27. 6. 97 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 169/85 COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 10 June 1997 setting up a Scientific Steering Committee (97/404/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Whereas sound scientific advice is an essential basis for Community rules on consumer health, including matters on consumer health in its strictest sense, but also on animal health and welfare, plant health and environ- mental health; Whereas scientific advice on consumer health matters is currently provided by six scientifc committees set up by the Commission and addressing the topics of food, animal nutrition, cosmetology, pesticides, toxicity and ecotoxicity, and veterinary matters; Whereas several issues relating to consumer health are of a multidisciplinary nature and require input from various scientific committees which would benefit from an effect- ive coordination; Whereas the Commission must be able to obtain sound and timely scientific advice; Whereas scientific advice on matters relating to consumer health must, in the interests of consumers and industry, be based on the principles of excellence, independence and transparency, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 A Scientific Steering Committee (hereinafter called ‘SSC’) in the field of consumer health and food safety is hereby established. Article 2 1. The SSC shall assist the Commission to obtain the best scientific advice available on matters relating to consumer health. 2. The SSC shall coordinate the work of the scientific committees set up by the Commission to address matters of consumer health, in particular: (a) the SSC shall evaluate and monitor the working pro- cedures used by the scientific committees and will harmonize them when necessary; (b} for matters which require consultation of two or more scientific committees, the SSC shall identify those scientific committees which should be involved, taking account of compulsory consultation require- ments, shall consider opinions issued by the different committees and may, in case of substantial differences of opinions, provide an overall view; (c) when Community measures are based on the evalu- ation carried out by scientists from organizations in the Member States, the SSC shall assist the Commis- sion, on the latter’s request, in assessing if scientific advice at Community level is needed, and if so, in determining which scientific committee is to provide it. 3. The SSC shall, in the area of consumer health: (a) deliver scientific advice only on matters which are not covered by the mandates of the other scientific committees. It shall prepare this advice following a request from the Commission and relying on the most appropriate scientific expertise; ® ~ specifically deliver scientific advice on multidiscip- linary aspects of transmissible spongiform encephalo- pathies, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy. To this end it shall create an ad hoc group which shall be chaired by a member of the SSC and may include external experts;