La légitimation par les normes : experts transnationaux,Commission européenne et la régulation des aliments nouveaux

How are voluntary standards put to use in EU policies? The example of importing a voluntary, private, standard for the safety of new foodstuffs in the drafting of EU policy serves as basis for interpreting the power relations between: supporters of the standard, scientific experts and the European Commission. Far from being a mere linear transfer, importing a standard gives rise to exchanges, competition and objections as the bounds are drawn around a policy sector and the scope of interventions by each party in the sector is defined. The scope of action won by scientific experts thanks to a standard that enlarges their role in regulating new foodstuffs has as a counterpart the European Commission's authority, which is based on controlling how EU law is interpreted.