L 348/108 Official Journal of the European Union 24.12.2008 DECISIONS ADOPTED JOINTLY BY THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL DECISION No 1348/2008/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 16 December 2008 amending Council Directive 76/769/EEC as regards restrictions on the marketing and use of 2-(2- methoxyethoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol, methylenediphenyl diisocyanate, cyclohexane and ammonium nitrate (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 95 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (9, Whereas: ) (1) The risks posed to human health by 2-(2-methoxyetho- xy)ethanol (DEGME), 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol (DEGBE), methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and cyclohexane have been assessed in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 of 23 March @ 1993 on the evaluation and control of the risks of existing substances (*). The risk assessment for all these chemical substances identified the need to limit the risks posed to human health. Those conclusions were confirmed by the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment. (2)  Commission Recommendations 1999/721/EC  of 12 October 1999 on the results of the risk evaluation and on the risk reduction strategies for the substances: 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol; 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol; () OJ C 204, 9.8.2008, p. 13. (3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 9 July 2008 (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the Council of * 18 November 2008. ©) () O] L 84, 5.4.1993, p. 1. ( Alkanes, C10-13, chloro; Benzene, (C10-13-alkyl derivs. () and 2008/98/EC of 6 December 2007 on risk reduction measures for the substances: Piperazine; Cyclohexane; Methylenediphenyl diisocyanate; But-2yne- 1,4-diol; Methyloxirane; Aniline; 2-Ethylhexylacrylate; 1,4-Dichlorobenzene; 3,5-dinitro-2,6-dimethyl-4-tert- butylacetophenone;  Di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate; Phenol; 5-tert-butyl-2.4,6-trinitro-m-xylene (°), adopted within the framework of Regulation (EEC) No 793/93, proposed a strategy for limiting the risks for DEGME, DEGBE, MDI and cyclohexane respectively, recom- mending that restriction measures under Council Directive 76/769[EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approx- imation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and wuse of certain dangerous substances and preparations () must be applied for preparations containing these substances placed on the market for supply to the general public. In order to protect consumers, it therefore appears necessary to restrict the placing on the market and the use of preparations containing DEGME, DEGBE, MDI or cyclohexane for specific applications. DEGME is very rarely used as a constituent of consumer paints, paint strippers, cleaning agents, self-shining emulsions and floor sealants. The aforementioned risk assessment has shown that there is a risk to the health of consumers through dermal exposure to paints and paint-strippers containing DEGME. DEGME used as a constituent of paints and paint strippers should therefore not be placed on the market for supply to the general public. Even though the use of DEGME as a constituent of cleaning agents, self-shining emulsions and floor sealants has not been assessed, it may pose a similar risk and therefore DEGME used as a constituent of those preparations should also not be placed on the market for supply to the general public. A limit value of 0,1 % by mass of DEGME in those preparations should be adopted for market surveillance purposes. 292, 13.11.1999, p. 42. L L 33, 7.2.2008, p. 8. L 262, 27.9.1976, p. 201.