The European Food Safety Authority's Scientific Committee and Panels are composed of independent scientific experts who carry out scientific assessments and develop related assessment methodologies, and the membership of these groups is renewed every three years. A call is launched one year before each renewal. Following a thorough selection process, experts are nominated by the EFSA Management Board based on a shortlist submitted by the Executive Director.
EFSA has launched a call to renew membership of two of its Scientific Panels: the Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources Added to Food (ANS) and the Panel on Food Contact Materials, Enzymes, Flavourings and Processing Aids (CEF). The ANS Panel evaluates the safety of food additives, nutrient sources, and other substances intentionally added to food, but excluding flavourings and enzymes. The CEF Panel addresses questions related to safety in the use of materials in contact with food (substances used to manufacture food contact materials and processes to recycle plastics intended for food contact), food enzymes, flavouring substances, processing aids, and processes. The work of the two Panels mainly concerns substances evaluated by EFSA before their use can be authorized in the European Union. The deadline for applications is 30 June 2016. For more information see the EFSA website.