Considerations on COM(2000)260 - Amendment of Council Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations (Short Chain Chlorinated Paraffins)

Please note

This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.

 
 
(1) Limitations already adopted or planned by certain Member States on the use of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) following PARCOM (Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution from Land-Based Sources) Decision 95/1 directly affect the completion and functioning of the internal market; it is therefore necessary to approximate the laws of the Member States in this field and consequently to amend Annex I to Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations [4] taking into account Community risk-assessments and the relevant scientific evidence in support of PARCOM Decision 95/1.

(2) SCCPs are classified as dangerous to the environment, since they are very toxic to aquatic organisms and may cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.

(3) The Commission has adopted a Recommendation, in the framework of Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 of 23 March 1993 on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing substances [5], calling for specific measures to restrict the use of SCCPs, in particular in metalworking fluids and leather finishing products, in order to protect the aquatic environment.

(4) The remaining uses of all chlorinated paraffins are to be reviewed in the light of relevant scientific knowledge, in particular with regard to emissions containing chlorinated paraffins. The Commission should make appropriate proposals to reduce such uses.

(5) On 27 November 1998 the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (CSTEE) delivered its opinion on the risks of SCCPs, as identified by the Recommendation.

(6) This Directive applies without prejudice to Community legislation on protection of the safety and health of workers at work, in particular Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work [6] and Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risk related to chemical agents at work (fourteenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) [7].