Future European Community directives and petition procedures.

The underlying principles of current European Community legislation in the area of food contact materials and articles are reviewed, and the prospects for extension to new areas are assessed. Future Directives are broadly described although it is not possible to timetable the programme for ultimate agreement and implementation. To assist in understanding Directives and for the practical purposes of enforcement Commission documents are outlined covering a 'Compendium of Methods of Analysis', a 'Practical Guide for users of EEC Directives on Food Packaging' and a 'Framework Document for Research Requirements in Support of Regulations'. Finally procedures for authorization of new substances at Community and national levels are described.