(fra kommisjonsforordningen)

(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 and renewing such an authorisation.

(2)    A preparation of benzoic acid, thymol, eugenol and piperine (‘the preparation’) was authorised for a period of 10 years as a feed additive for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, minor poultry species for fattening and minor poultry species reared for laying by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1426 .

(3)    In accordance with Article 14(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, an application was submitted for the renewal of the authorisation of the preparation as a feed additive for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, minor poultry species for fattening and minor poultry species reared for laying. The application included a proposal for amending the conditions of the original authorisation, consisting of an increase of the maximum benzoic acid content from 83% to 85% and of the maximum thymol content from 1,9% to 2%. In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, that application was also submitted for the authorisation of the preparation for use in turkeys for fattening and poultry reared for reproduction. The application requested that additive to be classified in the category ‘zootechnical additives’ and in the functional group ‘other zootechnical additives’. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 14(2) and Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. 

(4)    The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 5 December 2025  that the applicant has provided evidence that the preparation remains safe for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying and minor poultry species for fattening and reared for laying, as well as for the consumers and the environment. It concluded that the extension of use to all poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/reproduction would not affect these conclusions, thereby considering the preparation safe for all target species, the consumer and the environment, and that the proposed amendment of the conditions of the original authorisation is of no concern. It also concluded that the preparation should be considered irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory tract and a skin and respiratory sensitiser. The Authority further concluded that the preparation is efficacious in all poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/reproduction at 300 mg/kg complete feed. It did not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring. 

(5)    The Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 considered that the conclusions and recommendations reached in the assessment carried out regarding the method of analysis of the preparation as a feed additive in the context of the previous authorisation are valid and applicable for the current application. In accordance with Article 5(4), point (c), of Commission Regulation (EC) No 378/2005 , an evaluation report of the Reference Laboratory is therefore not required. 

(6)    In view of the above, the Commission considers that the preparation satisfies the conditions provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the authorisation of that additive should be renewed for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, minor poultry species for fattening and minor poultry species reared for laying.  In addition, that preparation should be authorised for turkeys for fattening and poultry reared for reproduction, thus extending the authorisation to all poultry for fattening and all poultry reared for laying or reproduction. It is appropriate to provide for ensuring the safety for the target species in case of simultaneous use of the preparation with other additives containing thymol, eugenol or piperine. In addition, the Commission considers that appropriate protective measures should be taken to prevent adverse effects on the health of the users of the additive. Those protective measures should be without prejudice to other workers’ safety requirements under Union law.

(7)    As a consequence of the renewal of the authorisation of the preparation as a feed additive, Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1426 should be repealed. 

(8)    Since safety reasons do not require the immediate application of the modifications to the conditions of authorisation of the preparation for chickens for fattening, chickens reared for laying, minor poultry species for fattening and minor poultry species reared for laying, it is appropriate to provide for a transitional period for interested parties to prepare themselves to meet the new requirements resulting from the renewal of the authorisation.