Draft Commission Implementing Regulation suspending the authorisation of ethoxyquin as a feed additive for all animal species and categories (Text with EEA relevance)

The draft measure suspends the existing authorisation of ethoxyquin used as antioxidant feed additive for all animal species, since the conditions for authorisation laid down by the relevant EU legislation are no longer met. According to the opinion of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) of 21 October 2015, there is an overall lack of data submitted to assess the exposure and the safety of ethoxyquin for animals, consumers and the environment. In addition, several potential safety concerns are raised: at least one of the additive's metabolites, ethoxyquin quinone imine, could be genotoxic. Also, the impurity p-phenetidine, which remains in the additive, is a possible mutagen.

The draft suspension act is accompanied by transitional measures in order to allow operators to adapt to the withdrawal obligation.

The suspension measure will be reviewed by 31 December 2020 at the latest.