31.12.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 3541 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is obligatory) REGULATIONS REGULATION (EC) No 1331/2008 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 2008 establishing a common authorisation procedure for food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EURO- PEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 95 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (2), Whereas: (1) The free movement of safe and wholesome food is an essential aspect of the internal market and contributes sig- nificantly to the health and well-being of citizens, and to their social and economic interests. (2) A high level of protection of human life and health should be assured in the pursuit of Community policies. (3) In order to protect human health, the safety of additives, enzymes and flavourings for use in foodstuffs for human consumption must be assessed before they are placed on the Community market. () OJ C 168, 20.7.2007, p. 34. (?) Opinion of the European Parliament of 10 July 2007 (O] C 175 E, 10.7.2008, p. 134), Council Common Position of 10 March 2008 (O] C 111 E, 6.5.2008, p. 1), Position of the European Parliament of 8 July 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Council Decision of 18 November 2008. (4)  Regulation (EC) No 1333/2008 of the European Parlia- ment and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food additives (?), Regulation (EC) No 1332/2008 of the Euro- pean Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on food enzymes (*) and Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on flavourings and certain food ingre- dients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods (°) (hereinafter referred to as the sectoral food laws) lay down harmonised criteria and requirements concerning the assessment and authorisation of these substances. (5) It is envisaged, in particular, that food additives, food enzymes and food flavourings, to the extent that the safety of food flavourings must be assessed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1334/2008 [on flavourings and certain food ingredients with flavouring properties for use in and on foods], must not be placed on the market or used in foodstuffs for human consumption, in accordance with the conditions laid down in each sectoral food law, unless they are included on a Community list of authorised substances. (6)  Ensuring transparency in the production and handling of food is absolutely crucial in order to maintain consumer confidence. (7)  Inthis context, it appears appropriate to establish for these three categories of substances a common Community assessment and authorisation procedure that is effective, time-limited and transparent, so as to facilitate their free movement within the Community market. (?) See page 16 of this Official Journal. (*) See page 7 of this Official Journal. (°) See page 34 of this Official Journal.