23.3.2012 Official Journal of the European Union L 84/1 II (Non-legislative acts) COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 252/2012 of 21 March 2012 laying down methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of levels of dioxins, dioxin- like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs in certain foodstuffs and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1883/2006 (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, (3)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 1883/2006 of Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance 19 December 2006 laying down methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs in certain foodstuffs (* establishes specific provisions concerning the sampling procedure and the methods of analysis to be applied for the official control. with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare (4 The application of new maximum levels for non-dioxin- N . y like PCBs, established following the availability of a rules (1), in particular Article 11(4) thereof, o o scientific opinion from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on non-dioxin-like PCBs and also to y provide a harmonisation at Union level and the update Wh ) of the criteria for screening methods require significant ereas: amendments. Therefore, for reasons of clarity, it is appro- priate to replace Regulation (EC) No 1883/2006 by this Regulation. (1)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 of 19 December 2006 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (%) provides for maximum levels for non-dioxin-like PCBs, dioxins and furans and for the sum of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs in (5)  The provisions laid down in this Regulation relate only 0] 0] 0] certain foodstuffs. Commission ~ Recommendation ~ 2011/516/EU  of 23 August 2011 on the reduction of the presence of dioxins, furans and PCBs in feed and food (?) sets out action levels in order to stimulate a pro-active approach to reduce the presence of polychlorinated dibenzo-para- dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD|/Fs) and dioxin-like PCBs in food. Those action levels are a tool for competent authorities and operators to highlight those cases where it is appropriate to identify a source of contamination and to take measures for its reduction or elimination. L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1. L 364, 20.12.2006, p. 5. L 218, 24.8.2011, p. 23. to the sampling and analysis of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and non-dioxin-like PCBs for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006. They do not affect the sampling strategy, sampling levels and frequency as specified in Annexes IIl and IV to Council Directive 96/23/EC of 29 April 1996 on measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products and repealing Directives 85/358/EEC and 86/469/EEC and Decisions 89/187/EEC and 91/664[EEC (°). They do not affect the targeting criteria for sampling as laid down in Commission Decision 98/179/EC of 23 February 1998 laying down detailed rules on official sampling for the monitoring of certain substances and residues thereof in live animals and animal products (°). 364, 20.12.2006, p. 32. oJ L 0J L 125, 23.5.1996, p. 10. oJ L 65, 5.3.1998, p. 31.