(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 and renewing such an authorisation.

(2)

Benzoic acid was authorised for a period of 10 years as a feed additive for sows by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/900 (2), for minor porcine species for fattening and for reproduction by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/983 (3), for weaned piglets by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1550 (4), and for pigs for fattening by Commission Implementing Regulations (EU) 2018/1550 and (EU) 2020/1031 (5).

(3)

In accordance with Article 14(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, an application was submitted for the renewal of the authorisation of benzoic acid as a feed additive for weaned piglets, pigs for fattening, sows, minor porcine species for fattening, and sows and boars of minor porcine species. The application requested that additive to be classified in the category ‘zootechnical additives’ and in the functional group ‘other zootechnical additives’. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 14(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 27 January 2026 (6) that the applicant has provided evidence that benzoic acid remains safe for the target species, as well as for the consumers and the environment. It also concluded that benzoic acid should be considered irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory tract and was not considered a potential skin sensitiser. The Authority stated that the application for renewal of the authorisation does not include a proposal for amending or supplementing the conditions of the original authorisation that would have an impact on the efficacy of the additive. Therefore, it concluded that there is no need for assessing the efficacy of the additive in the context of the renewal of the authorisation. It did not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring.

(5)

The Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 considered that the conclusions and recommendations reached in the assessment carried out regarding the method of analysis of benzoic acid as a feed additive in the context of the previous authorisation are valid and applicable for the current application. In accordance with Article 5(4), point (c), of Commission Regulation (EC) No 378/2005 (7), an evaluation report of the Reference Laboratory is therefore not required.

(6)

In view of the above, the Commission considers that benzoic acid satisfies the conditions provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the authorisation of that additive should be renewed for weaned piglets, pigs for fattening, sows, minor porcine species for fattening, and sows and boars of minor porcine species. 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.

(7)

As a consequence of the renewal of the authorisation of benzoic acid as a feed additive, Implementing Regulations (EU) 2016/900, (EU) 2018/983, (EU) 2018/1550 and (EU) 2020/1031 should be repealed.

(8)

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

(9)

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