(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 such an authorisation. Article 10(2) of that Regulation provides for the re-evaluation of additives authorised pursuant to Council Directive 70/524/EEC (2).

(2) Acacia gum was authorised without a time limit in accordance with Directive 70/524/EEC as a feed additive for all animal species in the category ‘emulsifying and stabilizing agents, thickeners and gelling agents’. That substance was subsequently entered in the Register of feed additives as an existing product, in accordance with Article 10(1), point (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 acacia gum as a feed additive for all animal species. The applicant requested the additive to be classified in the additive category ‘technological additives’ and in the functional groups ‘emulsifiers’ and ‘stabilisers’. The application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. The applicant withdrew the application for the functional groups ‘thickeners’ and ‘gelling agents’.

(4) The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 24 June 2025 (3), which revised its opinion of 17 September 2022 (4), that, under the proposed conditions of use, acacia gum is safe for all animal species, consumers and the environment. The Authority also concluded that acacia gum is a potential dermal and respiratory sensitiser, and any exposure by dermal or inhalation routes is considered a risk. The Authority further concluded that acacia gum is efficacious as an emulsifier and in stabilising emulsions over time, which would support its efficacy as a stabiliser. The Authority 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.

(5) In view of the above, the Commission considers that acacia gum satisfies the conditions provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of that substance should be authorised. 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.

(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 provide for 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,