 2014/391/EU, 2014/763/EU and 2014/893/EU should therefore be amended accordingly.
The ecological criteria for the product group "printed paper", as well as the related assessment and verification requirements, shall be valid until 31 December 2020.'.
The ecological criteria for the product group "bed mattresses", as well as the related assessment and verification requirements, shall be valid until 28 July 2022.'.
The ecological criteria for the product group "absorbent hygiene products", as well as the related assessment and verification requirements, shall be valid until 31 December 2022.'.
The ecological criteria for the product group "rinse-off cosmetic products", as well as the related assessment and verification requirements shall be valid until 31 December 2021.'.
Done at Brussels, 19 October 2018.
(2) Commission Decision 2012/481/EU of 16 August 2012 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for printed paper (OJ L 223, 21.8.2012, p. 55).
(3) Commission Decision 2014/391/EU of 23 June 2014 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for bed mattresses (OJ L 184, 25.6.2014, p. 18).
(4) Commission Decision 2014/763/EU of 24 October 2014 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for absorbent hygiene products (OJ L 320, 6.11.2014, p. 46).
(5) Commission Decision 2014/893/EU of 9 December 2014 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the EU Ecolabel for rinse-off cosmetic products (OJ L 354, 11.12.2014, p. 47).
(6) Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on the review of implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1221/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on 25 November 2009 on the voluntary participation by organisations in a Community eco-management and audit scheme (EMAS) and Regulation (EC) No 66/2010 of the Parliament and of the Council of 25 November 2009 on the EU Ecolabel (COM(2017) 355 final).