Council Directive 84/500/EEC of 15 October 1984 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to ceramic articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs2 is a specific measure within the meaning of Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004. It concerns the possible migration of lead and cadmium from ceramic articles which, in their finished state, are intended to come into contact with foodstuffs, or which are in contact with foodstuffs, and are intended for that purpose.

Article 16 of Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 provides that the specific measures are to require that materials and articles covered by those measures are accompanied by a written declaration stating that they comply with the rules applicable to them.

That requirement has not yet been set out in Directive 84/500/EEC. There is a need to lay down that obligation for all ceramic articles which are not yet in contact with foodstuffs to clearly distinguish them from decorative articles.

The national competent authorities should have access to documents demonstrating that the ceramic articles comply with the migration limits for lead and cadmium. Therefore, the manufacturer or importer into the Community should make information concerning analysis carried out available to them on request.

Directive 84/500/EEC lays down a method for the analysis of lead and cadmium. Technological progress has been made in that area and the analytical method set out in that Directive is only one amongst several possible methods. This Directive should take technological progress into account and establish a set of performance criteria that the analytical method must comply with having regard to Commission Directive 2001/22/EC of 8 March 2001 laying down the sampling methods of analysis for the official control of the levels of lead, cadmium, mercury and 3-MCPD in foodstuffs3.

In accordance with the principle of proportionality, it is necessary and appropriate for the achievement of the basic objective of ensuring the free movement of ceramic articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs to lay down rules for a correct enforcement of Directive 84/500/EEC. This Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve the objectives pursued, in accordance with the third paragraph of Article 5 of the Treaty.

Directive 84/500/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.

The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health,