Technical group of sensory and chemical assessors
Article 12
1. A technical group of sensory and chemical assessors (‘the technical group’) shall be set up to provide the panel with an assessment of the sensory and, where appropriate, chemical properties of the test product as part of the procedure laid down in Article 10. The technical group shall be composed of: (a) two qualified persons selected on the basis of their knowledge, skills and experience in sensory analysis who shall be responsible for recruitment, training and supervision of the sensory assessors; (b) sensory assessors recruited on the basis of their olfactory discrimination ability and their capacity to perceive, analyse and interpret smells, and who have reached the age of majority as laid down in applicable national legislation; and (c) two persons selected on the basis of their knowledge and skills in chemical and laboratory analysis who shall be responsible for the chemical analysis of test products. 2. A public procurement procedure shall be established for the selection of a contractor with responsibility for setting up the technical group. The contractor shall have at its disposal the minimum technical expertise and equipment as specified in the call for tender and include the persons referred to in paragraph 1(a) and (c). The call for tender and associated contractual documentation shall specify that the technical group is under an obligation to act independently and protect confidential information and personal data. It shall further contain a requirement that each group member return a duly completed declaration of interest before engaging in any work for the technical group. In addition, the call for tender and associated contractual documentation shall contain, at least, the following elements: (a) a description of the technical group's main functions; (b) specifications relating to the establishment, management and operation of the technical group, including technical specifications applicable to the performance of the group's functions; (c) specifications concerning the technical expertise and equipment that must be available to the contractor; (d) specifications relating to the recruitment of sensory assessors. Such specifications shall include a requirement that sensory assessors may only be recruited following approval by the Commission of the candidates proposed. 3. The technical group's sensory analysis shall be based on the methodology established pursuant to Article 9. 4. The sensory analysis shall be complemented, where appropriate, by a chemical assessment of the product composition through chemical analyses. This assessment shall be carried out in a manner that produces accurate, consistent and reproducible results. The process and results of the chemical assessment shall be documented. 5. The technical group shall deliver the results of the product testing to the panel by a date agreed by the panel. 6. The work of the technical group shall be subject to the limits of the annual budget allocated to it by the Commission.