The report recommends that the Animal By-Product (ABP) Regulation needs to be more complete and satisfactory for cosmetics and medicinal products.
It specifies that a 'more complete and satisfactory solution to simplify the application for the Regulation' of such products to make it more appropriate to the risk, necessitates change.
The report goes on to highlight that some Member States have in particular expressed concerns about the requirements of the ABP Regulations for certain materials that fall into this category of products, namely those that only require minor handling, such as mixing, packaging or labelling.
Further to this a draft proposal is being laid down to ensure that such materials are suitable to place on the market, and should be ready for adoption by the end of 2005. More specifically, the proposal outlines that the list of third countries from which the importation of such materials is allowed should be reviewed.
The Animal By-Products Regulation 1774, was bought into force at the end of 2002, following a perceived risk of the spread of disease due to the outbreaks of Swine Fever in 2000 and BSE in 2001.
Under the Regulation, a follow-up report was necessary to ensure that the law was being implemented satisfactory by all member states. Originally the report was supposed to be ready last year, but with the enlargement of Europe, feedback has taken longer to gather from new member states.
The report will now be forwarded on to the European Council and Parliament by the end of October. Likewise feedback will be gathered from the industry and other interested parties, which can be directed through the Commission.