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Request sent to EFSA
EFSA carries out most of its work in response to requests from risk managers, as well as initiating its own activities. The requestor – usually the European Commission – sends a request letter to EFSA’s Executive Director.
Risk managers and EFSA
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Examination
EFSA’s Mandates Review Committee screens all requests sent to EFSA on a weekly basis. It considers the type of scientific output required and allocates the requests to the suitable Scientific Panel(s) or Scientific Committee. The secretariat supporting the respective Panel or Committee will examine each request to ensure they are clear, complete and a common understanding is reached with the requestor of what is expected. EFSA may ask for clarification or revision of the proposed Terms of Reference, deadlines or scientific information provided. For market applications, EFSA validates/checks the completeness of the application and may request more scientific information from the applicant.
Definitions of EFSA scientific outputs
Decision of the Executive Director of the European Food Safety Authority regarding multisectoral issues
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Allocation to Panel(s)
Each question or validated market application is assigned to the suitable Scientific Panel. To ensure an integrated approach, more than one Panel may be consulted to focus on the different risk assessment fields involved. EFSA’s Panels are made up of highly qualified experts, supported by EFSA’s secretariat. EFSA has developed a comprehensive body of good risk assessment practices to guide its experts and help ensure EFSA opinions respect the highest scientific standards. The Scientific Evaluation of Regulated Products Directorate and the Risk Assessment and Scientific Assistance Directorate provide secretariat support to each Panel.
EFSA's Scientific Panels
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Acceptance
Once EFSA is satisfied it can carry out the work requested, the EFSA secretariat sends an acceptance letter to the requestor including any revisions or clarifications agreed. For market applications the clock starts on the regulatory timetable for EFSA to complete its evaluation.
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Insertion in Register of Questions
EFSA's Register of Questions provides information on the state of play of each dossier as it passes through the risk assessment process to completion. When a request is accepted or an application validated, EFSA’s secretariat publishes the available details in the Register and assigns it an official question number. All mandates accepted by EFSA are made available in the Register.
Register of Questions
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