(1)

In accordance with Article 23(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, the Commission received on 20 April 2015 an application from the Institut Technique de l'Agriculture Biologique (ITAB) for the approval of sweet whey as a basic substance. That application was accompanied by the information required by the second subparagraph of Article 23(3). The applicant was allowed to complete the application, which was finalised in the new version of September 2015. On that occasion the applicant changed the scope of the application to whey.

(2)

The Commission asked the European Food Safety Authority (hereinafter ‘the Authority’) for scientific assistance. The Authority presented to the Commission a Technical Report on 28 October 2015 (2). The Commission presented the review report (3) and a draft of this Regulation to the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed on 11 December 2015 and finalised them for the meeting of that Committee on 8 March 2016.

(3)

The documentation provided by the applicant shows that whey fulfils the criteria of a foodstuff as defined in Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4). Moreover, it is not predominantly used for plant protection purposes but nevertheless is useful in plant protection in a product consisting of the substance and water. Consequently, it is to be considered as a basic substance.

(4)

It has appeared from the examinations made that whey 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 uses which were examined and detailed in the Commission review report. It is therefore appropriate to approve whey as a basic substance.

(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 include certain conditions for the approval which are detailed in Annex I to this Regulation.

(6)

In accordance with Article 13(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009, the Annex to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 540/2011 (5) should 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,