Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2002-04-09-Speech-2-273"
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"en.20020409.12.2-273"2
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"Mr President, I wish firstly to thank the MEPs for their interest in this proposal, and I naturally want to convey special thanks to the rapporteur, Mrs Ries, for her constructive work.
This is certainly an important directive, involving a ban on the use of the substance pentabromodiphenyl, or pentaBDE, which a risk assessment has revealed constitutes an environmental risk. The substance accumulates in nature and, as has already been pointed out, it has been found in mother’s milk. The directive is far-reaching, covering all uses of pentaBDE and all types of goods containing this substance. The directive is based on the precautionary principle. The proposed directive does not entail the risk of fires starting or an increase in risks to the environment, because there are already suitable alternatives available.
I can understand and share the anxiety felt by MEPs regarding other, closely related substances not included in the original area of application of the proposed directive, and I wish to comment on this, as well as on the issue of timing.
The Commission is actively investigating the risks presented by the two closely related substances, oktaBDE and dekaBDE, as well as the risks which might arise due to fire if these substances were to be banned from the market. The Commission’s attitude is that we must minimise the overall risks. We shall soon have finished this risk assessment in relation to oktaBDE and dekaBDE, and we expect to have information before the end of the year about the consequences of banning these substances in terms both of a reduction in the chemical risk and a possible increase in the risks due to fires.
On the basis of the results of this work, the Commission will table a new proposal at the beginning of next year, that is to say at the beginning of 2003. The Commission will also give clear instructions to all the parties concerned to hurry up and complete the assessments, if possible before the end of the year. Against this background, it is not now possible for the Commission to approve those of Parliament’s amendments designed to extend the scope of the proposed directive to include a total and immediate ban on oktaBDE and dekaBDE as well. The amendments concerned are numbers 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Nor is the Commission able to approve the amendment according to which there would be a total ban on dekaBDE as from 1 January 2006 if the risk assessment were to show that there are risks associated with the substance. That is because it would be possible for suitable measures to enter into force much sooner than 2006 if these should prove necessary.
I assure MEPs that, at the first possible opportunity, the Commission will take action in relation to these substances so that the precautionary principle is complied with. I also hope that MEPs are aware of the fact that the Commission has proposed a ban on these three substances – penta-, okta- and dekadiphenyls – in our proposal for a directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. We are concerned here with Mr Florenz’s report, which has also been debated during this sitting. Let me emphasise that the Commission will ensure that the proposal we shall table early next year concerning oktaBDE and dekaBDE will be compatible with our proposal to restrict hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
Because the risk assessment in relation to oktaBDE and dekaBDE is far advanced, it will be possible, if need be, for the Commission to take measures much earlier than in 2006. Once the risk assessments have been concluded and an investigation made into the availability of replacement products, it should be possible to establish in which cases there are risks associated with use of the substances. Suitable measures can then be taken immediately. Because the assessments will be ready shortly, it will be possible for the measures decided upon to begin to be applied well before 2006.
On the basis of the assurances I have now given on behalf of the Commission, I look forward to this very urgent draft law’s being adopted as soon as possible. I should like to thank MEPs for this debate."@en1
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