WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2763/97 by Karla PEIJS to the Commission. Commission proposal for a ban on colourants and aromatic substances in paraffin under implementation of Council Directive 76/769/EEC
3. 4. 98 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 102/113 (98/C 102/163) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2763/97 by Karla Peijs (PPE) to the Commission (1 September 1997) Subject: Commission proposal for a ban on colourants and aromatic substances in paraffin under implementa- tion of Council Directive 76/769/EEC To what extent does the Commission proposal concerning paraffin involve adaptation to technical progress 1. within the meaning of Directive 89/678/EEC (1) amending Directive 76/769/EEC (2)? Has the Commission sufficiently researched the hazards actually existing in this area? If so what were its 2. findings? Has the Commission sufficiently investigated the effectiveness of the proposed measures with a view to 3. reducing such hazards? If so, what were its findings? Is the Commission aware that such health hazards occur chiefly as a result of unsafe paraffin lamps? What 4. measures has it considered with a view to reducing this hazard? 5. To what extent can the Commission justify the proposed measure in view of its major financial implications for certain companies within the European Union, given that other effective measures could be taken, resulting in a considerably smaller burden on these companies? (1) OJ L 398, 30. 12. 1989, p. 24. (2) OJ L 262, 27. 9. 1976, p. 201. Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (8 October 1997) Council Directive 89/677/EEC (1), amending for the eighth time Directive 76/769/EEC, restricts the use of 1. liquid substances and preparations which are dangerous in the meaning of Community legislation. The proposed adaptation to technical progress restricts, in line with Article 2a of Directive 76/769/EEC, the use of a subset of these liquid substances and preparations, that is certain coloured or perfumed liquid dangerous substances which can be used as fuels in decorative lamps. The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its joint answer to written questions No 2302/97, 2 2377/97 and 2415/97 by Ms Jackson and Mr Cassidy (2). 3. and 4. small children of poisoning by lamp-oils. The package consists of four elements: The proposed Commission directive is one element of a package of measures to reduce the risks to › bottles containing lamp-oil must in accordance with Directive 88/379/EEC be labelled and have child resistant fastenings as the lamp-oils present an aspiration hazard; › coloured and perfumed oils must not according to the proposed Directive be placed on the market in quantities of less than 15 litres › a standard for the safe design of oil-lamps is to be prepared by the Comite· europe·en de normalisation; › an information campaign alerting parents to the dangers of lamp-oils is underway This strategy addresses the risks arising from both the oils and the lamps and includes measures aimed at reducing the risks posed to children in all situations. 5. The proposed strategy will serve to protect the health of children effectively without totally banning the substances used as fuel in lamps. It is the least onerous package of measures that ensure the necessary high level of protection for consumers. (1) OJ L 398, 30. 12. 1989. (2) OJ C 60, 25. 2. 1998, p. 122