Date: 2020-01-24Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/107 of 23 January 2020 concerning the authorisation of ponceau 4R as a feed additive for dogs, cats and ornamental fish (Text with EEA relevance)
Issued by European Commission
· Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety
**Executive Summary:**
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/107 authorises Ponceau 4R as a sensory feed additive (colourant) for dogs, cats, and ornamental fish. It specifies conditions of use and labelling, and sets maximum content levels. Transitional measures allow for the continued use of existing stocks produced and labelled under previous regulations until exhausted, with deadlines of August 13, 2020, and February 13, 2022, respectively. The authorisation is valid until February 13, 2030.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **Authorisation:** Ponceau 4R is authorised as a feed additive for dogs, cats, and ornamental fish, classified as a sensory additive (colourant).
* **Additive Category and Functional Group:** Sensory additives; Colourants.
* **Conditions of Use:**
* Directions for use of the additive and premixture must include storage conditions and stability to heat treatment.
* Feed business operators must establish operational procedures and organizational measures to address potential risks.
* If risks cannot be eliminated or minimized, personal protective equipment (eye, skin, oral, and breathing protection) must be used.
* **Specifications (Ponceau 4R):**
* Description: Described as the sodium salt as the principal component. Solid form powder or granules
* Purity Criteria: Specified for total colouring matters, subsidiary colouring matter, organic compounds, and unsulfonated primary aromatic amines.
* **Maximum Content:**
* Cats: 31 mg/kg of complete feedingstuff
* Dogs: 37 mg/kg of complete feedingstuff
* Ornamental fish: 137 mg/kg of complete feedingstuff
* **Analytical Methods:** Spectrophotometry and titration with Titanous chloride/ High performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LCMSMS) are specified for quantification.
* **Validity:** Authorisation valid until February 13, 2030.
* **Transitional Measures:**
* Substances and premixtures produced and labelled before August 13, 2020, under previous rules, may continue to be placed on the market and used until existing stocks are exhausted.
* Feed materials and compound feed containing the substance, produced and labelled before February 13, 2022, under previous rules, may continue to be placed on the market and used until existing stocks are exhausted.
**Impact Analysis:**
* **Feed Additive Manufacturers:**
* *Impact:* Must comply with the new specifications and conditions of use for Ponceau 4R.
* *Action Required:* Update production and labeling processes, implement risk management procedures, and ensure compliance with analytical methods.
* **Feed Business Operators (including Premixture Manufacturers):**
* *Impact:* Must establish operational procedures and organizational measures to address potential risks to users of the additive and premixtures
* *Action Required:* Implement risk management procedures, potentially including the use of personal protective equipment.
* **Users of the Additive:**
* *Impact:* May need to use personal protective equipment when handling Ponceau 4R.
* *Action Required:* Follow established operational procedures and use appropriate personal protective equipment.
* **EU Member States:**
* *Impact:* Must ensure the regulation is applied and enforced within their jurisdiction.
* *Action Required:* Incorporate the regulation into national law and monitor compliance.
Key Entities Referenced
European Commission: The executive branch of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, and managing the EU's budget.
Ponceau 4R: A synthetic red food coloring, also used as a feed additive for animals.
Regulation EC No 1831/2003: A regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on additives for use in animal nutrition.
European Parliament: The parliamentary body of the European Union, directly elected by EU citizens.
Council of the European Union: A body representing the governments of the EU member states.
Council Directive 70/524/EEC: A directive concerning additives in feedingstuffs.
European Food Safety Authority: An agency of the European Union that provides independent scientific advice on food-related risks.
Commission Regulation EC No 429/2008: Commission Regulation on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation EC No 1831/2003
L 19/18 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union 24.1.2020
COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2020/107
of 23 January 2020
concerning the authorisation of ponceau 4R as a feed additive for dogs, cats and ornamental fish
(Text with EEA relevance)
THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 September 2003 on
additives for use in animal nutrition(1), and in particular Article 9(2) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 provides for the authorisation of additives for use in animal nutrition and for the
grounds and procedures for granting such authorisation. Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 provides
for the re-evaluation of additives authorised pursuant to Council Directive 70/524/EEC(2).
(2) Ponceau 4R was authorised without a time limit in accordance with Directive 70/524/EEC as a feed additive for
ornamental fish belonging to the group ‘colourants, including pigments’, under the heading ‘other colourants’. It
was also authorised without a time limit as a feed additive for dogs and cats belonging to the group ‘colourants,
including pigments’, under the heading ‘colouring agents authorised for colouring foodstuffs by Community rules’.
The additive was subsequently entered in the Register of feed additives as an existing product, in accordance with
Article 10(1)(b) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.
(3) In accordance with Article 10(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 in conjunction with Article 7 thereof, an
application was submitted for the re-evaluation of ponceau 4R as a feed additive for ornamental fish and for dogs
and cats. The applicant requested the additive to be classified in the additive category ‘sensory additive’ and in the
functional group ‘colourants’. The application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under
Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.
(4) The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 6 March 2018(3) that, under the
proposed conditions of use, ponceau 4R does not have an adverse effect on animal health. It also concluded that the
inhalation exposure to additive is regarded as hazardous for the user of the additive and that no conclusion could be
drawn on the irritancy potential to skin or eyes and on the skin sensitation. Therefore, the Commission considers
that appropriate protective measures should be taken to prevent adverse effects on human health, in particular as
regards the users of the additive. In accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 429/2008(4), phase I of the
environmental risk assessment has determined that ponceau 4R, as an additive intended for non-food producing
animals, is exempted from further assessment due to the unlikelihood of a significant environmental effect, there
being no scientifically-based evidence for concern having been identified by the Authority in its above-mentioned
opinion. The Authority also stated that for this additive, which is also authorised in food, where the function is the
same as that for feed, no further demonstration of efficacy might be necessary. However, the Authority, considering
the wide variety of feedingstuffs, requested further demonstration. The applicant demonstrated the efficacy in a
typical feed matrix for 50 mg/kg but also indicated that for other matrixes (colour in petfood may range from
almost white to dark brown) lower levels may be used specially in pale matrixes (the applicant provided in the
dossier some evidence for lower levels). As the recommended maximum level proposed by the Authority for this
additive is similar to the levels authorised for food in different types of products, the Commission considered that
there is sufficient evidence of the efficacy of this substance. The Authority does not consider that there is a need for
specific requirements of post-market monitoring. It also verified the report on the method of analysis of the feed
additive in feed submitted by the Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.
(1) OJ L 268, 18.10.2003, p. 29.
(2) Council Directive 70/524/EEC of 23 November 1970 concerning additives in feedingstuffs (OJ L 270, 14.12.1970, p. 1).
(3) EFSA Journal 2018; 16(3):5222.
(4) Commission Regulation (EC) No 429/2008 of 25 April 2008 on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation
(EC) No 1831/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the preparation and the presentation of applications
and the assessment and the authorisation of feed additives (OJ L 133, 22.5.2008, p. 1).24.1.2020 E N O f f i c i a l J o u r n a l o f t h e E u r o p e a n Union L 19/19
(5) The assessment of ponceau 4R shows that the conditions for authorisation, as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation
(EC) No 1831/2003, are satisfied. Accordingly, the use of that additive should be authorised as specified in the
Annex to this Regulation.
(6) Since safety reasons do not require the immediate application of the modifications to the conditions of authorisation
of the substance concerned, it is appropriate to allow a transitional period for interested parties to prepare
themselves to meet the new requirements resulting from the authorisation.
(7) The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on
Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,
HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:
Article 1
Authorisation
The substance specified in the Annex, belonging to the additive category ‘sensory additives’ and to the functional group
‘colourants’, is authorised as an additive in animal nutrition, subject to the conditions laid down in that Annex.
Article 2
Transitional measures
1. The substance specified in the Annex and premixtures containing that substance, which are produced and labelled
before 13 August 2020 in accordance with the rules applicable before 13 February 2020 may continue to be placed on the
market and used until the existing stocks are exhausted.
2. Feed materials and compound feed containing the substance specified in the Annex which are produced and labelled
before 13 February 2022 in accordance with the rules applicable before 13 February 2020 may continue to be placed on
the market and used until the existing stocks are exhausted.
Article 3
Entry into force
This Regulation shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the
European Union.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.
Done at Brussels, 23 January 2020.
For the Commission
The President
Ursula VON DER LEYENANNEX
Minimum Maximum
Identifica- content content
Species or
tion number Composition, chemical formula, description, analytical Maximum End of period of
Additive category of Other provisions
of the method age mg of active substance of kg authorisation
animal
additive of complete feedingstuff with
a moisture content of 12 %
Category: Sensory additives. Functional group: Colourants. (i) substances that add or restore colour in feedingstuffs
2a124 Ponceau Additive composition Cats — — 31 1. In the directions for use of the 13 February
4R Ponceau 4R described as the sodium salt as the prin additive and premixture, the sto 2030
cipal component. rage conditions and stability to
Solid form (powder or granules) heat treatment shall be indicated.
2. For users of the additive and pre
Characterisation of the active substance as the sodium salt mixtures, feed business operators
Ponceau 4R consists essentially of trisodium 2-hy shall establish operational proce
droxy-1-(4-sulfonato1-naphthylazo) naphthalene- dures and organisational mea
6,8-disulfonate and subsidiary colouring matters to sures to address potential risks re
gether with sodium chloride and/or sodium sul sulting from its use. Where those
phate as the principal uncoloured components. risks cannot be eliminated or re
The calcium and the potassium salts are also per duced to a minimum by such pro
mitted cedures and measures, the addi
Chemical formula: C H N O S Na tive and premixtures shall be 20 11 2 10 3 3
Solid form (powder or granules) produced by che used with personal protective
mical synthesis equipment, including eye, skin,
CAS No: 2611-82-7 oral and breathing protection.
Purity criteria
— Total colouring matters calculated as the sodium
salt ≥ 80 % (assay);
— Subsidiary colouring matter ≤ 1 %;
— Organic compounds other than colouring mat
ters ≤ 0,5 %;
— Unsulfonated primary aromatic amines (calcu
lated as aniline) ≤ 0,01 %.
Analytical method (1) Dogs — — 37
For the quantification of total colouring matters
content of ponceau 4R in the feed additive:
Spectrophotometry at 505 nm and titration with
Titanous chloride as described in Commission Reg
ulation (EU) No 231/2012 referring to FAO JECFA
Combined Compendium for Food Additive Specifi
cations (Analytical methods Vol. 4); and the Mono
graph No 11 (2011) ‘Ponceau 4R’.
For the quantification of ponceau 4R in feeding
stuffs:
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24.1.2020Minimum Maximum
Identifica- content content
Species or
tion number Composition, chemical formula, description, analytical Maximum End of period of
Additive category of Other provisions
of the method age mg of active substance of kg authorisation
animal
additive of complete feedingstuff with
a moisture content of 12 %
High performance liquid chromatography coupled
to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
Category: Sensory additives. Functional group: Colourants. (iii) substances which favourably affect the colour of ornamental fish or birds
2a124 Ponceau Additive composition Ornamental — — 137 1. In the directions for use of the 13 February
4R Ponceau 4R described as the sodium salt as the prin fish additive and premixture, the sto 2030
cipal component. rage conditions and stability to
Solid form (powder or granules) heat treatment shall be indicated.
2. For users of the additive and pre
Characterisation of the active substance as the sodium salt mixtures, feed business operators
Ponceau 4R consists essentially of trisodium 2-hy shall establish operational proce
droxy-1-(4-sulfonato1-naphthylazo) naphthalene- dures and organisational mea
6,8-disulfonate and subsidiary colouring matters to sures to address potential risks re
gether with sodium chloride and/or sodium sul sulting from its use. Where those
phate as the principal uncoloured components risks cannot be eliminated or re
The calcium and the potassium salts are also per duced to a minimum by such pro
mitted cedures and measures, the addi
Chemical formula: C 20H 11N 2O 10S 3Na 3 tive and premixtures shall be
Solid form (powder or granules) produced by che used with personal protective
mical synthesis equipment, including eye, skin,
CAS No: 2611-82-7 oral and breathing protection.
Purity criteria
— Total colouring matters calculated as the sodium
salt ≥ 80 % (assay);
— Subsidiary colouring matter ≤ 1 %;
— Organic compounds other than colouring mat
ters ≤ 0,5 %;
— Unsulfonated primary aromatic amines (calcu
lated as aniline) ≤ 0,01 %.
Analytical method (1)
For the quantification of total colouring matters
content of ponceau 4R in the feed additive:
Spectrophotometry at 505 nm and titration with
Titanous chloride as described in Commission Reg
ulation (EU) No 231/2012 referring to FAO JECFA
Combined Compendium for Food Additive Specifi
cations (Analytical methods Vol. 4); and the Mono
graph No 11 (2011) ‘Ponceau 4R’.
For the quantification of ponceau 4R in feeding
stuffs:
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19/21Minimum Maximum
Identifica- content content
Species or
tion number Composition, chemical formula, description, analytical Maximum End of period of
Additive category of Other provisions
of the method age mg of active substance of kg authorisation
animal
additive of complete feedingstuff with
a moisture content of 12 %
High performance liquid chromatography coupled
to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)
(1) Details of the analytical methods are available at the following address of the Reference Laboratory: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/eurl/feed-additives/evaluation-reports
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