. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/N/BEL/18
26 July 2001
(01-3714)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:  French
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   BELGIUM
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):
2. Agency responsible:
Belgium - Walloon Region
Walloon ParliamentRue Saint-Nicolas 24
B-5000 Namur
Tel.:  +32 81 25-1373
Fax:  +32 81 22-9327
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers and E-mail and Web site
addresses, if available) of  theagency or authority designated to handle comments
regarding the notification, if different from above:
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [  X ], 2.10.1 [    ], 5.6.2 [    ], 5.7.1 [    ], other:
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):   Engine oils and
lubricants, gear oils, hydraulic fluids and grease for machinery equipped with an internal
combustion engine or hydraulic system and used in felling, haulage and other forestry
operations.
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:
- Proposal for a Decree Amending Title VI of the Belgian Forestry Code, presented
by M.D. Smeets (Doc. 29 (SE 1999), No. 1).
- Amendments Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 (Doc. 29 (SE 1999), No. 2) to the proposal for a
Decree Amending Title VI of the Belgian Forestry Code, presented by
M.D. Smeets.
6. Description of content:   The proposal updates the forest protection measures outlined in
the Belgian Forestry Code by including damage caused by the spillage of oil, hydraulic fluid
and grease during forestry operations.
It requires all users of mechanical appliances equipped with an internal combustion
engine or hydraulic system and involved in felling, haulage and other forestry operations to
use the lubricant products approved by the executory decisions of the Walloon Government.
It also makes provision for fines in the event of infringement.
The obligation set out in the proposal applies to all Walloon forests, including
private ones, but does not affect traffic on forest roads or rides.G/TBT/N/BEL/18
Page 2
7. Objective and rationale, including the na ture of urgent problems where applicable:
The Belgian Forestry Code, which dates back to 1854, contains provisions designed
to protect forests from damage caused by logging.  It could not, however, foresee the
adverse effects of the use of power machinery for forestry work.
Scientific studies conducted in Germany and Scandinavia have called attention to
the pollution resulting from absorption into the soil of increasing amounts of mineral oils
and lubricants from motor engines.
The non-biodegradable oil generally used by foresters is not easily assimilated into
the soil and results in long-term pollution, especially in environmentally sensitive areas.
The proposal aims to put an end to such involuntary damage by requiring foresters
to use products approved by the Walloon Government to lubricate their engines and
hydraulic systems.
The use of biodegradable lubricants limits serious pollution in the event of spillage
or accidental loss during forestry operations.  Their performance proves identical to, indeed
even better than, that of traditional oils at a cost which is only marginally higher.
The use of biodegradable lubricants already features in the tender specifications of
some Walloon communes and districts.  Forest protection measures and working conditionsneed to be standardized throughout the entire Walloon territory.
8. Relevant documents:
9. Proposed date of adoption:
Proposed date of entry into force: }60 days
10. Final date for comments:
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [  X ] or address, telephone and fax
numbers and E-mail and Web site addresses, if available, of another body:
CIBELNOR