FAQ

Why are substances that occur in nature like glycerol described as derived natural substances in Annex 3?

Glycerol is chemically bound to fatty acids and is a component in fatty oils. In free form it is to be found in the metabolism of all living beings, but never at concentrations which permit ecologically or economically justifiable extraction. Glycerol, however, always emerges as a by-product e.g. in the production of soap from vegetable oils and fats or in the production of biofuel. Hence glycerol perfectly matches the definition of derived natural substances. They are extracted from natural substances using, if possible, simple processes. In this case this involves the cleaving of oils and fats with the help of water into glycerol and fatty acid derivatives.