(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.

(2)    In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, an application was submitted for the authorisation of perlite. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(3)    The application concerns the authorisation of perlite as a feed additive for all terrestrial animal species, requesting that additive to be classified in the category ‘technological additives’ and in the functional group ‘anticaking agents’.

(4)    The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) in its opinion of 18 November 2025  concluded that perlite is considered safe at the maximum use level of 20 000 mg/kg complete feed for chickens for fattening and weaned piglets.  This conclusion is extended to chickens reared for laying or reproduction, suckling piglets and pigs for fattening, and extrapolated to other poultry for fattening and reared for laying/reproduction and ornamental birds. However, considering the limitations of the studies assessed no conclusion can be reached on the safety of perlite for other terrestrial species and categories. The applicant decided to withdraw the application for species/categories other than poultry for fattening or reared for laying/reproduction, ornamental birds, piglets (suckling and weaned) and pigs for fattening. It also concluded that the additive is safe for the consumer and the environment at the proposed conditions of use. Regarding user safety, the Authority concluded that the additive is not irritant to skin or eyes but is considered to be dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Exposure by dermal and inhalation routes is considered a risk and should be minimised. It further concluded that perlite is efficacious as an anticaking agent in feed for terrestrial animal species. 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 perlite satisfies the conditions provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of that substance should be authorised for poultry for fattening, poultry reared for laying or reproduction, ornamental birds, piglets and pigs for fattening. 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)    The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,