24.7.2012 Official Journal of the European Union L 1971 (Legislative acts) | DIRECTIVES DIRECTIVE 2012/18/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 4 July 2012 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directive 96/82/EC (Text with EEA relevance) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 192(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, After transmission of the draft legislative act to the national parliaments, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), After consulting the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure (3), Whereas: (1) Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances (}) lays down rules for the prevention of major accidents which might result from certain industrial ~ activities and the limitation of their consequences for human health and the environment. (2)  Major accidents often have serious consequences, as evidenced by accidents like Seveso, Bhopal, Schweizer- halle, Enschede, Toulouse and Buncefield. Moreover the impact can extend beyond national borders. This () OJ C 248, 25.8.2011, p. 138. (3) Position of the European Parliament of 14 June 2012 and decision of the Council of 26 June 2012. () OJ L 10, 14.1.1997, p. 13. underlines the need to ensure that appropriate precautionary action is taken to ensure a high level of protection throughout the Union for citizens, commu- nities and the environment. There is therefore a need to ensure that the existing high level of protection remains at least the same or increases. Directive 96/82/EC has been instrumental in reducing the likelihood and consequences of such accidents thereby leading to a better level of protection throughout the Union. A review of that Directive has confirmed that the rate of major accidents has remained stable. While overall the existing provisions are fit for purpose, some changes are required in order to further strengthen the level of protection, in particular with regard to the prevention of major accidents. At the same time the system established by Directive 96/82/EC should be adapted to changes to the Union system of classification of substances and mixtures to which that Directive refers. In addition, a number of other provisions should be clarified and updated. It is therefore appropriate to replace Directive 96/82/EC in order to ensure that the existing level of protection is maintained and further improved, by making the provisions more effective and efficient, and where possible by reducing unnecessary administrative burdens by streamlining or simplification, provided that safety and environmental and human health protection are not compromised. At the same time, the new provisions should be clear, coherent and easy to understand to help improve implementation and enforceability, while the level of protection of human health and the environment remains at least the same or increases. The Commission should cooperate with the Member States on the practical implementation of this Directive. That cooperation should, inter alia, address the issue of self-classification of substances and mixtures. As appropriate, stakeholders such as representatives of industry, workers and non- governmental organisations promoting the protection of human health or the environment should be involved in the implementation of this Directive.