European Commission's Appeal on EFSA Guidance Document Access Denied

Background of the Case

The case originated from a request by Pollinis France, an environmental NGO, seeking access to documents concerning the EFSA's guidance on the risk assessment of plant protection products on bees. The Commission had initially refused access, citing the protection of its decision-making process under Article 4(3) of Regulation No 1049/2001. However, the General Court annulled this decision, leading to the Commission's appeal.

Court's Rationale

The CJEU upheld the General Court's decision, emphasising the importance of transparency in EU institutions. The Court noted that the Commission's decision-making process was not ongoing at the time of the request, as the revision of the guidance document was still pending. Therefore, the exception to public access was not applicable.

Implications for Public Access

This ruling reinforces the principle of openness within the EU, as outlined in Regulation No 1049/2001, which aims to provide the public with the widest possible access to documents. The decision highlights the need for EU institutions to justify any refusal of access with specific and foreseeable risks to their decision-making processes.

Impact on Chemical Legislation

The EFSA's guidance document is crucial for evaluating plant protection products, particularly concerning their impact on bees. This decision ensures that stakeholders, including environmental groups and the public, have access to information that could influence the regulation and use of such chemicals.

Future Considerations

The Commission's discretion in adopting or amending guidance documents remains, but this case sets a precedent for how transparency and public interest are balanced against institutional confidentiality. The decision may prompt a review of how EU bodies handle document access requests, especially those related to environmental and public health matters.