WRITTEN QUESTION No. 642/99 by Gerhard SCHMID Denmark's ban on lead crystal imports
C 370/80 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 21. 12. 1999 The Commission is encouraged by the continued functioning and independence of the Zimbabwean judiciary, but it will follow closely the evolution of the situation. At the initiative of the Commission, the Africa working group of the Council has scheduled a special meeting on Zimbabwe on 29 April 1999. (1999/C 370/109) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0638/99 by Hanja Maij-Weggen (PPE) to the Commission (16 March 1999) Subject: Arrest of a human rights activist in Indonesia Is the Commission aware of the arrest of a peaceful human rights activist, Mr Izack Windesi, together with eight others, in Irian Jaya? Is the Commission prepared to ask the Indonesian authorities for clarification of the charges brought against these people and of the trial proceedings? Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (19 April 1999) The Commission is informed that Iszack Windesl was arrested in February 1999 in Irian Jaya with a number of other militants and is still in custody. The Commission is currently trying to collect as much further information as possible, in cooperation with the Member States, with a view to approaching the Indonesian authorities on this case. (1999/C 370/110) WRITTEN QUESTION E-0642/99 by Gerhard Schmid (PSE) to the Commission (16 March 1999) Subject: Denmark’s ban on lead crystal imports 1. Does the Commission know whether lead in ionic form can be released from lead crystal? 2. What is the Commission’s assessment of the notification of an ‘Order concerning a ban on the import, sale and manufacture of lead and certain products containing lead’ by the Danish Government in the light of the ban on importing lead crystal that it contains? Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission (30 April 1999) While lead-crystal products are being manufactured at very high temperatures, their lead content becomes an integral part of the glass matrix, and displays a high degree of chemical and physical stability. Leaching of the lead is currently covered by an (ISO) standard governing the release of lead from lead crystal tableware. It sets limits of 2,50 parts per million (ppm) of lead (Pb) for large holloware and 5,00 ppm of Pb for small holloware. A revised standard is currently being prepared and will set limits of 0,75 ppm of Pb for large holloware and 1,50 ppm of Pb for small holloware. The International Crystal Federation has already adopted these new levels as voluntary standards which are being applied and met. Indeed, on 31 December 1998, as part of the procedure laid down by Directive 98/34/EC of 22 June 1998, consolidating Directive 83/189/EEC and its successive amendments, which lays down a procedure the Danish for the provision of authorities notified the Commission of a draft decree banning the import, sale and production of lead and of certain products containing lead. technical standards and regulations (1), information in the field of