9.1.1999 Official Journal of the European Communities L 5/77 COMMISSION DECISION of 18 December 1998 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to paints and varnishes (notified under document number C(1998) 4257) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/10/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 of 23 March 1992 on a Community eco-label award scheme ('), and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 5(1) thereof, Whereas, by Decision 96/13/EEC (3, the Commission established ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to paints and varnishes, which, according to Article 3 thereof, expire 14 December 1998; Whereas it is appropriate to adopt a new decision estab- lishing criteria for this product group, which will be valid for a further period of three years after the expiry of the period of validity of the previous criteria; Whereas it is appropriate to revise the criteria that were established by Decision 96/13/EEC in order to reflect the developments in the market; Whereas the first subparagraph of Article 5(1) of Regula- tion (EEC) No 880/92 provides that the conditions for the award of the Community eco-label shall be defined by product group; Whereas Article 10(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 states that the environmental performance of a product shall be assessed by reference to the specific criteria for product groups; Whereas Article 4(2)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 states that an eco-label may not be awarded to products which are substances or preparations classified as dangerous in accordance with Council Directive 67/ 548/EEC (%), as last amended by Commission Directive 97/69/EC (*) and Council Directive 88/379/EEC (%), as last amended by Commission Directive 93/18/EEC (°), but that it may be awarded to products containing such () OJ L 99, 11. 4. 1992, P. () O L 4, 6 1. 1996, p. ¢) OJ L 196, 16. 8. 1967p . () OJ L 3 , 13. 12. 1997, p. 19. () OJ L 187, 16. 7. 1988, p. 14. () OJ L 104, 29. 4. 1993, p. 46. substances or preparations in so far as they meet the objectives of the Community eco-label award scheme; Whereas paints and varnishes contain substances or prep- arations classified as dangerous under the Directives mentioned above; Whereas the ecological criteria established by this Decision include restrictions limiting to a minimum the content of substances and preparations classified as dangerous in paints and varnishes which may be awarded on eco-label; Whereas paints and varnishes fulfilling these criteria have therefore reduced environmental impact and meet the objectives of the Community eco-label award scheme; Whereas in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92, the Commission has consulted the principal interest groups within a consultation forum; Whereas the measures set out in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the committee set up under Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The product group ‘indoor paints and varnishes’ shall mean: ‘Indoor paints and varnishes for do-it-yourself and professional users’. Article 2 The environmental performance and the fitness for use of the product group as defined in Article 1 shall be assessed by reference to the specific ecological and fitness-for-use criteria set out in the Annex.