Difference between revisions of "Spain:Spain"

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Last updated on 4 September 2024.
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{{#drawio:Spain|max-width=650px}}
{{#drawio:Spain|max-width=650px}}
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<small>''*'' Host institution of the national EFSA Focal Point. For information on the EFSA Focal Point network, please see the [https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/partnersnetworks/eumembers#focal-points-eu-food-safety-interfaces EFSA website].</small>
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''© worldfoodsafetyalmanac.bfr.berlin''
''© worldfoodsafetyalmanac.bfr.berlin''




<!--T:6-->
Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, together with Law 17/2011 of 5 July on food safety and nutrition, are the foundations of food safety in Spain.  
Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, together with Law 17/2011 of 5 July on food safety and nutrition, are the foundations of food safety in Spain.  


<!--T:7-->
The Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN OA), together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the Ministry of Health, is responsible for the coordination of the food safety control systems at national level. Regional authorities are responsible for the implementation of official controls of food safety within their territory.
The Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN OA), together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the Ministry of Health, is responsible for the coordination of the food safety control systems at national level. Regional authorities are responsible for the implementation of official controls of food safety within their territory.


<!--T:8-->
All the information regarding the organization of the food control system in Spain is included in the Spanish Multiannual National Control Plan, called Plan Nacional de Control Oficial de la Cadena Alimentaria (PNCOCA 2021-2025), available in English in this [https://www.aesan.gob.es/AECOSAN/docs/documentos/seguridad_alimentaria/pncoca/2021-2025/PNCOCA_2021-2025_en_INGLES.pdf link].
All the information regarding the organization of the food control system in Spain is included in the Spanish Multiannual National Control Plan, called Plan Nacional de Control Oficial de la Cadena Alimentaria (PNCOCA 2021-2025), available in English in this [https://www.aesan.gob.es/AECOSAN/docs/documentos/seguridad_alimentaria/pncoca/2021-2025/PNCOCA_2021-2025_en_INGLES.pdf link].


<!--T:9-->
AESAN OA is an autonomous body belonging to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and functionally reports to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
AESAN OA is an autonomous body belonging to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and functionally reports to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.






== Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ==
== Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food == <!--T:10-->
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Name
Line 37: Line 54:
|}
|}


<!--T:11-->
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) is responsible for agricultural policy, animal health, food safety in primary production, plant health, animal welfare, food quality and fraud control in the food industry. MAPA prepares draft national legislations and is responsible for the coordination of official controls, including import and export controls within the scope of its competency.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) is responsible for agricultural policy, animal health, food safety in primary production, plant health, animal welfare, food quality and fraud control in the food industry. MAPA prepares draft national legislations and is responsible for the coordination of official controls, including import and export controls within the scope of its competency.


<!--T:12-->
MAPA is the national contact point for food fraud and for the RASFF (feed), and is a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system).
MAPA is the national contact point for food fraud and for the RASFF (feed), and is a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system).


<!--T:13-->
MAPA is also responsible for the preparation of the risk assessments of plant protection products residues and animal feed, and is also in charge of regulating the use of plant protection products.
MAPA is also responsible for the preparation of the risk assessments of plant protection products residues and animal feed, and is also in charge of regulating the use of plant protection products.


<!--T:14-->
The scope of MAPA’s competencies also covers national decisions on GMOs, through the Interministerial Council on GMOs, on zoonoses as well as on the distribution, prescription, dispensing and use of veterinary medical products. It is also the regulatory authority for pesticides (registration, authorisation and monitoring of use). However, before MAPA authorises the use of pesticides, AESAN OA is consulted with regard to residues in foods, the Ministry of Health is consulted to assess the safety of the user, and MAPA assesses the efficacy of the pesticide in question and its safety for the environment.
The scope of MAPA’s competencies also covers national decisions on GMOs, through the Interministerial Council on GMOs, on zoonoses as well as on the distribution, prescription, dispensing and use of veterinary medical products. It is also the regulatory authority for pesticides (registration, authorisation and monitoring of use). However, before MAPA authorises the use of pesticides, AESAN OA is consulted with regard to residues in foods, the Ministry of Health is consulted to assess the safety of the user, and MAPA assesses the efficacy of the pesticide in question and its safety for the environment.


<!--T:15-->
MAPA has four National Reference Laboratories, in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625:
MAPA has four National Reference Laboratories, in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625:


*Central Veterinary-Animal Health Laboratory (Algete)  
<!--T:16-->
*Central Veterinary-Molecular Genetic Laboratory  
*Central Veterinary-Animal Health Laboratory (Algete), hosting 71 national reference mandates and 1 EU reference mandate for African horse sickness and Bluetongue.
*Central Animal Health Laboratory (Santa Fé)
*Central Veterinary-Molecular Genetic Laboratory, hosting 3 national reference mandates.
*EU Reference Laboratory for African Horse Sickness and Bluetongue.
*Central Animal Health Laboratory (Santa Fe), hosting 27 national reference mandates.
*National Plant Health Laboratory (Lugo), hosting 1 national reference mandate.




== Ministry of Health ==
== Ministry of Health == <!--T:17-->
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Name
Line 67: Line 90:
|-
|-
!Responsibilities
!Responsibilities
|[[File:DrinkingWater.png|Drinking water|link=Drinking water|25px]] [[File:PlantProtection.png|Plant protection products or pesticides|link=Plant protection products or pesticides|25px]]
|[[File:BiologicalHazards.png|Biological hazards and zoonoses|link=Biological hazards and zoonoses|25px]] [[File:Contaminants.png|Contaminants|link=Contaminants|25px]] [[File:DrinkingWater.png|Drinking water|link=Drinking water|25px]] [[File:EmergingRisk.png|Emerging risks|link=Emerging risks|25px]] [[File:FoodContactMaterials.png|Food contact materials and packaging|link=Food contact materials and packaging|25px]] [[File:FoodIngredients.png|Food ingredients|link=Food ingredients|25px]] [[File:FoodSupplements.png|Food supplements|link=Food supplements|25px]] [[File:MineralWater.png|Mineral water|link=Mineral water|25px]] [[File:PlantProtection.png|Plant protection products or pesticides|link=Plant protection products or pesticides|25px]] [[File:ResiduesVeterinary.png|Residues of veterinary medicinal products|link=Residues of veterinary medicinal products|25px]]
|-
|-
!Location
!Location
Line 76: Line 99:
|}
|}


The Ministry of Health (MS) deals with public health policy. Furthermore, the Sub-directorate General of Foreign Health, a dependent body in this Ministry’s Directorate General of Public Health, is responsible for food safety concerning imports and exports and at Border Control Posts (BCPs), including foods of animal and plant origin, food contact materials, and animal by-products for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and medical devices for medical purposes.
<!--T:18-->
The Ministry of Health (MS) deals with public health policy. Furthermore, the Sub-Directorate General of Foreign Health, a dependent body in this Ministry’s General Directorate of Public Health and Health Equity, is responsible for food safety concerning imports and exports of food, including products of animal and non-animal origin and composite products, food contact materials, and animal by-products for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and medical devices for medical purposes.


<!--T:19-->
The regulatory authority for medicines and medical products for human and veterinary use is the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products, a dependent body in the Ministry of Health.
The regulatory authority for medicines and medical products for human and veterinary use is the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products, a dependent body in the Ministry of Health.


== Ministry of Consumer Affairs ==
 
== Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 == <!--T:20-->
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Name
|Ministry of Consumer Affairs
|Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030
|-
|-
!Acronym
!Acronym
|MC
|MDSCA
|-
|-
!Activities
!Activities
Line 99: Line 125:
|-
|-
!URL
!URL
|https://www.mscbs.gob.es/consumo/portada/home.htm
|https://www.dsca.gob.es/es
|}
|}


The Ministry of Consumer Affairs (MC) is responsible for consumer protection, the development of consumer affairs policies, and defending the rights of the consumer. It also prepares draft national legislations and is the contact point for RAPEX and a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system). Within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, AESAN is responsible for all matters relating to food safety.
<!--T:21-->
The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 is responsible for consumer protection, the development of consumer affairs policies, and defending the rights of the consumers. It also drafts national legislation and is the contact point for RAPEX and a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system). Within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, AESAN OA is responsible for all matters relating to food safety.


== Spanish Agency for Food Safety & Nutrition ==
<!--T:22-->
The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 is responsible for the proposal and execution of the National Government's policy on consumer affairs, consumer rights protection and gambling activities at national level.
 
<!--T:23-->
The General Secretariat of Consumer Affairs and Gambling of the MDSCA is made up of three bodies: The General Directorate of Consumer Affairs, the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling and AESAN OA., an autonomous body which is organically attached to this general secretariat. The Head of the General Secretariat is also the President of AESAN OA.
 
<!--T:24-->
The General Directorate of Consumer Affairs (DGC) is responsible for consumer rights protection and the development of consumer affairs policies. It establishes and promotes consumer protection policies in coordination with the autonomous communities (Spanish regions). The DGC is a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system) for non-compliances regarding food mislabeling and food quality and AAC-FF for food fraud cases, both systems integrated in the iRASFF system. It is also the contact point of Rapid Exchange of Information System (RAPEX) for unsafe consumer products and consumer protection.
 
== Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition == <!--T:25-->
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Name
!Name
|Spanish Agency for Food Safety & Nutrition
|Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition
|-
|-
!Acronym
!Acronym
|AESAN
|AESAN OA
|-
|-
!Activities
!Activities
|
|
*Risk assessment
*Risk assessment
*Risk management
*Risk communication
*Risk communication
*Risk management
*Codex Contact Point  
*Codex Contact Point  
*EFSA Focal Point  
*EFSA Focal Point  
*RASFF contact point
*RASFF Contact Point
|-
|-
!Responsibilities
!Responsibilities
Line 128: Line 164:
|-
|-
!URL
!URL
|http://www.aecosan.msssi.gob.es
|https://www.aesan.gob.es/en/AECOSAN/web/home/aecosan_inicio.htm
|}
|}


AESAN is the competent authority for the coordination of food safety within the Ministry of Health and for risk assessments.
<!--T:26-->
 
The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN OA) is the competent authority for the coordination of food safety and nutrition risk assessment and risk management and communication. AESAN’s field of work extends beyond food safety and healthy and sustainable nutrition to physical activity and healthy eating habits.
AESAN is supported by a Scientific Committee comprised of independent external experts in the area of food safety and nutrition who are commissioned to draft risk assessment reports. The Scientific Committee issues updated scientific reports on biological, chemical, technological and nutritional hazards.
 
AESAN also prepares recommendations for the reduction of risks and identifies new health risks.
 
AESAN is also responsible for the risk management of biological, chemical and nutritional hazards and participates in decision-making on GMOs in foods in the Interministerial Council on GMOs.


AESAN is the competent authority for all draft legislations relating to the safety of foods available in Spain, which includes the transposition of EU directives into domestic legislation and the preparation of draft legislations at the national level.
<!--T:27-->
AESAN OA is supported by a Scientific Committee comprised of 20 independent external experts in the area of food and nutrition who are commissioned to draft risk assessment reports. The Scientific Committee issues scientific reports on biological, chemical, technological and nutritional hazards. Risk assessments reports are published in Spanish and English on AESAN’s website.


It is also the competent authority in matters relating to food safety responsible for the coordination of official controls in Spain, and for the coordination and programming of official controls on food safety. It also prepares the National Official Control Plan and its corresponding annual reports in collaboration with MAPA and MS.
<!--T:28-->
AESAN OA is responsible for the risk management of biological, chemical and nutritional hazards, and is the competent authority for all draft legislations relating to food safety and nutrition in Spain, which include the transposition of EU directives into domestic legislation and the preparation of draft legislations at national level.


AESAN also acts as the national contact point for RASFF and is a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system).
<!--T:29-->
It is also the competent authority for the coordination of official controls in Spain, and for the coordination and programming of official controls on food safety and nutrition. It also prepares the Multiannual National Control Plan of Spain in coordination with other authorities involved in food safety, called Plan Nacional de Control Oficial de la Cadena Alimentaria (PNCOCA), available in English in this [https://www.aesan.gob.es/AECOSAN/docs/documentos/seguridad_alimentaria/pncoca/2021-2025/PNCOCA_2021-2025_en_INGLES.pdf link], and also drafts its corresponding annual report.


The remit of AESAN also includes the design and management of communication strategies in relation to food risk, establishing precise mechanisms that facilitate transparent communication of consumer safety risks to the general public, the scientific community and other involved or interested groups.
<!--T:30-->
AESAN OA acts as the national contact point for RASFF and is a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system).


AESAN’s area of work extends beyond food safety to nutrition, physical activity and healthy eating habits.
<!--T:31-->
The remit of AESAN OA also includes the design and management of communication strategies in relation to food safety and nutrition, establishing precise mechanisms that facilitate transparent communication of food safety and nutrition risks to the general public, the scientific community and other involved or interested groups.


AESAN has two National Reference Laboratories in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625. These are the National Reference Laboratory (National Centre for Food (CNA)) and one EU Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins (EURLMB).
<!--T:32-->
AESAN OA has two Reference Laboratories in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625. These are the National Reference Laboratory (National Centre for Food (CNA)) and one Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins (RLMB) which also acts as a European Reference Laboratory.


== Regional and local levels ==
== Regional and local levels == <!--T:33-->


From an administrative point of view, Spain is organised at the regional and local level into 17 autonomous communities, two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla) and 52 provinces. Some regional food safety authorities conduct risk assessments at the local level. The implementation of official controls for food and feed, animal health, animal welfare and plant health is the responsibility of the regional authorities.
<!--T:34-->
From an administrative point of view, Spain is organised in 17 autonomous communities, two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla) and 52 provinces.  
Some regional food safety authorities conduct risk assessments at regional level. The implementation of official controls for food and feed, animal health, animal welfare and plant health is the responsibility of the regional authorities.


== Article 36 institutions ==
== Article 36 institutions == <!--T:35-->


<!--T:36-->
{| class="wikitable"  
{| class="wikitable"  
! Institutions involved in the EFSA network pursuant to Article 36 Reg. (EC) No. 178/2002
! Institutions involved in the EFSA network pursuant to Article 36 Reg. (EC) No. 178/2002
|-
|-
|
|
#Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition
#[https://www.uab.cat/ Autonomous University of Barcelona]
#University Jaume I
#[http://www3.gobiernodecanarias.org/sanidad/scs/ Canary Health Service]
#ELIKA - Basque Foundation for Agrofood Safety  
#[http://www.creda.es/ Centre for Agro-Food Economics and Development]
#University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
#[https://www.ucm.es/ Complutense University of Madrid]
#University of the Balearic Islands
#[https://www.elika.eus/ ELIKA- Basque Foundation for Agrofood Safety]
#Valencian Institute for Agricultural Research  
#[http://www.irta.cat/en/ Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology]
#Centre for Agro-Food Economics and Development  
#[https://eng.isciii.es/eng.isciii.es/Paginas/Inicio.html Institute of Health of Health Carlos III]
#Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology
#[https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/ Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food]
#National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology
#[https://www.mscbs.gob.es/ Ministry of Health]
#Complutense University  
#[https://neiker.eus/es/ NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development]
#University of Santiago de Compostela
#[https://www.upct.es/ Polytechnic University of Cartagena]
#University of Valencia
#[http://www.urv.cat Rovira i Virgili University]
#University of Leon
#[https://www.aesan.gob.es/AECOSAN/web/home/aecosan_inicio.htm Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition]
#Autonomous University of Barcelona
#[https://www.csic.es/es Spanish National Research Council]
#University of Almeria
#[https://www.uc3m.es/ University Carlos III of Madrid]
#University of Lleida
#[https://www.upv.es/es Universitat Politècnica De València]
#Spanish Research Council
#[https://www.uji.es/ University Jaume I]
#University of Seville
#[https://www.ua.es/ University of Alicante]
#University of Castilla - La Mancha
#[https://www.ual.es/ University of Almeria]
#Polytechnic University of Cartagena
#[https://www.ub.edu/web/portal/ca/ University of Barcelona]
#Polytechnic University of València
#[https://www.ubu.es/ University of Burgos]
#NEIKER - Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development
#[http://www.uclm.es/ University of Castilla- La Mancha]
#University of Murcia
#[http://www.uco.es/index.html University of Cordoba]
#University of Granada
#[http://www.ugr.university/ University of Granada]
#University of Barcelona
#[https://www.unirioja.es/ University of La Rioja]
#University of Burgos
#[https://www.ulpgc.es/ University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria]
#University of Vigo
#[https://www.unileon.es/ University of Leon]
#University of the Basque Country  
#[https://www.udl.cat/ca/en University of Lleida]
#University of Cordoba
#[https://www.um.es/ University of Murcia]
#Canary Health Service
#[https://www.uniovi.es/ University of Oviedo]
#Rovira i Virgili University
#[https://www.usc.es/ University of Santiago de Compostela]
#Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
#[https://www.us.es/ University of Seville]
#Institute of Health Carlos III
#[https://www.uib.cat/ University of the Balearic Islands]
#University of La Rioja
#[https://www.ehu.eus/es/home University of the Basque Country]
#University of Alicante
#[https://www.uv.es/ University of Valencia]
#University of Oviedo
#[https://www.uvigo.gal/ University of Vigo]
#[https://www.unizar.es/ University of Zaragoza]
#[http://www.ivia.gva.es Valencian Institute for Agricultural Research]
#[http://www.gaiker.es/ing/index.aspx Gaiker]
#[https://en.urjc.es/ Rey Juan Carlos University]
|}
|}
</translate>

Latest revision as of 13:22, 4 September 2024

Other languages:
English • ‎español

Last updated on 4 September 2024.

drawio: Spain

* Host institution of the national EFSA Focal Point. For information on the EFSA Focal Point network, please see the EFSA website.

© worldfoodsafetyalmanac.bfr.berlin


Regulation (EC) No 178/2002, together with Law 17/2011 of 5 July on food safety and nutrition, are the foundations of food safety in Spain.

The Spanish Food Safety and Nutrition Agency (AESAN OA), together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the Ministry of Health, is responsible for the coordination of the food safety control systems at national level. Regional authorities are responsible for the implementation of official controls of food safety within their territory.

All the information regarding the organization of the food control system in Spain is included in the Spanish Multiannual National Control Plan, called Plan Nacional de Control Oficial de la Cadena Alimentaria (PNCOCA 2021-2025), available in English in this link.

AESAN OA is an autonomous body belonging to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and functionally reports to the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.


Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food

Name Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Acronym MAPA
Activities
  • Agricultural policy, health in primary production
  • Risk assessment
  • Risk management
Responsibilities Animal feed Animal health and welfare Biological hazards and zoonoses Biotechnology and genetic engineering Contaminants Plant health Plant protection products or pesticides Residues of veterinary medicinal products
Location Madrid
URL https://www.mapa.gob.es/en/

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) is responsible for agricultural policy, animal health, food safety in primary production, plant health, animal welfare, food quality and fraud control in the food industry. MAPA prepares draft national legislations and is responsible for the coordination of official controls, including import and export controls within the scope of its competency.

MAPA is the national contact point for food fraud and for the RASFF (feed), and is a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system).

MAPA is also responsible for the preparation of the risk assessments of plant protection products residues and animal feed, and is also in charge of regulating the use of plant protection products.

The scope of MAPA’s competencies also covers national decisions on GMOs, through the Interministerial Council on GMOs, on zoonoses as well as on the distribution, prescription, dispensing and use of veterinary medical products. It is also the regulatory authority for pesticides (registration, authorisation and monitoring of use). However, before MAPA authorises the use of pesticides, AESAN OA is consulted with regard to residues in foods, the Ministry of Health is consulted to assess the safety of the user, and MAPA assesses the efficacy of the pesticide in question and its safety for the environment.

MAPA has four National Reference Laboratories, in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625:

  • Central Veterinary-Animal Health Laboratory (Algete), hosting 71 national reference mandates and 1 EU reference mandate for African horse sickness and Bluetongue.
  • Central Veterinary-Molecular Genetic Laboratory, hosting 3 national reference mandates.
  • Central Animal Health Laboratory (Santa Fe), hosting 27 national reference mandates.
  • National Plant Health Laboratory (Lugo), hosting 1 national reference mandate.


Ministry of Health

Name Ministry of Health
Acronym MS
Activities
  • Public health policy
  • Risk management
Responsibilities Biological hazards and zoonoses Contaminants Drinking water Emerging risks Food contact materials and packaging Food ingredients Food supplements Mineral water Plant protection products or pesticides Residues of veterinary medicinal products
Location Madrid
URL https://www.mscbs.gob.es/en/sanidad/portada/home.htm

The Ministry of Health (MS) deals with public health policy. Furthermore, the Sub-Directorate General of Foreign Health, a dependent body in this Ministry’s General Directorate of Public Health and Health Equity, is responsible for food safety concerning imports and exports of food, including products of animal and non-animal origin and composite products, food contact materials, and animal by-products for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and medical devices for medical purposes.

The regulatory authority for medicines and medical products for human and veterinary use is the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products, a dependent body in the Ministry of Health.


Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030

Name Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030
Acronym MDSCA
Activities
  • Consumer protection
Responsibilities Biological hazards and zoonoses Contaminants Emerging risks Food contact materials and packaging Food ingredients Food supplements Mineral water Nanotechnology Novel foods Nutrition Plant protection products or pesticides Residues of veterinary medicinal products
Location Madrid
URL https://www.dsca.gob.es/es

The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 is responsible for consumer protection, the development of consumer affairs policies, and defending the rights of the consumers. It also drafts national legislation and is the contact point for RAPEX and a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system). Within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, AESAN OA is responsible for all matters relating to food safety.

The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 is responsible for the proposal and execution of the National Government's policy on consumer affairs, consumer rights protection and gambling activities at national level.

The General Secretariat of Consumer Affairs and Gambling of the MDSCA is made up of three bodies: The General Directorate of Consumer Affairs, the General Directorate for the Regulation of Gambling and AESAN OA., an autonomous body which is organically attached to this general secretariat. The Head of the General Secretariat is also the President of AESAN OA.

The General Directorate of Consumer Affairs (DGC) is responsible for consumer rights protection and the development of consumer affairs policies. It establishes and promotes consumer protection policies in coordination with the autonomous communities (Spanish regions). The DGC is a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system) for non-compliances regarding food mislabeling and food quality and AAC-FF for food fraud cases, both systems integrated in the iRASFF system. It is also the contact point of Rapid Exchange of Information System (RAPEX) for unsafe consumer products and consumer protection.

Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition

Name Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition
Acronym AESAN OA
Activities
  • Risk assessment
  • Risk management
  • Risk communication
  • Codex Contact Point
  • EFSA Focal Point
  • RASFF Contact Point
Responsibilities Biological hazards and zoonoses Contaminants Emerging risks Food contact materials and packaging Food ingredients Food supplements Mineral water Nanotechnology Novel foods Nutrition Plant protection products or pesticides Residues of veterinary medicinal products
Location Madrid
URL https://www.aesan.gob.es/en/AECOSAN/web/home/aecosan_inicio.htm

The Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN OA) is the competent authority for the coordination of food safety and nutrition risk assessment and risk management and communication. AESAN’s field of work extends beyond food safety and healthy and sustainable nutrition to physical activity and healthy eating habits.

AESAN OA is supported by a Scientific Committee comprised of 20 independent external experts in the area of food and nutrition who are commissioned to draft risk assessment reports. The Scientific Committee issues scientific reports on biological, chemical, technological and nutritional hazards. Risk assessments reports are published in Spanish and English on AESAN’s website.

AESAN OA is responsible for the risk management of biological, chemical and nutritional hazards, and is the competent authority for all draft legislations relating to food safety and nutrition in Spain, which include the transposition of EU directives into domestic legislation and the preparation of draft legislations at national level.

It is also the competent authority for the coordination of official controls in Spain, and for the coordination and programming of official controls on food safety and nutrition. It also prepares the Multiannual National Control Plan of Spain in coordination with other authorities involved in food safety, called Plan Nacional de Control Oficial de la Cadena Alimentaria (PNCOCA), available in English in this link, and also drafts its corresponding annual report.

AESAN OA acts as the national contact point for RASFF and is a user of the Administrative Assistance and Cooperation System (AAC system).

The remit of AESAN OA also includes the design and management of communication strategies in relation to food safety and nutrition, establishing precise mechanisms that facilitate transparent communication of food safety and nutrition risks to the general public, the scientific community and other involved or interested groups.

AESAN OA has two Reference Laboratories in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625. These are the National Reference Laboratory (National Centre for Food (CNA)) and one Reference Laboratory for Marine Biotoxins (RLMB) which also acts as a European Reference Laboratory.

Regional and local levels

From an administrative point of view, Spain is organised in 17 autonomous communities, two autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla) and 52 provinces. Some regional food safety authorities conduct risk assessments at regional level. The implementation of official controls for food and feed, animal health, animal welfare and plant health is the responsibility of the regional authorities.

Article 36 institutions

Institutions involved in the EFSA network pursuant to Article 36 Reg. (EC) No. 178/2002
  1. Autonomous University of Barcelona
  2. Canary Health Service
  3. Centre for Agro-Food Economics and Development
  4. Complutense University of Madrid
  5. ELIKA- Basque Foundation for Agrofood Safety
  6. Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology
  7. Institute of Health of Health Carlos III
  8. Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
  9. Ministry of Health
  10. NEIKER-Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development
  11. Polytechnic University of Cartagena
  12. Rovira i Virgili University
  13. Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition
  14. Spanish National Research Council
  15. University Carlos III of Madrid
  16. Universitat Politècnica De València
  17. University Jaume I
  18. University of Alicante
  19. University of Almeria
  20. University of Barcelona
  21. University of Burgos
  22. University of Castilla- La Mancha
  23. University of Cordoba
  24. University of Granada
  25. University of La Rioja
  26. University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
  27. University of Leon
  28. University of Lleida
  29. University of Murcia
  30. University of Oviedo
  31. University of Santiago de Compostela
  32. University of Seville
  33. University of the Balearic Islands
  34. University of the Basque Country
  35. University of Valencia
  36. University of Vigo
  37. University of Zaragoza
  38. Valencian Institute for Agricultural Research
  39. Gaiker
  40. Rey Juan Carlos University
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