European Commission Research Articles

Understanding Stakeholder Perspectives: Towards the Design of a Serious Game for Positive Energy Districts

Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) are highly energy-efficient urban areas that manage a surplus production of renewable energy. Recognising the key role they can play in the transition to a less carbon-dependent society, the European Commission launched its PED Programme in 2018, to implement and support the development of PEDs. However, as PEDs are still a relatively new concept, their implementation can be challenging, and local administrators often lack clear guidance and reference points for their design, implementation and evaluation. To address this issue, the Positive RObust PEd Localities (PROPEL) project has among its main objectives the design of a serious game to provide practical insights and user-friendly tools for local administrators interested in implementing and developing PEDs. Indeed, by drawing on the power of digital games to set goals and allow the player to autonomously define a strategy to achieve them within a set of constraints, serious games can be a very powerful tool to support local administrators in their decision-making process, enabling them to explore multiple scenarios and to evaluate the results of their choices. This paper outlines the design principles and the main features of a serious game aimed at supporting local administrators in the implementation of PEDs. These design principles and features are derived from a research process comprising several steps. Firstly, the drivers and barriers to the adoption of a serious game among local administrators were identified. This was done through in-depth interviews with local administrators and PEDs experts from the different countries involved in the PROPEL project, namely Italy, Sweden, and Turkey. Secondly, a comparative analysis of serious games developed for related research purposes was carried out. This provided further suggestions for the features of the serious game. The findings underscore the significance of incorporating real data, adopting a modular structure to emulate the systemic complexity of PEDs, and ensuring accessibility across multiple devices as paramount features that the serious game should have.

The technopolitics of border security R&D: Shaping the EU’s border in the Security Research Programme

Technologies are predominantly understood as ‘solutions’ for policy problems in EU border control. This has prompted increased political attention to research and development (R&D) of ‘innovative’ security technologies. The European Commission has continuously increased its spending on the development of security devices in the Security Research Programme; at the same time, border security institutions such as Frontex or eu-LISA have worked to amplify their influence on shaping security research in the EU’s Research Framework Programmes. Against this backdrop, this article develops the argument that R&D is a political practice of ‘making’ and governing the border through its entanglement with the politics of border security in the EU. By conceptualizing R&D as ‘borderwork’, the article interrogates how practices of security R&D inscribes specific logics into EU border security and control. In doing this, it also problematizes how R&D locks in exclusionary dichotomies and categorizations of mobilities through privileging security actors in the process. Based on qualitative interviews, the article provides an in-depth analysis of political processes through which R&D programmes and projects materialize at policymaking, implementing and operational levels. Through this, the article explores comprehensively how political logics of bordering are constantly shaping and simultaneously renegotiated in R&D.

Navigating Contradictory Demands: An Analysis of Corporate Responses to Regulatory Hardening

AbstractMandatory due diligence has become increasingly common to address the harmful impacts of corporations, forcing them to navigate hardened regulatory requirements. This article focuses on the responses of large Swedish companies to the European Commission’s proposal for a Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. Drawing on critical theory, it aims to understand how companies navigate the contradictory dynamic between profitability and sustainability. The findings highlight that companies, for the most part, accept hardened demands for sustainability—but the closer to corporate practice their responses get, the more they oppose and reject these demands. The article discusses how these responses follow a neoliberal logic of regulation, and draw attention to the inherent instability of this logic, as companies struggle to find a position in which they can be both sustainable and profitable.

Fuel consumption and exhaust emissions from Euro 6d vehicles fueled by innovative LPG/DME blend

The aim of this research was to investigate the exhaust emissions from vehicles when fueled by a new and fully renewable fuel if made of bio-LPG and renewable dimethyl ether (DME), in comparison with standard gasoline. For this purpose, DME was mixed with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and used to fuel three bi-fuel LPG/gasoline spark-ignition engines light-duty vehicles. The suitable fuel blend was selected based on several octane tests using CFR engines. Exhaust emissions were tested over the WLTC and over the hot-start CADC cycles, as well as on the road. All Euro 6 standards were well fully met over the WLTC with both fuels. Switching from gasoline to LPG/DME fueling, the CO and NOx emission factors increased for two vehicles, whereas THC and NMHC decreased. Regarding particulates, for two vehicles the emission factors decreased, too. Generally, when the vehicles were driven on the CADC, lower gaseous emissions were observed compared to WLTC: excluding one vehicle, when switching from gasoline to LPG/DME fueling, the overall emission profiles reflected those of the same vehicles run on the WLTC. The unregulated particulate emissions measured over both testing cycles reflect what was detected for the regulated ones. Except for PN10, which was not measured, all regulated emissions were found to meet the (most severe) Euro 7 standards proposed at first by the European Commission. RDE tests showed that all vehicle emissions obtained from on-road tests were also found to meet the RDE standards, regardless of the fueling. Concerning CO2 emissions, LPG/DME fueling guaranteed a systematic decrease for all vehicles and cycles, both on road and in the laboratory. The present investigation aims at demonstrating that the innovative LPG/DME 80 %/20 % (m/m) blend not only can be deemed as potentially suitable for GHG emissions reduction, as long as both DME and propane are obtained from renewable sources, but even compliant with EN 589 and both Euro 6 and part of preliminary Euro 7 exhaust emission proposal.

Levels of organochlorine pesticides in the chewable and leftover parts of the khat (Catha edulis) sold in local markets of Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the residual levels of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in chewable (tender leaves) and leftovers (mature leaves) of khat sold in local markets in Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia. Samples were collected from various local khat market places in Jimma town, based on their growing origin. A modified QuEChERS method was used to extract pesticides from the samples before their analysis by GC‒MS. The findings indicated that p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p’-DDE) and p,p’-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p’-DDT) were detected in 88.3% and 76.6% of chewable samples, and in 86% and 69% of khat leftovers samples. The p,p’-DDE and p,p’-DDT levels found in chewable khat ranged from 10.12–45.39 and 8.53–34.15 µg/kg, respectively. While in leftover khat they ranged from 30.12–45.04 and 6.73–32.16 µg/kg, respectively. It was found that the concentration of p,p’-DDE is greater than its precursor compound p,p’-DDT for each sample, indicating past use of DDT in the study area. None of the detected analytes exceeded the maximum residue level (MRL) values established by the FAO/WHO or European Commission (EC) of 50 µg/kg. However, no information is available regarding these pesticides’ collective and synergetic negative impacts on consumers.

Emotional competence self-help app versus cognitive behavioural self-help app versus self-monitoring app to prevent depression in young adults with elevated risk (ECoWeB PREVENT): an international, multicentre, parallel, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Effective, scalable interventions are needed to prevent poor mental health in young people. Although mental health apps can provide scalable prevention, few have been rigorously tested in high-powered trials built on models of healthy emotional functioning or tailored to individual profiles. We aimed to test a personalised emotional competence app versus a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) self-help app versus a self-monitoring app to prevent an increase in depression symptoms in young people. This multicentre, parallel, open-label, randomised controlled trial, within a cohort multiple randomised trial (including a parallel trial of wellbeing promotion) was done at four university trial sites in the UK, Germany, Spain, and Belgium. Participants were recruited from schools, universities, and social media from the four respective countries. Eligible participants were aged 16-22 years with increased vulnerability indexed by baseline emotional competence profile, without current or past diagnosis of major depression. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1:1) to usual practice plus either the personalised emotional competence self-help app, the generic CBT self-help app, or the self-monitoring app by an independent computerised system, minimised by country, age, and self-reported gender, and followed up for 12 months post-randomisation. Outcome assessors were masked to group allocation. The primary outcome was depression symptoms (according to Patient Health Questionnaire-9 [PHQ-9]) at 3-month follow-up, analysed in participants who completed the 3-month follow-up assessment. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04148508, and is closed. Between Oct 15, 2020, and Aug 3, 2021, 1262 participants were enrolled, including 417 to the emotional competence app, 423 to the CBT app, and 422 to the self-monitoring app. Mean age was 18·8 years (SD 2·0). Of 1262 participants self-reporting gender, 984 (78·0%) were female, 253 (20·0%) were male, 15 (1·2%) were neither, and ten (0·8%) were both. 178 participants in the emotional competence app group, 191 in the CBT app group, and 199 in the self-monitoring app group completed the follow-up assessment at 3 months. At 3 months, depression symptoms were lower with the CBT app than the self-monitoring app (mean difference in PHQ-9 -1·18 [95% CI -2·01 to -0·34]; p=0·006), but depression symptoms did not differ between the emotional competence app and the CBT app (0·63 [-0·22 to 1·49]; p=0·15) or the self-monitoring app and emotional competence app (-0·54 [-1·39 to 0·31]; p=0·21). 31 of the 541 participants who completed any of the follow-up assessments received treatment in hospital or were admitted to hospital for mental health-related reasons considered unrelated to interventions (eight in the emotional competence app group, 15 in the CBT app group, and eight in the self-monitoring app group). No deaths occurred. The CBT app delayed increases in depression symptoms in at-risk young people relative to the self-monitoring app, although this benefit faded by 12 months. Against hypotheses, the emotional competence app was not more effective at reducing depression symptoms than the self-monitoring app. CBT self-help apps might be valuable public mental health interventions for young people given their scalability, non-consumable nature, and affordability. European Commission.

Emotional competence self-help mobile phone app versus cognitive behavioural self-help app versus self-monitoring app to promote mental wellbeing in healthy young adults (ECoWeB PROMOTE): an international, multicentre, parallel, open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Based on evidence that mental health is more than an absence of mental disorders, there have been calls to find ways to promote flourishing at a population level, especially in young people, which requires effective and scalable interventions. Despite their potential for scalability, few mental wellbeing apps have been rigorously tested in high-powered trials, derived from models of healthy emotional functioning, or tailored to individual profiles. We aimed to test a personalised emotional competence self-help app versus a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) self-help app versus a self-monitoring app to promote mental wellbeing in healthy young people. This international, multicentre, parallel, open-label, randomised controlled trial within a cohort multiple randomised trial (including a parallel trial of depression prevention) was done at four university trial sites in four countries (the UK, Germany, Spain, and Belgium). Participants were recruited from schools and universities and via social media from the four respective countries. Eligible participants were aged 16-22 years with well adjusted emotional competence profiles and no current or past diagnosis of major depression. Participants were randomised (1:1:1) to usual practice plus either the emotional competence app, the CBT app or the self-monitoring app, by an independent computerised system, minimised by country, age, and self-reported gender, and followed up for 12 months post-randomisation. The primary outcome was mental wellbeing (indexed by the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale [WEMWBS]) at 3-month follow-up, analysed in participants who completed the 3-month follow-up assessment. Outcome assessors were masked to group allocation. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04148508, and is closed. Between Oct 15, 2020, and Aug 3, 2021, 2532 participants were enrolled, and 847 were randomly assigned to the emotional competence app, 841 to the CBT app, and 844 to the self-monitoring app. Mean age was 19·2 years (SD 1·8). Of 2532 participants self-reporting gender, 1896 (74·9%) were female, 613 (24·2%) were male, 16 (0·6%) were neither, and seven (0·3%) were both. 425 participants in the emotional competence app group, 443 in the CT app group, and 447 in the self-monitoring app group completed the follow-up assessment at 3 months. There was no difference in mental wellbeing between the groups at 3 months (global p=0·47). The emotional competence app did not differ from the CBT app (mean difference in WEMWBS -0·21 [95% CI -1·08 to 0·66]) or the self-monitoring app (0·32 [-0·54 to 1·19]) and the CBT app did not differ from the self-monitoring app (0·53 [-0·33 to 1·39]). 14 of 1315 participants were admitted to or treated in hospital (or both) for mental health-related reasons, which were considered unrelated to the interventions (five participants in the emotional competence app group, eight in the CBT app group, and one in the self-monitoring app group). No deaths occurred. The emotional competence app and the CBT app provided limited benefit in promoting mental wellbeing in healthy young people. This finding might reflect the low intensity of these interventions and the difficulty improving mental wellbeing via universal digital interventions implemented in low-risk populations. European Commission.

Vibroacoustic simulation for truck tire tread noise prediction

In the last years, the introduction to the market of electric vehicles and a new labeling system introduced by the European Commission raised a strong interest in the noise produced by the tire-road interaction. The reduction of noise emissions became a strong challenge for the tire manufacturers that are constantly in need of developing new simulation tools capable of predicting the noise emitted by a tire. In this paper, the application of a simulation methodology capable of predicting the noise performance of a tire is shown and validated by means of experimental data. The experimental activities consisted of the acquisitions of noise produced by three truck tires made up of a particular tread pattern in which a single geometric feature is analyzed in each configuration, in a near field indoor condition. The simulation process aims to faithfully reproduce the procedure of the experimental test and involves the use of non-linear explicit finite element analysis followed by a vibroacoustic simulation to account for the radiated noise by structural vibrations and fluid-pumping.

Exploring the connection between EU-funded research and methodological approaches: insights from a retrospective analysis

BackgroundOver the last two decades, substantial investments have been directed towards supporting fundamental and applied research in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), breast cancer (BC), and prostate cancer (PC), which continue to pose significant health challenges. Recently, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC) conducted a retrospective analysis to examine the major scientific advancements resulting from EU-funded research in these disease areas and their impact on society.MethodsBuilding upon this analysis, our subsequent investigation delves into the methodological approaches—both animal and non-animal models and methods—employed in AD, BC, and PC research funded under past EU framework programs (FP5, FP6, FP7, and H2020), and explored the notable research outputs associated with these approaches.ResultsOur findings indicate a prevalent use of animal-based methodologies in AD research, particularly evident in projects funded under H2020. Notably, projects focused on drug development, testing, or repurposing heavily relied on animal models. Conversely, research aimed at clinical trial design, patient stratification, diagnosis and diagnostic tool development, lifestyle interventions, and prevention—outputs with potential societal impact—more frequently utilised non-animal methods. Advanced investigations leveraging imaging, computational tools, biomarker discovery and organ/tissue chip technologies predominantly favoured non-animal strategies.ConclusionsThese insights highlight a correlation between methodological choices and the translational potential of research outcomes, suggesting the need for a reconsideration of research strategy planning in future framework programs.

Measuring NOx during periodic technical inspection of diesel vehicles

BackgroundAll light-duty (LD) and heavy-duty (HD) vehicles circulating in the European Union undergo regular checks during mandatory periodic technical inspections (PTI). These inspections promote road safety and environmental protection. Vehicles with defective deNOx aftertreatment systems can result in high emissions of NOx, which is an important air pollutant. The ongoing revision of the “so-called” Roadworthiness Package by the European Commission propose including a new method for measuring NOx from vehicles’ exhaust during PTI (NOx-PTI).ResultsThe results obtained showed an increase in NOx emissions, 8 to 28 times, when the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit was not working. The applicability of the NOx-PTI idling test procedure to Euro VI HD vehicles was also investigated satisfactorily. Furthermore, methods to warm-up the vehicle’s aftertreatment prior to the NOx-PTI idling test, including standing still free accelerations and urban speed drives, as well as systems conditions before the test, were studied. Five different NOx analysers were assessed against reference equipment to ensure the accuracy of NOx measurements to assess their suitability for PTI purposes. The findings indicate that an urban speed drive is suitable for warming up both LD and HD vehicles. The tested analysers appeared to be suitable for use in PTI.ConclusionsThe high NOx emissions recorded when the SCR unit was not working, and their potential environmental impact, highlight the importance of a PTI test capable of detecting malfunctioning vehicles. The study demonstrated that the idle test procedure, testing conditions, and NOx analysers used were effective in performing a NOx-PTI check on both light- and heavy-duty Diesel vehicles, successfully discriminating between functioning and malfunctioning SCR systems.

Unlocking the secrets of Neapolitan pizza: A concise review of wood-fired, electric, and gas pizza ovens.

This review explores the Neapolitan pizza baking process in a traditional wood-fired oven, employing visual color analysis and IR thermal scanning to detail heat exchange mechanisms. During cooking, the oven floor temperature in the pizza area decreased proportionally to the pizza's mass, whereas the free area maintained a constant temperature of 439±3°C. An IR thermal camera indicated that the oven dome temperature reached approximately 480°C with a weak flame and 500°C with a strong flame. The pizza's bottom achieved a maximum temperature of 100±9°C, facilitated by the Pizzaiolo's skill in lifting and rotating the pizza for uniform cooking. Top temperatures varied: up to 180°C for white pizza and 84°C and 67°C for tomato and Margherita pizzas, respectively. IRIS electronic eye analysis revealed more browning and blackening on the pizza's top compared to its bottom, with peaks of about 26% and 8% for white pizza, respectively. Rapid baking is pivotal in Neapolitan pizza-making, necessitating precise heat and mass transfer management to influence sensory attributes. European Commission Regulation No. 97/2010 mandates wood-fired ovens for true Neapolitan pizza, but environmental concerns prompted the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana to certify gas or electric ovens when wood-fired ovens are impractical. Operating costs vary: liquefied petroleum gas ovens are the costliest, with costs ranging from €5.38 to €6.19/h, whereas natural gas and electric ovens have operating costs between €2.70 and €4.10/h. At €0.15/kg, firewood is the most economical, supporting traditionalist views. However, natural gas and electric ovens present competitive costs under stringent antipollution laws, making them viable alternatives.

Stakeholders and impact (engagement) in EU digital communication strategies during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign

The European Union has navigated numerous complex and multifaceted crises in recent years, including Brexit, refugee challenges, and economic turmoil. The COVID-19 pandemic has added a global-scale event with significant implications, elevating public health protection as a central priority for the EU. This study aims to examine the personalization (stakeholders involved), impact, and digital engagement resulting from diverse communication strategies on Twitter during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign by key EU institutions. Employing a primarily quantitative approach, the research conducts a content analysis that categorizes both quantitative and qualitative elements to explore various variables and engagement indicators in the official accounts of the European Commission, European Parliament, and European Council. The findings suggest that, while the vaccination campaign saw a substantial volume of posts from these profiles, they fell short in engaging, mobilizing, and attracting audiences on Twitter, highlighting enduring challenges in EU message management and dissemination, as identified in previous studies.

Running out the digital clock: transatlantic privacy politics and veto points in time

ABSTRACT Why does the European Commission continue to sign onto unstable international data flow agreements with the United States? After two agreements were struck down by the European Court of Justice, and clear signals that a new one could meet a similar fate, the European Commission agreed to the Data Privacy Framework. To make sense of this behavior, we connect traditional work on veto points with work on historical institutionalism to highlight an international negotiation strategy – running out the clock. While traditional veto points literature suggests multiple institutions with varying preferences will limit the set of potential policies or their adoption, we highlight how these dynamics change when considering veto points in time. We showcase our argument by building three historical narratives detailing the negotiation of the successive data flow agreements. Our findings have important implications for the future of the transatlantic privacy regime as well as negotiation dynamics.

HARMONIZATION OF THE LEGAL REGULATIONS FOR THE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OF THE REPUBLIC OF NORTH MACEDONIA WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION ACQUIS

Intellectual property (IP), as a form of property that includes the products of the human mind, is an integral part of the economic criteria that the European Commission examines when screening local legislation. The decision of the European Council in 2020 to open accession negotiations with the Republic of North Macedonia, meant that the analytical examination of the acquis (screening) would begin, which happened in 2022. The finding made in the report is that no progress was made on intellectual property law. It also emphasizes the imperative need for progress to be achieved in the coming years in order for North Macedonia to meet the European Union's requirements which would lead to the harmonization of internal legislation with that of the European Union (EU). Aware of the unsatisfactory condition of legal regulation and activity in the field of intellectual property rights, the Government of North Macedonia, one year before the start of the screening process, approved the National Strategy for Intellectual Property for the next six-year period (2022-2026). This Strategy not only provides an overview of the real situation, but also defines the goals to be achieved, as well as the means and methods for achieving the respective goals. The author, through analysis and synthesis in this empirical study, provides a clear overview of the current state of legislation and the practice of implementing intellectual property rights in the light of the latest European Commission Report on North Macedonia published in November 2023.

PROMOTION AND PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS: INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN NORTH MACEDONIA

North Macedonia’s accession negotiations are conditioned by the country’s progress on fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria. Respect for human rights, defined as one of the founding values of European Union, it is associated with the fundamental political criteria for full membership for every candidate state. In the Progress Report for 2022, European Commission raised the concerns that North Macedonia had made “limited progress in improving the rights of persons with disabilities”. Considering that the country since its independence ratified several international treaties on human rights and assumed obligation not only to guarantee but also to protect the fundamental human rights, in this paper will be analyzed: the national legal framework on the protection of the fundamental rights of persons with disabilities, national strategies on the rights of persons with disabilities, and national policies on the integration of persons with disabilities. The purpose of this study it is to analyze the responsibilities and commitment of the state authorities in providing equal rights and opportunities for persons with disabilities, especially focusing on the access of women with disability to the labor market and access of children and young people with disability to education. The research it is in-depth analysis and guided by two research questions: What are the responsibilities of North Macedonia as a candidate country in promoting and enforcing the rights of persons with disabilities? What have done North Macedonia for social inclusion of persons with disabilities.

HERA-lding More Integration in Health? Examining the Discursive Legitimation of the European Commission's New Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority

Context: Since COVID-19, the European Commission (EC) has sought to expand its activities in health through the development of a European Health Union and within it the Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). Methods: The authors applied a discourse analysis to documents establishing HERA to investigate how the EC legitimated the creation of this institution. They focused on how it framed health emergencies, how it framed the added value of HERA, and how it linked HERA to existing EU activities and priorities. Findings: Their analysis demonstrates that security-based logics have been central to the EC's legitimation of HERA in alignment with a “securitization of health” occurring worldwide in recent decades. This legitimation can be understood as part of the EC's effort to promote future integration in health in the absence of new competences. Conclusions: Securitization has helped the EC raise its profile in health politically without additional competences, thereby laying the groundwork for potential future integration. Looking at the discursive legitimation of HERA sheds light not only on whether the EC is expanding its health powers but also how it strategizes to do so. HERA, while constrained, allows the EC to further deepen security-driven integration in health.

Safety of a feed additive consisting of 3-phytase produced with Komagataella phaffii CECT 13171 (FSF10000/FLF1000) for poultry species, pigs for fattening and minor porcine species for fattening (Fertinagro Biotech S.L.).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety of the feed additive consisting of 3-phytase produced with a genetically modified strain of Komagataella phaffii (CECT 13171). The additive is intended to be used as a zootechnical additive for poultry species, pigs for fattening and minor porcine species for fattening. In a previous opinion, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substance used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) Panel could not conclude on the taxonomic identification of the production strain. Moreover, the presence of viable cells of the production strain in the final formulations of the product could not be excluded. Therefore, no conclusions could be drawn on the safety for the target species, consumers, users and environment. In the present submission, the applicant provided supplementary information regarding the characterisation of the production strain and the absence of its viable cells in the final product. Based on the data provided, the identification of CECT 13171 as K. phaffii was confirmed and no viable cells of the production strain were detected in the final formulations of the additive. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the 3-phytase produced with the genetically modified strain K. phaffii CECT 13171 does not give rise to any safety concern as regard to the production strain. Consequently, the additive, in both its liquid and solid formulations, is safe for the target species, consumers, users and environment.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the flowering tops of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. (Spanish type origanum oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil from the flowering tops of Thymbra capitata (L.) Cav. (Spanish type origanum oil) when used as a sensory additive in feed and in water for drinking for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive under assessment is considered safe up to the maximum use level in complete feed of 15 mg/kg for poultry species, 30 mg/kg for pigs and horses, 20 mg/kg for ruminants, 25 mg/kg for rabbits, dogs, cats and ornamental fish, and 125 mg/kg for salmonids. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For any other species, the additive is safe at 15 mg/kg complete feed. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use level in water for drinking is safe provided that the total daily intake of the additive does not exceed the daily amount that is considered safe when consumed via feed. The use of the additive in animal feed under the proposed conditions of use is safe for the consumer and the environment. Regarding user safety, the essential oil under assessment should be considered as an irritant to skin and eyes and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Since T. capitata and its preparations were recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase produced with Trichoderma reesei CBS 114044 (ECONASE® XT) for pigs for fattening, laying hens and minor poultry species (AB Enzymes Finland Oy)

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a product containing endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase (ECONASE® XT) as a zootechnical feed additive (digestibility enhancer) for pigs for fattening, laying hens and minor poultry species. ECONASE® XT is available in two liquid and three solid forms and is produced with a genetically modified strain of Trichoderma reesei (CBS 114044). The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the genetic modification of the production strain does not raise any safety concerns, and viable cells of the production strain and its DNA were not detected in the final products. The Panel also concluded that ECONASE® XT is safe for pigs for fattening, laying hens and minor poultry species at the proposed conditions of use. The use of the additive raises no safety concerns for the consumers of products derived from animals fed with the additive or for the environment. The liquid and solid forms of ECONASE® XT are non‐irritant to the skin, but only the liquid forms were confirmed as non‐irritant to the eyes and not dermal sensitisers. The Panel could not conclude on the irritation potential to the eyes and the dermal sensitisation potential for the solid forms. Due to the proteinaceous nature of the active substance, the additive is considered to be a respiratory sensitiser. The additive has the potential to be efficacious in pigs for fattening at 20,000 BXU/kg complete feed, in all laying poultry species at 12,000 BXU/kg complete feed and in minor poultry species other than laying birds at 8000 BXU/kg complete feed.

Assessment of the feed additive consisting of a preparation containing a smoke flavouring extract for cats and dogs for the renewal of the authorisation (Azelis Denmark A/S)

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for the renewal of authorisation of a preparation containing a smoke flavouring extract for cats and dogs. The applicant provided data demonstrating that the additive currently on the market does not fully comply with the conditions of authorisation, but with newly proposed specifications based on different analytical methods. Considering that the additive under assessment contains benzofuran and styrene, for which a potential concern for genotoxicity has been identified, and that the whole mixture raises a potential concern for genotoxicity, additional data would be needed to complete the assessment. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to conclude on the safety for cats and dogs. The additive is authorised for use in feed for cats and dogs, and therefore, there is no need to perform an assessment of the safety for the consumer and the environment. Regarding user safety, the additive should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. When handling the additive, exposure of unprotected users to potential genotoxic substances may occur. Therefore, to reduce the risk, the exposure of the users should be minimised. There was no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.