Official Control Regulations
The official controls regulation 625/2017 addresses official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare and plant protection.
The updated regulation adds new provisions to three aspects:
In principle, official controls will be conducted without prior notice, although there may be cases when competent authorities may decide to notify the operator beforehand or to conduct checks on an ad hoc basis. The frequency of checks must be appropriate to the level of risk.
A new provision adds the obligation for competent authorities to avoid disproportionate administrative burden for operators, whilst operators have an obligation to grant access to the authorities of official controls.
Regulation (EC) 691/2013
Sampling procedures plays a key role in the implementation of the Official Controls regulation. This aspect is covered by Regulation (EC) 691/2013 which concerns sampling rules for the determination of constituents, additives, and undesirable substances, with the notable exception of residues of microorganisms and pesticides.
EU Supervision of Member States
The Commission department, DG SANTE, Directorate General for Health and Food Safety, supervises the official controls carried out by member states in the frame of the Multi-Annual National Control Plans, MANCPs, in order to check their compliance with EU standards. The MANCPs contain general information on the structure and organization of the systems of feed and food control, and of animal health and animal welfare control. Furthermore, the plans must specify the instruments and structures, including the personnel and material resources available for the fulfilment of the objectives.
What we would like you to do
Please discuss the official controls regulation:
- Do you trust in the monitoring and control measures in place to ensure the integrity of our food chain? Why / Why not?
Understanding Food Supply Chains in a Time of Crisis
Understanding Food Supply Chains in a Time of Crisis
Reach your personal and professional goals
Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.
Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.
