Administrative & Financial Matters
The 2025 accounts were approved, in line with the budget, with some additional expenditure related to establishing the Brussels secretariat and coordinating the scientific programme. The 2026 budget projects a positive result, boosted by revenue from the new edition of the EFEO Directory. The 2027 budget was also approved, including the standard annual 3% membership fee increase.
New Board officers were elected for the next two-year term: Eric Angelini (V. Mane Fils) as President, Philippe Soguel (Distillerie Bleu Provence) as Vice-President. Laure Moutet (Honorary Member) was re-elected as Treasurer.
Andrey Mitov delivered his final address as President, highlighting over 100 personal meetings with key MEPs since 2022 and stressing the importance of the EFEO-IFEAT scientific programme, for which fundraising remains essential to bring it successfully to completion.
Following presentations were given in order to update the members and visitors on the work of the different EFEO Committees :
Communications Committee – Elisabeth Vossen
The committee has maintained regular newsletter distribution and flash communications. A new visual identity and logo were launched, the website is set for improvement, and LinkedIn activity is being stepped up. The 2026 Directory has been redesigned by Noted, with advertising revenue directly supporting EFEO activities. Filip Lissicharov takes over as head of the committee.
Technical Committee – Maja Zippel
Several critical regulatory files were reviewed. On the CLP/CLH regulation, the sector is navigating a shift from a risk-based to a hazard-based approach, with ongoing cases for Tea Tree Oil, Para-cymene, Acetophenone, and Spearmint Oil. The derogation until 2029 requires urgent scientific support, as without it, more essential oils risk classification as CMR substances and becoming unusable.
Other open files include MOSH/MOAH (no validated analytical method yet), the reassessment of technical hexane as a food extraction solvent, the CITES listing process for Guaiacwood oil, and pesticide residue measures already adopted in France and Poland that may be extended at EU level.
Public Affairs Committee – Manolo Donaire
The top priority is the CLP regulation and preparing for the December 2029 review clause. The committee’s strategy rests on building long-term relationships with EU institutions and creating synergies with European, international, and national associations. Advocacy efforts in 2025–2026 included networking events at the EU Parliament in Strasbourg and Brussels, a breakfast debate, support for the Antwerp Declaration, and direct updates to the European Commission on the EFEO-IFEAT scientific programme.
Further activities are planned for the second half of 2026.
EFEO-IFEAT Scientific Programme – Jocelyn Kurtz & Jonathan Bonello
The programme aims to raise €3 million. Members were reminded that the cost of the programme is modest compared to the financial burden companies would face under full CMR classifications. The work includes analytical profiling projects in collaboration with the University of Nice, with 800 hours mobilised since 2024. Upcoming deliverables include 4 peer-reviewed publications and posters at SETAC conferences.
A meeting with the European Commission in April revealed that stronger and more comprehensive scientific evidence is still required before meaningful regulatory concessions can be expected.
