(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)

Sodium benzoate was authorised for 10 years as a feed additive for weaned piglets by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 496/2011 (2).

(3)

In accordance with Article 14(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, in conjunction with Article 7 thereof, an application was submitted by the holder of the authorisation for the renewal of the authorisation of sodium benzoate for weaned piglets and for a new use for piglets of other Suidae, requesting that additive to be classified in the additive category ‘zootechnical additives’ and functional group ‘other zootechnical additives’. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) and Article 14(2) of that Regulation.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 29 September 2021 (3) that, under the proposed conditions of use, sodium benzoate does not have an adverse effect on the health of weaned piglets, consumer safety or the environment. This conclusion can be extended to other growing Suidae. The Authority concluded that the additive should be considered a skin sensitiser and that the powder formulation of the additive represents a risk by inhalation. Therefore, the Commission considers that appropriate protective measures should be taken to prevent adverse effects on human health, in particular as regards the users of the additive. Further, the Authority concluded based the efficacy data previously evaluated that the additive has the potential to be efficacious in weaned piglets. The conclusions on the efficacy reached in weaned piglets can be extended to other growing Suidae species at the corresponding physiological stage. The Authority does not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring. It 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)

The assessment of sodium benzoate shows that the conditions for authorisation, as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, are satisfied. Accordingly, the authorisation of that additive should be renewed for weaned piglets and its use for piglets of other Suidae species at the corresponding physiological stage should be authorised, as specified in the Annex to this Regulation.

(6)

As a consequence of the renewal of the authorisation of sodium benzoate as a feed additive under the conditions laid down in the Annex to this Regulation, Implementing Regulation (EU) No 496/2011 should be repealed.

(7)

Since safety reasons do not require the immediate application of the modifications to the conditions of authorisation for the substance concerned, it is appropriate to provide a transitional period for interested parties to prepare themselves to meet the new requirements resulting from the renewal of the authorisation.

(8)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,