Directive 2000/51/EC amended Commission Directive 95/31/EC by laying down new purity criteria for mannitol and maltitol syrup (E965(ii)). However, following its publication it came to light that the directive contained an error in relation to the criteria for mannitol. The Commission and all Member States have agreed the need to correct the wording and this will be undertaken by means of a further amendment to Directive 95/31. For this reason the attached draft Statutory Instrument implements only those changes which relate to maltitol syrup. Changes relating to mannitol will now be the subject of future separate amending Regulations.
The deadline for implementation is 30 June 2001 and the FSA are aiming to bring these Regulations into force at the earliest possible date following the end of the consultation period.
Following devolution, the attached amending Regulations will relate to Wales only and parallel Regulations will be made for England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland which will be subject to separate consultations.
Since the new additive specification is understood to reflect current industry practice, the change is not expected to result in any significant increase or decrease in costs.