L 332/38 Official Journal of the European Union 19.12.2003 COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2003/121/EC of 15 December 2003 amending Directive 98/53/EC laying down the sampling methods and the methods of analysis for the official control of the levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (Text with EEA relevance) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Directive 85/591/EEC of 20 December 1985 concerning the introduction of Community methods of sampling and analysis for the monitoring of food- stuffs intended for human consumption ('), and in particular Article 1 thereof, Whereas: (1)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 of 8 March 2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (?), as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1425/2003 (), fixes specific maximum limits for maize to be subjected to sorting, or other physical treatment, before human consumption or use as an ingredient in foodstuffs. 2)  Sampling plays a crucial part in the precision of the determination of the levels of aflatoxins, which are very heterogeneously distributed in a lot. Commission Direc- tive 98/53/EC (), as amended by Directive 2002/27/ EC (), should be amended to include specific provisions for maize to be subjected to sorting, or other physical treatment, before human consumption or use as an ingredient in foodstuffs. (3) It is of major importance that analytical results are reported and interpreted in a uniform way in order to ensure a harmonised enforcement approach across the Union. These interpretation rules should be of applica- tion for the analytical result obtained on the sample for official control. In case of analysis for defence or referee purposes, the national rules apply. (4)  Directive 98/53/EC should therefore be amended accord- ingly. (5)  The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health, 1 () OJ L 372, 31.12.1985, p. 50. () OJL 77, 16.3.2001, p. 1. () OJ L 203,12.8.2003, p. 1. ( OJ L 201,17.7.1998, p. 93. () OJ L 75, 16.3.2002, p. 44. 5 HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: Atrticle 1 Annex I to Directive 98/53/EC is amended as set out in Annex I to this Directive. Annex II to Directive 98/53/EC is amended as set out in Annex II to this Directive. Atticle 2 1. Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by 31 October 2004 at the latest. They shall forth- with communicate to the Commission the text of those provi- sions and a correlation table between those provisions and this Directive. When Member States adopt those provisions, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or be accompanied by such a refer- ence on the occasion of their official publication. Member States shall determine how such reference is to be made. 2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Article 3 This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Atrticle 4 This Directive is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 15 December 2003. For the Commission David BYRNE Member of the Commission