EFSA issues call for tender to aid CEF panel

The opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF Panel) is required before a substance is authorised to be used in food contact materials and be included in a positive list in legislation.

EFSA receives requests from Member State authorities submitted by industry, for the evaluation or re-evaluation of substances.

Applications are supported by a technical dossier which contain physico-chemical data, including migration, and information on use and toxicity data.

CEF Panel role​

The CEF Panel has to evaluate the applications and provide a scientific opinion within six months.

The aim of the procurement procedure is to arrange framework contracts for one year with automatic renewal up to three times for a maximum of four consecutive years.

The contracts will be judged on methodology proposed for implementation, project management, measures to guarantee quality of deliverables and measures to meet deadlines.

Lot details​

The watchdog issued the tender for two lots:

• The objective of lot 1 is to prepare Summary Datasheets (SDS) of non-toxicity data such as physical, chemical and exposure (migration/composition) data for the technical dossiers of substances, to be used in plastics or other food contact materials (including active and intelligent packaging), seeking evaluation or re-evaluation by the CEF Panel.

• The objective of lot 2 is to prepare Summary Datasheets (SDS) of toxicity data for technical dossiers of substances, to be used in plastics or other food contact materials (including active and intelligent packaging), seeking evaluation or re-evaluation by the CEF Panel.

Exposure data required in Lot 1 includes identity of substance, physical and chemical properties, intended applications and data on migration and on residual content in food contact material.

Lot 2 includes toxicological studies such as genotoxicty in the form of in vitro and in vivo tests, general toxicity, systematic exposure and immunotoxicity.

The deadline for applications is 7 February 2013 with notification of the results expected in the first half of March and contract signature later in the month.

To read more about how to apply click HERE​.