No L 230/12 Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 9. 96 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 29 July 19%6 establishing the list of milk-based products in respect of which Member States are authorized to grant individual or general derogations pursuant to Article 8 (2) of Directive 92/46/EEC and the nature of the derogations applicable to the manufacture of such products (Text with EEA relevance) (96/536/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 92/46/EEC of 16 June 1992 laying down the health rules for the produc- tion and placing on the market of raw milk, heat-treated milk and milk-based products ('), as last amended by the Act of Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden, and in particular Article 8 (2) thereof, Whereas Member States have transmitted to the Commis- sion the list of products in respect of which they are requesting application of the first subparagraph of Article 8 (2) of the above Directive, and the nature of the deroga- tions requested; Whereas for the purposes of this Decision it is necessary to define the term milk-based products with traditional characteristics as used in Article 8(2) of Directive 92/46/EEC; Whereas certain requirements of that Directive are likely to affect the production of such milk-based products with traditional characteristics; Whereas, given the diverse nature of the derogations provided for in Article 8 (2) of that Directive, it is neces- () OJ No L 268, 14. 9. 1992, p. 1. sary to set general or specific conditions applicable to each product with due regard to public health risks; Whereas the derogations requested by Member States are from rules relating to raw milk, materials coming into contact with products, ripening cellars and finished products; Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Veterinary Committee, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 For the purposes of Article 8 (2) of Directive 92/46/EEC and of this Decision, milk-based products with traditional characteristics shall mean milk-based products which are: — recognized historically, or — manufactured according to technical references or production methods codified or registered in the Member State in which the product is traditionally manufactured, or — protected by a national, regional or local law in the Member State in which the product is traditionally manufactured.