(1)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/1108 (2) approved vinegar as a basic substance for uses as fungicide and bactericide and included it in Part C of the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 (3).

(2)

In November 2016, Charbonneaux-Brabant SA submitted to the Commission an application for the extension of the use of vinegar as herbicide in accordance with Article 23(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009.

(3)

The Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) for scientific assistance. On 4 August 2017, the Authority presented to the Commission a technical report on the extension of the use of vinegar in plant protection as herbicide (4). The Commission presented the review report to the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed on 23 October 2018 and the draft of this Regulation on 12 December 2018.

(4)

It has appeared from the examinations made that vinegar may be expected to satisfy, in general, the requirements laid down in Article 23 of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, in particular with regard to the use as herbicide which was examined and detailed in the review report. Therefore the use of vinegar as herbicide should be allowed. Moreover, given the fact that a new use of vinegar is being permitted, it is acceptable to allow other possible uses of vinegar as referred to in the latest version of the review report for vinegar. It is therefore appropriate to revoke the current restriction for use only as a fungicide and a bactericide.

(5)

In accordance with Article 13(2) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 in conjunction with Article 6 thereof and in the light of current scientific and technical knowledge, it is, however, necessary to respect certain conditions for use.

(6)

Implementing Regulations (EU) 2015/1108 and (EU) No 540/2011 should therefore be amended accordingly.

(7)

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