A new Regulation on the transparency and sustainability of the EU risk assessment in the food chain came into force on 27 March 2021.
The Regulation aims to ensure further transparency of the risk assessment in the food chain, to increase the independence of the studies submitted to EFSA, strengthen the governance and scientific cooperation of EFSA and develop comprehensive risk communication.
To help stakeholders better understand and prepare for the new arrangements, the European Commission and EFSA will be producing a range of supporting materials such as video tutorials and holding a series of training sessions.
All the materials as well as the calendar of activities will be listed on this dedicated page. The Transparency Regulation will introduce new processes and tools affecting - in particular - stakeholders and business operators involved in the assessment of applications.
To promote a better understanding of the new tools and processes that will be implemented after the entry into application of the Transparency Regulation on 27 March 2021, and to ensure a smooth transition for all parties affected by the related changes, the European Commission and EFSA have been developing a series of webinars and video tutorials.
European Commission:
| Title | Target audience | Material |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform*: Introduction to the system | All | |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform*: User manual | All | |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform*: Preparation of the dossier and its submission by the applicant | Business operators | |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform*: Validation by a Member States Competent Authority (MS/CA) | Business operators | |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform*: Interactions with the Authorities during the Risk assessment | Business operators | |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform*: Interactions with EFSA regarding opinion, until the end of the risk management | Business operators | |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform: The video tutorial covers the confidentiality process when assessed by EFSA. The video does not cover the confidentiality assessment process when assessed by MSCA or EC. | Business operators | |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform*: How to create my EU login to access the platform | All | |
| Quick guidance – Access management for Member States National Competent Authorities (NCA) and their contact points | Member States / Competent Authorities | |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform*: Member States Competent Authority tutorial for : Food Contact Materials, Smoke, flavouring new and modification , Health claims and GMO Food and Feed new and modification. | Member States / Competent authorities | |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform*: Member States Competent Authority tutorial for : GMO Directive 2001/18/EC on deliberate release into the environment (Part C) | Member States / Competent authorities | |
| E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform*: Applicant and Member States Competent Authority tutorial for: Application for authorisation for the deliberate release of GMO or a combination of GMOs for any other purpose than for placing on the market according to Directive 2001/18/EC and Council Decision 2002/813 (GMO Part B) | Applicant and Member States Competent Authority |
* E-Submission Food Chain (ESFC) Platform is the new name for FSCAP, i.e. the e-submission system to be used for all food sector authorisations except Plant Protection Products and MRLs, for which IUCLID will be used. The platform has been operational since Monday 29 March 2021 at 08:00 CET