European Commission Services Research Articles

Response to comments on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to beta‐glucans from oats and/or barley in a ready‐to‐eat cereal manufactured via pressure cooking and reduction of blood‐glucose rise after consumption pursuant to Article 13.5 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to review the scientific comments received on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to beta-glucans from oats and/or barley in a ready-to-eat cereal manufactured via pressure cooking and reduction of blood-glucose rise after consumption pursuant to Article 13.5 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Comments originating from the applicant (Nestlé S.A.) were submitted to EFSA via the European Commission Services. EFSA has reviewed the comments with the contribution of the chair of the NDA Working Group on Claims and the chair of the NDA Panel. In its opinion adopted on 25 February 2021 the EFSA Panel on Nutrition, Novel Foods and Food Allergens (NDA) concluded that the effect of beta-glucans in reducing post-prandial blood glucose responses is well established. However, the evidence provided is insufficient to establish an effect on reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses at doses of 1.3 g beta-glucans per 25 g of available carbohydrate incorporated into ready-to-eat breakfast cereals manufactured by pressure cooking (i.e. either batch cooking or extrusion), as requested by the applicant. The comments received do not require any change in the conclusions of the NDA Panel.

Tools to combat food fraud - A gap analysis.

A complex legal and institutional framework exists in the EU to ensure the safety of the feed-food chain, while such an integrated system for combating food fraud is under development. The European Commission (EC) Knowledge Centre for Food Fraud and Quality is charged with the provision of scientific insight for the policy making of EC services dealing with food fraud, and the creation of expert networks with the competent authorities of the EU Member States. To flag gaps in the existing infrastructure needed for effectively and efficiently fighting food fraud, the Centre together with the competent authorities and several EC services undertook a stocktaking exercise of what works well and which areas will need improvement. Out of several focus areas, (i) the development of early warning systems, (ii) the availability of compositional databases of vulnerable foods, and (iii) the creation of centres of competence were prioritised for further action.

Indoor air monitoring: Sharing and accessing data via the Information Platform for chemical monitoring (IPCHEM).

The European Commission has developed and put in place the Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring Data (IPCHEM), to promote a more coherent approach to the generation, collection, storage and use of chemical monitoring data in relation to humans and the environment. This paper describes the specific development of the IPCHEM thematic module "Products and Indoor Air Data" which aims to facilitate the retrieval of and access to existing and future chemical monitoring data sources stemming from e.g. national monitoring programs of EU Member States and EU funded projects. The current development focusses on harmonised data and metadata templates and code lists related to indoor air monitoring data. The extension and revision of the IPCHEM metadata and data collection templates for indoor air monitoring data was based on harmonisation and standardisation efforts on the development of indoor air monitoring protocols and guidelines for monitoring indoor pollution attributed to chemical and biological stressors, which were undertaken by European Commission Services, EU funded projects and research networks and EU Members States. A list of ten candidate data collections for potential integration were identified and prioritised. A different level of relevance was attributed to the enhanced metadata and data elements (mandatory, recommended, optional) to allow for their flexible applicability by end users. These elements should be provided for reaching the required quality in the data documentation as well as for ensuring a correct data traceability and interpretation. The proposed enhanced metadata and data models of the IPCHEM thematic module "Products and Indoor Air Data" can be used by data providers when planning and setting up their future indoor air monitoring campaigns, or to further mapping and harmonising data elements of their existing data collections for further integration into IPCHEM. This will boost the effective implementation of a coordinated approach for collecting, accessing and sharing existing and future indoor air monitoring data in support of policy making.

Response to comments on the Scientific Opinion on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Symbiosal® and lowering of blood pressure and reduced risk of hypertension pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to review the comments received on the Scientific Opinion of the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) on the scientific substantiation of a health claim related to Symbiosal® and lowering of blood pressure and reduced risk of hypertension pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Comments originating from the applicant (Han-Biotech GmbH) were submitted to EFSA via the European Commission Services. EFSA has reviewed the comments with the contribution of the chair of the NDA Working Group on Claims, the chair of the NDA Panel and the Working Group on Claims. In its opinion adopted on 27 June 2018, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) concluded that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of Symbiosal® and lowering of blood pressure. The comments received do not require any change in the conclusions of the NDA Panel.

Supporting hydrogen technologies deployment in EU regions and Member States: The Smart Specialisation Platform on Energy (S3PEnergy)

In order to maximise European, national and regional research and innovation potential the European Union is investing in these fields through different funding mechanisms such as the ESIF or H2020 programme. This investment plan is part of the European 2020 strategy, where the concept of Smart Specialisation is also included.Smart Specialisation is an innovation policy concept designed to promote the efficient and effective use of public investment in regional innovation in order to achieve economic growth. The Smart Specialisation Platform was created to support this concept by assisting regions and Member States in developing, implementing and reviewing their research and innovation Smart Specialisation strategies.The Smart Specialisation Platform comprises several thematic platforms. The thematic Smart Specialisation Platform on energy (S3PEnergy) is a joint initiative of three European Commission services: DG REGIO, DG ENER, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The main objective of the S3PEnergy is to support the optimal and effective uptake of the Cohesion Policy funds for energy, and to better align energy innovation activities at national, local and regional level through the identification of the technologies and innovative solutions that support in the most cost-effective way the EU energy policy priorities.In the particular case of hydrogen technologies, the activities of the platform are mainly focused on supporting the new Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) initiative involving regions and cities. To date, more than 80 European cities and regions have committed to participate in this initiative through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding, and more participants are expected to join. S3PEnergy is helping in the identification of potential combination of H2020 funding (provided through FCH JU) and ESIF.To identify potential synergies among these two funding sources, a mapping of the different ESIF opportunities has been performed. In order to map these opportunities, Operational Programmes (OPs) and research and innovation strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of the different European regions and Member States were analysed. The results of this mapping and analysis are presented in this paper.

Managing Ethics in the European Commission Services

This article adds to research on the regulation of standards of conduct in public administration. Specifically, it analyses attempts made during Siim Kallas’ mandate (2004–2009), to change the European Commission's approach to managing ethics, from a focus on control (inherited from the Kinnock reforms) to a ‘modern’ style based on guidance and shared values. Findings suggest that administrative practice fell short of delivering the change suggested by official discourse. The case of the Commission illustrates the practical challenges of operating shifts in organizational ethics management, and draws attention to the influence of the historical and political context of the reforms. The article uses a qualitative methodology, combining document analysis and in-depth interviews with ethics experts in the European Commission.

The European Forest Fire Information System in the context of environmental policies of the European Union

Since the mid-20th century, countries in Europe have been organized to record information on forest fires and their effects. These initiatives were established at regional and often national level, without major interaction among countries in Europe. With the expansion of the European Union in the 1980s, when Mediterranean countries were incorporated in the EU, the issue of forest fires increased in relevance, mainly due to the damages caused by fires in the natural areas of these countries. Initial EU policies related to fires date back to the 1980s, in which the European Union elaborated the first voluntary Regulations to support the development of forest fire information systems in the countries. Although EU environmental policies promoted the development of national systems, the first steps towards the development of a European fire information system did not take place until the late 1990s. Such a system was initially discussed between the European Commission services and the Member States in 1998. Although the development of the European Forest Fire Information System (EFFIS) started at this time, its official establishment came only in place with the publication of the Forest Focus regulation in 2003, which included within its implementation rules the reference to EFFIS. Since its establishment, EFFIS has influenced the further development of EU environmental policies on forest protection. It has further shaped the link of these to other forest and regional policies, which, although not fire-specific, did address the issue of damages caused by fires to the European environment and its population. The present article describes the steps in the development of the EU fire policies and EFFIS. It provides a synoptic view of how fires are included in different sectoral policies of the EU, and suggests ways in which the continuation of forest fire monitoring and management may be included in future European policies.

Compatibility of the SAFE FOODS Risk Analysis Framework with the legal and institutional settings of the EU and the WTO

This paper analyses the compatibility of the SAFE FOODS recommendations with the food safety governance systems of the EU and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), in which standard setting procedures of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) are considered most relevant. The objective is to better understand the implications from (1) the addition of formalised framing and evaluation stages to the risk analysis process and (2) the expansion of the scope of the risk assessment to comprise the distribution of risks, benefits and costs of regulatory measures. The paper concludes that these recommendations of the SAFE FOODS project are compatible to EU law provided they are fine-tuned to legal provisions on specific roles for agencies, EU Member States and the European Commission services. All recommendations are deemed largely compatible with the rules for procedure of the CAC.

Assessing Italy's Reform Challenges: What Do Growth Accounting and Structural Indicators Say?

Italy’s overall GDP growth has been dismal in recent years and this poor performance has been compounded by a declining trend in labour productivity and total factor productivity growth. This paper looks into growth accounting and structural indicators and analyses Italy’s performance against other European countries. We look at the evidence provided by newly available information from the Lisbon Assessment Framework (LAF) developed by the Working Group on Lisbon Methodology (LIME) attached to the Economic Policy Committee and the European Commission services (DG ECFIN). Building upon the results of existing literature, we investigate whether this new evidence is supported by data from other sources and provides fresh insight into Italy’s reform process. The main message from the analysis of growth accounting and structural indicators appears to be that Italy’s GDP growth significantly underperformed that of the EU15 in 2001-2007 notwithstanding progress on reforms.

The EC White Paper on a Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy.

The European Commission (EC) White Paper on a Strategy for a Future Chemicals Policy calls for the collection of adequate information about chemicals, in order to ensure their appropriate risk management. The White Paper proposes a stepwise and flexible approach to all chemicals produced in amounts above 1 tonne/year/manufacturer, including testing, if information cannot be provided by other means. The required information should be collected by the end of 2012. The EC services are currently preparing the drafts for the future chemicals legislation.

Evaluation of the European Union Programme of Community Action on Health Promotion, Information, Education and Training 1996-2000.

The Programme of Community Action on Health Promotion, Information, Education and Training 1996-2000 was administered by the European Commission's Services in DGV Luxembourg. The programme was a consequence of a decision of the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in March 1996. Middlesex University Health Research Centre won the tender to evaluate this programme. In this paper the evaluation team disseminate some of the findings that are pertinent to the international health promotion community. Key findings include significant differences in number of applications and in acceptance rates for different Member States. The expert assessors' opinions of the programme suggest a number of problems with its administration. Some projects were awarded commendably high ratings and others were very weak. The most serious weakness of many of the supported projects is lack of any internal evaluation. In order to broaden the scope of the second phase of the evaluation of this programme, more open communication and dialogue will be needed between all of the stakeholders. This implies a change in the culture of the European Commission's Services which, in the case of the units involved with this evaluation, are lacking in efficiency, openness and transparency.

ORGANIZATION AND NATIONALITY IN THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION SERVICES

Existing literature on the internal functioning of the European Commission services indicates that officials’nationality does have an impact on their policy‐making behaviour. Students of western national administrations on the other hand, have found the geographical and social backgrounds of officials to be highly insignificant. However, given the unresolved tension between intergovernmentalism and supranationalism in the European Union, this seeming inconsistency may be understandable. In this article, an effort is made to specify some of the organizational and policy‐related conditions under which nationality might be particularly important in order to understand decision behaviour. Interview data gathered from 38 Norwegian officials who had been seconded to the Commission are used to make an explorative appraisal of the assumptions put forth.

Certification of reference materials by European Commission services

The programmes of the European Commission for the certification of reference materials are presented: the Standards, Measurement and Testing Programme (formerly “BCR Programme”) funds research and development aiming at improved ability to measure and at improved comparability of measurements; reference materials result from many of its projects; the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (formerly “CBNM”) prepares some of these, stores nearly all of them, will distribute them from 1995 on and certifies some additional ones. The principles adopted for the certification of “BCR” reference materials are explained. The procedure for a typical matrix reference material is that a group of laboratories first refines their methods (e.g. by intercomparisons and technical discussion) until they achieve agreement of results to within random experimental error and then analyses the reference material; certified value and uncertainty are calculated on the basis of their results. Recent achievements and projects in progress are listed.