
Article 1 
The Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006 is amended as follows:

1.. point 2.2.11 is replaced by the following points:
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2.2.11. 

 Capsicum spp. (dried fruits thereof, whole or ground, including chillies, chilli powder, cayenne and paprika)
 Piper spp. (fruits thereof, including white and black pepper)
 Myristica fragrans (nutmeg)
 Zingiber officinale (ginger)
 Curcuma longa (turmeric)

Mixtures of spices containing one or more of the abovementioned spices
 30 μg/kg as from 1.7.2010 until 30.6.201215 μg/kg as from 1.7.2012
2.2.12. Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra, Glycyrrhiza inflate and other species) 
2.2.12.1. Liquorice root, ingredient for herbal infusion 20 μg/kg
2.2.12.2. Liquorice extract (42), for use in food in particular beverages and confectionary 80 μg/kg'
2.. The following footnote is added:
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(42) The maximum level applies to the pure and undiluted extract, obtained whereby 1 kg of extract is obtained from 3 to 4 kg liquorice root).
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Article 2 
Interested parties shall communicate to the Commission the results of investigations undertaken including occurrence data and the progress with regard to the application of prevention measures to avoid contamination by ochratoxin A in spices.
Member States should report to the Commission findings on ochratoxin A in spices on a regular basis.
The Commission will make this information available to the Member States in view of an assessment, before the stricter level applies, of the achievability in the different producing regions in the world of the stricter level for ochratoxin A in spices by applying good practices.
Article 3 
This Regulation shall not apply to products which were placed on the market at a date prior to 1 July 2010 in conformity with the provisions applicable at such date.
The maximum level for ochratoxin A established in point 2.2.11 of the Annex which is applicable as from 1 July 2012 shall not apply to products which were placed on the market at a date prior to 1 July 2012 in conformity with the provisions applicable at such date.
The burden of proving when the products were placed on the market shall be borne by the food business operator.
Article 4 
This Regulation shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
It shall apply from 1 July 2010.
This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.Done at Brussels, 5 February 2010.
For the Commission
The President
José Manuel BARROSO