. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/EEC/60
9 June 1998
(98-2332)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:   European Commission – Directorate for Industry
3. Products covered (tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited
with the WTO.  ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Isomalt
(E 953) (Sweetener)
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:   Draft Commission Directive
98/…/EC of (…) amending Commission Directive 95/31/EC laying down specific puritycriteria concerning sweeteners for use in foodstuffs (6 pages)
5. Description of content:  Partial modification of the purity criteria as already laid down in
Commission Directive 95/31/EC  for Isomalt (E 953).  This draft amends certain technical
parameters and improves the scientific terminology for this substance which was already
fully covered by the Community framework legislation relating to sweeteners (EP and
Council Directive 94/35/EC).
6. Objective and rationale: Adaptation of the purity criteria in order to permit the application
of new production processes.  The purity criteria set maximum limits for the presence of
toxic or harmful substances or microbiological contaminations, which may still remain inthe final food additive.  Consequently the purity criteria  laid down in the draft Commission
Directive aim at ensuring the protection of health and the safety of the consumers.
7. An international standard, guidelin e or recommendation does not exist [    ].
If an international standard, guideline or  recommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:  The draft is in conformity with the purity criteria established by
international bodies, i.e. JECFA (Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives)
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Document
III/5319/98 of 17 March 1998
9. Proposed date of adoption:  July 1998G/SPS/N/EEC/60
Page 2
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  20th day after its publication in the Official Journal
11. Final date for comments:  End of June 1998
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  European Community Enquiry
Point
12. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [  X ] or address, telefax number and
E-mail address (if available) of other body:            