# Official Journal C 172E/12 J

| | ISSN 1725-2423 |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 172E |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 4812 July 2005 |

ISSN 1725-2423

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 172E

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 4812 July 2005

---

| Notice No | Contents | page |
| --- | --- | --- |
| | I   Information |
| | Council |
| 2005/C 172E/1 | Common Position (EC) No 23/2005 of 12 April 2005 adopted by the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, with a view to adopting a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the management of waste from extractive industries and amending Directive 2004/35/EC | 1 |
| 2005/C 172E/2 | Common Position (EC) No 24/2005 of 18 April 2005 adopted by the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, with a view to adopting a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (optical radiation) (19th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) | 26 |

Notice No

Contents

page

I   Information

Council

2005/C 172E/1

Common Position (EC) No 23/2005 of 12 April 2005 adopted by the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, with a view to adopting a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the management of waste from extractive industries and amending Directive 2004/35/EC

1

2005/C 172E/2

Common Position (EC) No 24/2005 of 18 April 2005 adopted by the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 251 of the Treaty establishing the European Community, with a view to adopting a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (optical radiation) (19th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)

26

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

---

I Information

Council

| 12.7.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 172/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.7.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 172/1

---

COMMON POSITION (EC) No 23/2005

adopted by the Council on 12 April 2005

with a view to adopting Directive 2005/.../EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of ... on the management of waste from extractive industries and amending Directive 2004/35/EC

(2005/C 172 E/01)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 175(1) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1),

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2),

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3),

Whereas:

| (1) | The Communication of the Commission entitled ‘Safe operation of mining activities: a follow-up to recent mining accidents’ sets out as one of its priority actions an initiative to regulate the management of waste from the extractive industries. This action is designed to complement initiatives pursuant to Directive 2003/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2003 amending Council Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances (4), as well as the production of a best available technique document covering the management of waste rock and tailings from mining activities under the auspices of Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (5). |
| --- | --- |

(1)

The Communication of the Commission entitled ‘Safe operation of mining activities: a follow-up to recent mining accidents’ sets out as one of its priority actions an initiative to regulate the management of waste from the extractive industries. This action is designed to complement initiatives pursuant to Directive 2003/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2003 amending Council Directive 96/82/EC on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances (4), as well as the production of a best available technique document covering the management of waste rock and tailings from mining activities under the auspices of Council Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 concerning integrated pollution prevention and control (5).

| (2) | In its Resolution (6) of 5 July 2001 concerning that Communication, the European Parliament strongly supported the need for a Directive on waste from the extractive industries. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

In its Resolution (6) of 5 July 2001 concerning that Communication, the European Parliament strongly supported the need for a Directive on waste from the extractive industries.

| (3) | Decision No 1600/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 July 2002 laying down the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme (7), sets as the objective for wastes that are still generated that the level of their hazardousness should be reduced and that they should present as little risk as possible, that preference should be given to recovery and especially to recycling, that the quantity of waste for disposal should be minimised and should be safely disposed of, and that waste intended for disposal should be treated as closely as possible to the place of its generation to the extent that this does not lead to a decrease in the efficiency of waste treatment operations. Decision No 1600/2002/EC also prescribes as a priority action, with reference to accidents and disasters, the development of measures to help prevent major accident hazards, with special regard to those arising from mining, and the development of measures on mining waste. Decision No 1600/2002/EC also sets as a priority action the promotion of sustainable management of extractive industries with a view to reducing their environmental impact. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Decision No 1600/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 July 2002 laying down the Sixth Community Environment Action Programme (7), sets as the objective for wastes that are still generated that the level of their hazardousness should be reduced and that they should present as little risk as possible, that preference should be given to recovery and especially to recycling, that the quantity of waste for disposal should be minimised and should be safely disposed of, and that waste intended for disposal should be treated as closely as possible to the place of its generation to the extent that this does not lead to a decrease in the efficiency of waste treatment operations. Decision No 1600/2002/EC also prescribes as a priority action, with reference to accidents and disasters, the development of measures to help prevent major accident hazards, with special regard to those arising from mining, and the development of measures on mining waste. Decision No 1600/2002/EC also sets as a priority action the promotion of sustainable management of extractive industries with a view to reducing their environmental impact.

| (4) | In accordance with the objectives of Community policy on the environment, it is necessary to lay down minimum requirements in order to prevent or reduce, as far as possible, any adverse effects on the environment or on human health which are brought about as a result of the management of waste from the extractive industries, such as tailings (i.e. the waste solids or slurries that remain after the treatment of minerals by a number of techniques), waste rock and overburden (i.e. the material that extractive operations move during the process of accessing an ore or mineral body, including during the pre-production development stage), and topsoil (i.e. the upper layer of the ground) provided that they constitute waste as defined in Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste (8). |
| --- | --- |

(4)

In accordance with the objectives of Community policy on the environment, it is necessary to lay down minimum requirements in order to prevent or reduce, as far as possible, any adverse effects on the environment or on human health which are brought about as a result of the management of waste from the extractive industries, such as tailings (i.e. the waste solids or slurries that remain after the treatment of minerals by a number of techniques), waste rock and overburden (i.e. the material that extractive operations move during the process of accessing an ore or mineral body, including during the pre-production development stage), and topsoil (i.e. the upper layer of the ground) provided that they constitute waste as defined in Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste (8).

| (5) | In accordance with paragraph 24 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation on Sustainable Development adopted within the framework of the United Nations at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, it is necessary to protect the natural resource base of economic and social development and reverse the current trend in natural resource degradation by managing the natural resource base in a sustainable and integrated manner. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

In accordance with paragraph 24 of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation on Sustainable Development adopted within the framework of the United Nations at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, it is necessary to protect the natural resource base of economic and social development and reverse the current trend in natural resource degradation by managing the natural resource base in a sustainable and integrated manner.

| (6) | Accordingly, this Directive should cover the management of waste from land-based extractive industries, that is to say, the waste arising from the prospecting, extraction (including the pre-production development stage), treatment and storage of mineral resources and from the working of quarries. However, such management should reflect the principles and priorities identified in Directive 75/442/EEC, which, in accordance with Article 2(1)(b)(ii) thereof, continues to apply to any aspects of the management of waste from the extractive industries which are not covered by this Directive. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Accordingly, this Directive should cover the management of waste from land-based extractive industries, that is to say, the waste arising from the prospecting, extraction (including the pre-production development stage), treatment and storage of mineral resources and from the working of quarries. However, such management should reflect the principles and priorities identified in Directive 75/442/EEC, which, in accordance with Article 2(1)(b)(ii) thereof, continues to apply to any aspects of the management of waste from the extractive industries which are not covered by this Directive.

| (7) | In order to avoid duplication and disproportionate administrative requirements, the scope of this Directive should be limited to those particular operations considered to be a priority for the purposes of meeting its objectives. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

In order to avoid duplication and disproportionate administrative requirements, the scope of this Directive should be limited to those particular operations considered to be a priority for the purposes of meeting its objectives.

| (8) | Accordingly, the provisions of this Directive should not apply to those waste streams which, albeit generated in the course of mineral extraction or treatment operations, are not directly linked to the extraction or treatment process, e.g. food waste, waste oil, end-of-life vehicles, spent batteries and accumulators. The management of such waste should be subject to the provisions of Directive 75/442/EEC or of Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste (9), or any other relevant Community legislation, as is the case for waste generated at a prospecting, extraction or treatment site and transported to a location that is not a waste facility according to this Directive. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

Accordingly, the provisions of this Directive should not apply to those waste streams which, albeit generated in the course of mineral extraction or treatment operations, are not directly linked to the extraction or treatment process, e.g. food waste, waste oil, end-of-life vehicles, spent batteries and accumulators. The management of such waste should be subject to the provisions of Directive 75/442/EEC or of Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste (9), or any other relevant Community legislation, as is the case for waste generated at a prospecting, extraction or treatment site and transported to a location that is not a waste facility according to this Directive.

| (9) | Nor should this Directive apply to waste resulting from the offshore prospecting, extraction and treatment of mineral resources or to the injection of water and re-injection of pumped groundwater, while inert waste, non-hazardous prospecting waste, unpolluted soil and waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of peat should be covered only by a limited set of requirements due to their lower environmental risks. For non-hazardous non-inert waste, Member States may reduce or waive certain requirements. However, these exemptions should not apply to Category A waste facilities. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

Nor should this Directive apply to waste resulting from the offshore prospecting, extraction and treatment of mineral resources or to the injection of water and re-injection of pumped groundwater, while inert waste, non-hazardous prospecting waste, unpolluted soil and waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of peat should be covered only by a limited set of requirements due to their lower environmental risks. For non-hazardous non-inert waste, Member States may reduce or waive certain requirements. However, these exemptions should not apply to Category A waste facilities.

| (10) | Moreover, while covering the management of waste from the extractive industries which may be radioactive, this Directive should not cover such aspects as are specific to radioactivity. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

Moreover, while covering the management of waste from the extractive industries which may be radioactive, this Directive should not cover such aspects as are specific to radioactivity.

| (11) | In accordance with Directive 75/442/EEC and pursuant to Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), the objective of management of waste generated by the extraction of materials used for their radioactive properties is to ensure protection of workers, the public and the environment against dangers stemming from ionising radiations. This Directive is not applicable to the management of such waste where it is already covered by legislation based on the Euratom Treaty. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

In accordance with Directive 75/442/EEC and pursuant to Articles 31 and 32 of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom), the objective of management of waste generated by the extraction of materials used for their radioactive properties is to ensure protection of workers, the public and the environment against dangers stemming from ionising radiations. This Directive is not applicable to the management of such waste where it is already covered by legislation based on the Euratom Treaty.

| (12) | In order to remain true to the principles and priorities identified in Directive 75/442/EEC and, in particular, in Articles 3 and 4 thereof, Member States should ensure that operators engaged in the extractive industry take all necessary measures to prevent or reduce, as far as possible, any negative effects, actual or potential, on the environment or on human health which are brought about as a result of the management of waste from the extractive industries. |
| --- | --- |

(12)

In order to remain true to the principles and priorities identified in Directive 75/442/EEC and, in particular, in Articles 3 and 4 thereof, Member States should ensure that operators engaged in the extractive industry take all necessary measures to prevent or reduce, as far as possible, any negative effects, actual or potential, on the environment or on human health which are brought about as a result of the management of waste from the extractive industries.

| (13) | These measures should be based, inter alia, on the concept of best available techniques as defined in Directive 96/61/EC and, when such techniques are applied, it is for the Member States to determine how the technical characteristics of the waste facility, its geographical location and local environmental conditions can, where appropriate, be taken into consideration. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

These measures should be based, inter alia, on the concept of best available techniques as defined in Directive 96/61/EC and, when such techniques are applied, it is for the Member States to determine how the technical characteristics of the waste facility, its geographical location and local environmental conditions can, where appropriate, be taken into consideration.

| (14) | Member States should ensure that operators in the extractive industry draw up appropriate waste management plans for the treatment, recovery and disposal of extractive waste. Such plans should be structured in such a way as to ensure appropriate planning of waste management options with a view to minimising waste generation and its harmfulness, and encouraging waste recovery. Moreover, waste from the extractive industries should be characterised with respect to its composition in order to ensure that, as far as possible, such waste reacts only in predictable ways. |
| --- | --- |

(14)

Member States should ensure that operators in the extractive industry draw up appropriate waste management plans for the treatment, recovery and disposal of extractive waste. Such plans should be structured in such a way as to ensure appropriate planning of waste management options with a view to minimising waste generation and its harmfulness, and encouraging waste recovery. Moreover, waste from the extractive industries should be characterised with respect to its composition in order to ensure that, as far as possible, such waste reacts only in predictable ways.

| (15) | In order to minimise the risk of accidents and to guarantee a high level of protection for the environment and human health, Member States should ensure that each operator of a category A waste facility adopts and applies a major-accident prevention policy for waste. In terms of preventive measures, this should entail the delivery of a safety management system, emergency plans to be used in the event of accidents and the dissemination of safety information to persons likely to be affected by a major accident. In the event of an accident, operators should be required to provide the competent authorities with all the relevant information necessary to mitigate actual or potential environmental damage. These particular requirements should not apply to those waste facilities from the extractive industries falling within the scope of Council Directive 96/82/EC (10). |
| --- | --- |

(15)

In order to minimise the risk of accidents and to guarantee a high level of protection for the environment and human health, Member States should ensure that each operator of a category A waste facility adopts and applies a major-accident prevention policy for waste. In terms of preventive measures, this should entail the delivery of a safety management system, emergency plans to be used in the event of accidents and the dissemination of safety information to persons likely to be affected by a major accident. In the event of an accident, operators should be required to provide the competent authorities with all the relevant information necessary to mitigate actual or potential environmental damage. These particular requirements should not apply to those waste facilities from the extractive industries falling within the scope of Council Directive 96/82/EC (10).

| (16) | A waste facility should not be classified in Category A solely on the basis of risks to the safety and health protection of workers in the extractive industries covered by other Community legislation, in particular Council Directives 92/91/EEC (11) and 92/104/EEC (12). |
| --- | --- |

(16)

A waste facility should not be classified in Category A solely on the basis of risks to the safety and health protection of workers in the extractive industries covered by other Community legislation, in particular Council Directives 92/91/EEC (11) and 92/104/EEC (12).

| (17) | Because of the special nature of the management of waste from the extractive industries, it is necessary to introduce specific application and permit procedures in respect of waste facilities used to receive such waste. In addition, Member States should take the necessary measures to ensure that the competent authorities periodically reconsider and, where necessary, update permit conditions. |
| --- | --- |

(17)

Because of the special nature of the management of waste from the extractive industries, it is necessary to introduce specific application and permit procedures in respect of waste facilities used to receive such waste. In addition, Member States should take the necessary measures to ensure that the competent authorities periodically reconsider and, where necessary, update permit conditions.

| (18) | Member States should be required to ensure that, in accordance with the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters of 25 June 1998 (Aarhus Convention), the public are informed of the application for a waste management permit and the public concerned are consulted prior to the granting of a waste management permit. |
| --- | --- |

(18)

Member States should be required to ensure that, in accordance with the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters of 25 June 1998 (Aarhus Convention), the public are informed of the application for a waste management permit and the public concerned are consulted prior to the granting of a waste management permit.

| (19) | It is necessary to indicate clearly the requirements with which waste facilities servicing the extractive industries should comply as regards location, management, control, closure and preventive and protective measures to be taken against any threat to the environment in the short and long-term perspectives, and more especially against the pollution of groundwater by leachate infiltration into the soil. |
| --- | --- |

(19)

It is necessary to indicate clearly the requirements with which waste facilities servicing the extractive industries should comply as regards location, management, control, closure and preventive and protective measures to be taken against any threat to the environment in the short and long-term perspectives, and more especially against the pollution of groundwater by leachate infiltration into the soil.

| (20) | It is necessary to define clearly category A waste facilities used to service waste from the extractive industries, taking into account the likely effects of any pollution resulting from the operation of such a facility or from an accident in which waste escapes from such a facility. |
| --- | --- |

(20)

It is necessary to define clearly category A waste facilities used to service waste from the extractive industries, taking into account the likely effects of any pollution resulting from the operation of such a facility or from an accident in which waste escapes from such a facility.

| (21) | Waste placed back into the excavation voids either for their rehabilitation or for construction purposes related to the mineral extraction process, such as the building or maintenance within voids of means of access for machinery, haulage ramps, bulkheads, safety barricades or berms, needs also to be subject to certain requirements in order to protect surface water and/or groundwater, secure the stability of such waste, and ensure appropriate monitoring upon cessation of such activities. Accordingly, such waste should not be subject to the requirements of this Directive which relate exclusively to ‘waste facilities’, except for the requirements mentioned in the specific provision on excavation voids. |
| --- | --- |

(21)

Waste placed back into the excavation voids either for their rehabilitation or for construction purposes related to the mineral extraction process, such as the building or maintenance within voids of means of access for machinery, haulage ramps, bulkheads, safety barricades or berms, needs also to be subject to certain requirements in order to protect surface water and/or groundwater, secure the stability of such waste, and ensure appropriate monitoring upon cessation of such activities. Accordingly, such waste should not be subject to the requirements of this Directive which relate exclusively to ‘waste facilities’, except for the requirements mentioned in the specific provision on excavation voids.

| (22) | With a view to ensuring the proper construction and maintenance of waste facilities servicing waste from the extractive industries, Member States should take appropriate measures to ensure that the design, location and management of such facilities is carried out by technically competent persons. It is necessary to ensure that the training and knowledge acquired by operators and staff afford them the necessary skills. In addition, competent authorities should satisfy themselves that operators ensure suitable arrangements with respect to the construction and maintenance of a new waste facility or to any extension or modification of an existing waste facility, including in the after-closure phase. |
| --- | --- |

(22)

With a view to ensuring the proper construction and maintenance of waste facilities servicing waste from the extractive industries, Member States should take appropriate measures to ensure that the design, location and management of such facilities is carried out by technically competent persons. It is necessary to ensure that the training and knowledge acquired by operators and staff afford them the necessary skills. In addition, competent authorities should satisfy themselves that operators ensure suitable arrangements with respect to the construction and maintenance of a new waste facility or to any extension or modification of an existing waste facility, including in the after-closure phase.

| (23) | It is necessary to establish monitoring procedures during the operation and after-closure of waste facilities. An after-closure period for monitoring and control of category A waste facilities should be laid down proportionate to the risk posed by the individual waste facility, in a way similar to that required by Directive 1999/31/EC. |
| --- | --- |

(23)

It is necessary to establish monitoring procedures during the operation and after-closure of waste facilities. An after-closure period for monitoring and control of category A waste facilities should be laid down proportionate to the risk posed by the individual waste facility, in a way similar to that required by Directive 1999/31/EC.

| (24) | It is necessary to define when and how a waste facility servicing the extractive industries should be closed and to set out the obligations and responsibilities to be met by the operator during the after-closure period. |
| --- | --- |

(24)

It is necessary to define when and how a waste facility servicing the extractive industries should be closed and to set out the obligations and responsibilities to be met by the operator during the after-closure period.

| (25) | Member States should require operators of the extractive industries to apply monitoring and management controls in order to prevent water and soil pollution and to identify any adverse effect that their waste facilities may have on the environment or on human health. In addition, for the purposes of minimising water pollution, the discharge of waste into any receiving body of water should comply with Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (13). Furthermore, concentrations in tailings ponds of cyanide and cyanide compounds from certain extractive industries should, in view of their harmful and toxic effects, be reduced to the lowest possible levels, using best available techniques. Maximum concentration thresholds should be set accordingly and, in any case, in line with the specific requirements of this Directive to prevent such effects. |
| --- | --- |

(25)

Member States should require operators of the extractive industries to apply monitoring and management controls in order to prevent water and soil pollution and to identify any adverse effect that their waste facilities may have on the environment or on human health. In addition, for the purposes of minimising water pollution, the discharge of waste into any receiving body of water should comply with Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (13). Furthermore, concentrations in tailings ponds of cyanide and cyanide compounds from certain extractive industries should, in view of their harmful and toxic effects, be reduced to the lowest possible levels, using best available techniques. Maximum concentration thresholds should be set accordingly and, in any case, in line with the specific requirements of this Directive to prevent such effects.

| (26) | The operator of a waste facility servicing the extractive industries should be required to lodge a financial guarantee or equivalent in accordance with procedures to be decided by the Member States ensuring that all the obligations flowing from the permit will be fulfilled, including those relating to the closure and after-closure of the site. The financial guarantee should be sufficient to cover the cost of rehabilitation of the site by a suitably qualified and independent third party. It is also necessary for such a guarantee to be provided prior to the commencement of deposition operations in the waste facility and to be periodically adjusted. In addition, in accordance with the polluter pays principle and with Directive 2004/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage (14), it is important to clarify that an operator of a waste facility servicing the extractive industries is subject to appropriate liability in respect of environmental damage caused by its operations or the imminent threat of such damage. |
| --- | --- |

(26)

The operator of a waste facility servicing the extractive industries should be required to lodge a financial guarantee or equivalent in accordance with procedures to be decided by the Member States ensuring that all the obligations flowing from the permit will be fulfilled, including those relating to the closure and after-closure of the site. The financial guarantee should be sufficient to cover the cost of rehabilitation of the site by a suitably qualified and independent third party. It is also necessary for such a guarantee to be provided prior to the commencement of deposition operations in the waste facility and to be periodically adjusted. In addition, in accordance with the polluter pays principle and with Directive 2004/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage (14), it is important to clarify that an operator of a waste facility servicing the extractive industries is subject to appropriate liability in respect of environmental damage caused by its operations or the imminent threat of such damage.

| (27) | In the case of the operation of waste facilities servicing the extractive industries that are likely to have significant adverse transboundary effects on the environment and any resultant risks to human health, in the territory of another Member State, there should be a common procedure in place to facilitate consultation among neighbouring countries. This should be done with a view to ensuring that there is an adequate exchange of information between authorities and that the public are duly informed of any such waste facilities that could have adverse effects for the environment of that other Member State. |
| --- | --- |

(27)

In the case of the operation of waste facilities servicing the extractive industries that are likely to have significant adverse transboundary effects on the environment and any resultant risks to human health, in the territory of another Member State, there should be a common procedure in place to facilitate consultation among neighbouring countries. This should be done with a view to ensuring that there is an adequate exchange of information between authorities and that the public are duly informed of any such waste facilities that could have adverse effects for the environment of that other Member State.

| (28) | It is necessary for Member States to ensure that competent authorities organise an effective system of inspections or equivalent control measures in respect of waste facilities servicing the extractive industries. Without prejudice to the obligations of the operator under the permit, prior to the commencement of deposition operations there should be an inspection to check that the permit conditions have been complied with. In addition, Member States should ensure that operators and their successors maintain up-to-date records relating to such waste facilities and that operators transfer to their successors information concerning the state of the waste facility and its operations. |
| --- | --- |

(28)

It is necessary for Member States to ensure that competent authorities organise an effective system of inspections or equivalent control measures in respect of waste facilities servicing the extractive industries. Without prejudice to the obligations of the operator under the permit, prior to the commencement of deposition operations there should be an inspection to check that the permit conditions have been complied with. In addition, Member States should ensure that operators and their successors maintain up-to-date records relating to such waste facilities and that operators transfer to their successors information concerning the state of the waste facility and its operations.

| (29) | Member States should send regular reports to the Commission on the implementation of this Directive, including information on accidents or near-accidents. On the basis of those reports, the Commission should report to the European Parliament and the Council. |
| --- | --- |

(29)

Member States should send regular reports to the Commission on the implementation of this Directive, including information on accidents or near-accidents. On the basis of those reports, the Commission should report to the European Parliament and the Council.

| (30) | Member States should lay down rules on penalties for infringement of this Directive and ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties should be effective, proportionate and dissuasive. |
| --- | --- |

(30)

Member States should lay down rules on penalties for infringement of this Directive and ensure that they are implemented. Those penalties should be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

| (31) | It is necessary for Member States to ensure that an inventory of closed waste facilities located on their territory which cause serious negative environmental impacts or have the potential of becoming in the medium or short term a serious threat to human health or the environment is carried out. |
| --- | --- |

(31)

It is necessary for Member States to ensure that an inventory of closed waste facilities located on their territory which cause serious negative environmental impacts or have the potential of becoming in the medium or short term a serious threat to human health or the environment is carried out.

| (32) | The Commission should ensure an appropriate exchange of scientific and technical information on how to carry out an inventory of closed waste facilities at Member State level and on the development of methodologies to assist Member States in complying with this Directive when rehabilitating closed waste facilities. Moreover, an exchange of information should be ensured within and between Member States on the best available techniques. |
| --- | --- |

(32)

The Commission should ensure an appropriate exchange of scientific and technical information on how to carry out an inventory of closed waste facilities at Member State level and on the development of methodologies to assist Member States in complying with this Directive when rehabilitating closed waste facilities. Moreover, an exchange of information should be ensured within and between Member States on the best available techniques.

| (33) | This Directive could be a useful instrument to be taken into account when verifying that projects receiving Community funding in the context of development aid include the necessary measures to prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on the environment. Such an approach is consistent with Article 6 of the Treaty, particularly with regard to integrating environmental protection requirements into the Community's policy in the sphere of development cooperation. |
| --- | --- |

(33)

This Directive could be a useful instrument to be taken into account when verifying that projects receiving Community funding in the context of development aid include the necessary measures to prevent or reduce as far as possible negative effects on the environment. Such an approach is consistent with Article 6 of the Treaty, particularly with regard to integrating environmental protection requirements into the Community's policy in the sphere of development cooperation.

| (34) | The objective of this Directive, that is to say, improving the management of waste from the extractive industries, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States acting alone because the mismanagement of such waste may cause pollution of a transboundary nature. Under the polluter pays principle it is necessary, inter alia, to take into account any damage to the environment caused by waste from the extractive industries, and different national applications of that principle may lead to substantial disparities in the financial burden on economic operators. Moreover, the existence of different national policies on the management of waste from the extractive industries hampers the aim of ensuring a minimum level of safe and responsible management of such waste and maximising its recovery throughout the Community. Therefore, since by reason of the scale and effects of this Directive, its objective can be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve this objective. |
| --- | --- |

(34)

The objective of this Directive, that is to say, improving the management of waste from the extractive industries, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States acting alone because the mismanagement of such waste may cause pollution of a transboundary nature. Under the polluter pays principle it is necessary, inter alia, to take into account any damage to the environment caused by waste from the extractive industries, and different national applications of that principle may lead to substantial disparities in the financial burden on economic operators. Moreover, the existence of different national policies on the management of waste from the extractive industries hampers the aim of ensuring a minimum level of safe and responsible management of such waste and maximising its recovery throughout the Community. Therefore, since by reason of the scale and effects of this Directive, its objective can be better achieved at Community level, the Community may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Directive does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve this objective.

| (35) | The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (15). |
| --- | --- |

(35)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (15).

| (36) | The operation of waste facilities existing at the moment of transposition of this Directive should be regulated in order to take the necessary measures, within a specified period of time, for their adaptation to the requirements of this Directive. |
| --- | --- |

(36)

The operation of waste facilities existing at the moment of transposition of this Directive should be regulated in order to take the necessary measures, within a specified period of time, for their adaptation to the requirements of this Directive.

| (37) | In accordance with paragraph 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making (16), Member States are encouraged to draw up, for themselves and in the interest of the Community, their own tables, which will, as far as possible, illustrate the correlation between this Directive and the transposition measures and to make them public, |
| --- | --- |

(37)

In accordance with paragraph 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making (16), Member States are encouraged to draw up, for themselves and in the interest of the Community, their own tables, which will, as far as possible, illustrate the correlation between this Directive and the transposition measures and to make them public,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

Article 1

Subject matter

This Directive provides for measures, procedures and guidance to prevent or reduce as far as possible any adverse effects on the environment, in particular water, air, soil, fauna and flora and landscape, and any resultant risks to human health, brought about as a result of the management of waste from the extractive industries.

Article 2

Scope

1.   Subject to paragraphs 2 and 3, this Directive covers the management of waste resulting from the prospecting, extraction, treatment and storage of mineral resources and the working of quarries, hereinafter ‘extractive waste’.

2.   The following shall be excluded from the scope of this Directive:

| (a) | waste which is generated by the prospecting, extraction and treatment of mineral resources and the working of quarries, but which does not directly result from those operations; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

waste which is generated by the prospecting, extraction and treatment of mineral resources and the working of quarries, but which does not directly result from those operations;

| (b) | waste resulting from the offshore prospecting, extraction and treatment of mineral resources; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

waste resulting from the offshore prospecting, extraction and treatment of mineral resources;

| (c) | injection of water and re-injection of pumped groundwater as defined in the first and second indents of Article 11(3)(j) of Directive 2000/60/EC, to the extent authorised by that Article. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

injection of water and re-injection of pumped groundwater as defined in the first and second indents of Article 11(3)(j) of Directive 2000/60/EC, to the extent authorised by that Article.

3.   Inert waste and unpolluted soil resulting from the prospecting, extraction, treatment and storage of mineral resources and the working of quarries and waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of peat shall not be subject to Articles 7, 8, 11(1) and (3), 12, 13(5), 14 and 16, unless deposited in a category A waste facility.

The competent authority may reduce or waive the requirements for the deposit of non-hazardous waste generated from the prospecting of mineral resources, except oil and evaporites other than gypsum and anhydrite, as well as for the deposit of unpolluted soil and of waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of peat as long as it is satisfied that the requirements of Article 4 are met.

Member States may reduce or waive the requirements of Articles 11(3), 12(5) and (6), 13(5), 14 and 16 for non-hazardous non-inert waste, unless deposited in a category A waste facility.

4.   Without prejudice to other Community legislation, waste which falls within the scope of this Directive shall not be subject to Directive 1999/31/EC.

Article 3

Definitions

For the purposes of this Directive:

| 1. | ‘waste’ is as defined in Article 1(a) of Directive 75/442/EEC; |
| --- | --- |

1.

‘waste’ is as defined in Article 1(a) of Directive 75/442/EEC;

| 2. | ‘hazardous waste’ is as defined in Article 1(4) of Council Directive 91/689/EEC of 12 December 1991 on hazardous waste (17); |
| --- | --- |

2.

‘hazardous waste’ is as defined in Article 1(4) of Council Directive 91/689/EEC of 12 December 1991 on hazardous waste (17);

| 3. | ‘inert waste’ means waste that does not undergo any significant physical, chemical or biological transformations. Inert waste will not dissolve, burn or otherwise physically or chemically react, biodegrade or adversely affect other matter with which it comes into contact in a way likely to give rise to environmental pollution or harm human health. The total leachability and pollutant content of the waste and the ecotoxicity of the leachate must be insignificant, and in particular not endanger the quality of surface water and/or groundwater; |
| --- | --- |

3.

‘inert waste’ means waste that does not undergo any significant physical, chemical or biological transformations. Inert waste will not dissolve, burn or otherwise physically or chemically react, biodegrade or adversely affect other matter with which it comes into contact in a way likely to give rise to environmental pollution or harm human health. The total leachability and pollutant content of the waste and the ecotoxicity of the leachate must be insignificant, and in particular not endanger the quality of surface water and/or groundwater;

| 4. | ‘unpolluted soil’ means soil that is removed from the upper layer of the ground during extractive activities and that is not deemed to be polluted under the national law of the Member State where the site is located and Community law; |
| --- | --- |

4.

‘unpolluted soil’ means soil that is removed from the upper layer of the ground during extractive activities and that is not deemed to be polluted under the national law of the Member State where the site is located and Community law;

| 5. | ‘mineral resource’ or ‘mineral’ means a naturally occurring deposit in the earth's crust of an organic or inorganic substance, such as energy fuels, metal ores, industrial minerals and construction minerals, but excluding water; |
| --- | --- |

5.

‘mineral resource’ or ‘mineral’ means a naturally occurring deposit in the earth's crust of an organic or inorganic substance, such as energy fuels, metal ores, industrial minerals and construction minerals, but excluding water;

| 6. | ‘extractive industries’ means all establishments and undertakings engaged in surface or underground extraction of mineral resources for commercial purposes, including extraction by drilling boreholes, or treatment of the extracted material; |
| --- | --- |

6.

‘extractive industries’ means all establishments and undertakings engaged in surface or underground extraction of mineral resources for commercial purposes, including extraction by drilling boreholes, or treatment of the extracted material;

| 7. | ‘offshore’ means that area of the sea and seabed extending from the low water mark of ordinary or medium tides outwards; |
| --- | --- |

7.

‘offshore’ means that area of the sea and seabed extending from the low water mark of ordinary or medium tides outwards;

| 8. | ‘treatment’ means the mechanical, physical, biological, thermal or chemical process or combination of processes carried out on mineral resources, including from the working of quarries, with a view to extracting the mineral, including size change, classification, separation and leaching, and the re-processing of previously discarded waste, but excluding smelting, thermal manufacturing processes and/or metallurgical operations; |
| --- | --- |

8.

‘treatment’ means the mechanical, physical, biological, thermal or chemical process or combination of processes carried out on mineral resources, including from the working of quarries, with a view to extracting the mineral, including size change, classification, separation and leaching, and the re-processing of previously discarded waste, but excluding smelting, thermal manufacturing processes and/or metallurgical operations;

| 9. | ‘tailings’ means the waste solids or slurries that remain after the treatment of minerals by separation processes (e.g. crushing, grinding, size-sorting, flotation and other physico-chemical techniques) to remove the valuable minerals from the less valuable rock; |
| --- | --- |

9.

‘tailings’ means the waste solids or slurries that remain after the treatment of minerals by separation processes (e.g. crushing, grinding, size-sorting, flotation and other physico-chemical techniques) to remove the valuable minerals from the less valuable rock;

| 10. | ‘heap’ means an engineered facility for the deposit of solid waste on the surface; |
| --- | --- |

10.

‘heap’ means an engineered facility for the deposit of solid waste on the surface;

| 11. | ‘dam’ means an engineered structure designed to retain or confine water and waste within a pond; |
| --- | --- |

11.

‘dam’ means an engineered structure designed to retain or confine water and waste within a pond;

| 12. | ‘pond’ means a natural or engineered facility for disposing of fine-grained waste, normally tailings, along with varying amounts of free water, resulting from the treatment of mineral resources and from the clearing and recycling of process water; |
| --- | --- |

12.

‘pond’ means a natural or engineered facility for disposing of fine-grained waste, normally tailings, along with varying amounts of free water, resulting from the treatment of mineral resources and from the clearing and recycling of process water;

| 13. | ‘weak acid dissociable cyanide’ means cyanide and cyanide compounds that are dissociated with a weak acid at a defined pH; |
| --- | --- |

13.

‘weak acid dissociable cyanide’ means cyanide and cyanide compounds that are dissociated with a weak acid at a defined pH;

| 14. | ‘leachate’ means any liquid percolating through the deposited waste and emitted from or contained within a waste facility, including polluted drainage, which may adversely affect the environment if not appropriately treated; |
| --- | --- |

14.

‘leachate’ means any liquid percolating through the deposited waste and emitted from or contained within a waste facility, including polluted drainage, which may adversely affect the environment if not appropriately treated;

| 15. | ‘waste facility’ means any area designated for the accumulation or deposit of extractive waste, whether in a solid or liquid state or in solution or suspension, for the following time-periods:






  — | no time-period for category A waste facilities and facilities for waste characterised as hazardous in the waste management plan, |
| --- | --- | --- |

15.

‘waste facility’ means any area designated for the accumulation or deposit of extractive waste, whether in a solid or liquid state or in solution or suspension, for the following time-periods:

—

no time-period for category A waste facilities and facilities for waste characterised as hazardous in the waste management plan,

| — | a period of more than six months for facilities for hazardous waste generated unexpectedly, |
| --- | --- |

—

a period of more than six months for facilities for hazardous waste generated unexpectedly,

| — | a period of more than one year for facilities for non-hazardous non-inert waste, |
| --- | --- |

—

a period of more than one year for facilities for non-hazardous non-inert waste,

| — | a period of more than three years for facilities for unpolluted soil, non-hazardous prospecting waste, waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of peat and inert waste. |
| --- | --- |

—

a period of more than three years for facilities for unpolluted soil, non-hazardous prospecting waste, waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of peat and inert waste.

Such facilities are deemed to include any dam or other structure serving to contain, retain, confine or otherwise support such a facility, and also to include, but not be limited to, heaps and ponds, but excluding excavation voids into which waste is replaced, after extraction of the mineral, for rehabilitation and construction purposes;

| 16. | ‘major accident’ means an occurrence on site in the course of an operation involving the management of extractive waste in any establishment covered by this Directive, leading to a serious danger to human health and/or the environment, whether immediately or over time, on-site or off-site; |
| --- | --- |

16.

‘major accident’ means an occurrence on site in the course of an operation involving the management of extractive waste in any establishment covered by this Directive, leading to a serious danger to human health and/or the environment, whether immediately or over time, on-site or off-site;

| 17. | ‘dangerous substance’ means a substance, mixture or preparation which is dangerous within the meaning of Directive 67/548/EEC (18) or Directive 1999/45/EC (19); |
| --- | --- |

17.

‘dangerous substance’ means a substance, mixture or preparation which is dangerous within the meaning of Directive 67/548/EEC (18) or Directive 1999/45/EC (19);

| 18. | ‘best available techniques’ is as defined in Article 2(11) of Directive 96/61/EC; |
| --- | --- |

18.

‘best available techniques’ is as defined in Article 2(11) of Directive 96/61/EC;

| 19. | ‘receiving body of water’ means surface waters, groundwater, transitional waters and coastal water as defined in Article 2(1), (2), (6) and (7) of Directive 2000/60/EC, respectively; |
| --- | --- |

19.

‘receiving body of water’ means surface waters, groundwater, transitional waters and coastal water as defined in Article 2(1), (2), (6) and (7) of Directive 2000/60/EC, respectively;

| 20. | ‘rehabilitation’ means the treatment of the land affected by a waste facility in such a way as to restore the land to a satisfactory state, with particular regard to soil quality, wild life, natural habitats, freshwater systems, landscape and appropriate beneficial uses; |
| --- | --- |

20.

‘rehabilitation’ means the treatment of the land affected by a waste facility in such a way as to restore the land to a satisfactory state, with particular regard to soil quality, wild life, natural habitats, freshwater systems, landscape and appropriate beneficial uses;

| 21. | ‘prospecting’ means the search for mineral deposits of economic value, including sampling, bulk sampling, drilling and trenching, but excluding any works required for the development of such deposits, and any activities directly associated with an existing extractive operation; |
| --- | --- |

21.

‘prospecting’ means the search for mineral deposits of economic value, including sampling, bulk sampling, drilling and trenching, but excluding any works required for the development of such deposits, and any activities directly associated with an existing extractive operation;

| 22. | ‘the public’ means one or more natural or legal persons and, in accordance with national legislation or practice, their associations, organisations or groups; |
| --- | --- |

22.

‘the public’ means one or more natural or legal persons and, in accordance with national legislation or practice, their associations, organisations or groups;

| 23. | ‘the public concerned’ means the public affected or likely to be affected by, or having an interest in, the environmental decision-making under Articles 6 and 7 of this Directive; for the purposes of this definition, non-governmental organisations promoting environmental protection and meeting any requirement under national law shall be deemed to have such an interest; |
| --- | --- |

23.

‘the public concerned’ means the public affected or likely to be affected by, or having an interest in, the environmental decision-making under Articles 6 and 7 of this Directive; for the purposes of this definition, non-governmental organisations promoting environmental protection and meeting any requirement under national law shall be deemed to have such an interest;

| 24. | ‘operator’ means the natural or legal person responsible for the management of extractive waste, in accordance with the national law of the Member State in which waste management takes place, including in respect of temporary storage of extractive waste as well as the operational and the after-closure phases; |
| --- | --- |

24.

‘operator’ means the natural or legal person responsible for the management of extractive waste, in accordance with the national law of the Member State in which waste management takes place, including in respect of temporary storage of extractive waste as well as the operational and the after-closure phases;

| 25. | ‘waste holder’ means the producer of the extractive waste or the natural or legal person who is in possession of it; |
| --- | --- |

25.

‘waste holder’ means the producer of the extractive waste or the natural or legal person who is in possession of it;

| 26. | ‘competent person’ means a natural person who has the technical knowledge and experience, as defined by the national law of the Member State in which the person operates, to perform the duties arising from this Directive; |
| --- | --- |

26.

‘competent person’ means a natural person who has the technical knowledge and experience, as defined by the national law of the Member State in which the person operates, to perform the duties arising from this Directive;

| 27. | ‘competent authority’ means the authority or authorities which a Member State designates as responsible for performing the duties arising from this Directive; |
| --- | --- |

27.

‘competent authority’ means the authority or authorities which a Member State designates as responsible for performing the duties arising from this Directive;

| 28. | ‘site’ means all land at a distinct geographic location under the management control of an operator; |
| --- | --- |

28.

‘site’ means all land at a distinct geographic location under the management control of an operator;

| 29. | ‘substantial change’ means a change in the structure or operation of a waste facility that, in the opinion of the competent authority, may have significant negative effects on human health or the environment. |
| --- | --- |

29.

‘substantial change’ means a change in the structure or operation of a waste facility that, in the opinion of the competent authority, may have significant negative effects on human health or the environment.

Article 4

General requirements

1.   Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that extractive waste is managed without endangering human health and without using processes or methods which could harm the environment, and in particular without risk to water, air, soil and fauna and flora, without causing a nuisance through noise or odours and without adversely affecting the landscape or places of special interest. Member States shall also take the necessary measures to prohibit the abandonment, dumping or uncontrolled depositing of extractive waste.

2.   Member States shall ensure that the operator takes all measures necessary to prevent or reduce as far as possible any adverse effects on the environment and human health brought about as a result of the management of extractive waste. This includes the management of any waste facility, also after its closure, and the prevention of major accidents involving that facility and the limiting of their consequences for the environment and human health.

3.   The measures referred to in paragraph 2 shall be based, inter alia, on the best available techniques, without prescribing the use of any technique or specific technology, but taking into account the technical characteristics of the waste facility, its geographical location and the local environmental conditions.

Article 5

Waste management plan

1.   Member States shall ensure that the operator draws up a waste management plan for the minimisation, treatment, recovery and disposal of extractive waste.

2.   The objectives of the waste management plan shall be:

| (a) | to prevent or reduce waste production and its harmfulness, in particular by considering:






  (i) | waste management in the design phase and in the choice of the method used for mineral extraction and treatment; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

to prevent or reduce waste production and its harmfulness, in particular by considering:

(i)

waste management in the design phase and in the choice of the method used for mineral extraction and treatment;

| (ii) | the changes that the extractive waste may undergo in relation to an increase in surface area and exposure to conditions above ground; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

the changes that the extractive waste may undergo in relation to an increase in surface area and exposure to conditions above ground;

| (iii) | placing extractive waste back into the excavation void after extraction of the mineral, as far as is technically and economically feasible and environmentally sound in accordance with existing environmental standards at Community level and with the requirements of this Directive where relevant; |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

placing extractive waste back into the excavation void after extraction of the mineral, as far as is technically and economically feasible and environmentally sound in accordance with existing environmental standards at Community level and with the requirements of this Directive where relevant;

| (iv) | putting topsoil back in place after the closure of the waste facility or, if this is not practically feasible, reusing topsoil elsewhere; |
| --- | --- |

(iv)

putting topsoil back in place after the closure of the waste facility or, if this is not practically feasible, reusing topsoil elsewhere;

| (v) | using less dangerous substances for the treatment of mineral resources; |
| --- | --- |

(v)

using less dangerous substances for the treatment of mineral resources;

| (b) | to encourage the recovery of extractive waste by means of recycling, reusing or reclaiming such waste, where this is environmentally sound in accordance with existing environmental standards at Community level and with the requirements of this Directive where relevant; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

to encourage the recovery of extractive waste by means of recycling, reusing or reclaiming such waste, where this is environmentally sound in accordance with existing environmental standards at Community level and with the requirements of this Directive where relevant;

| (c) | to ensure short and long-term safe disposal of the extractive waste, in particular by considering, during the design phase, management during the operation and after-closure of a waste facility and by choosing a design which requires minimal and, if possible, ultimately no monitoring, control and management of the closed waste facility. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

to ensure short and long-term safe disposal of the extractive waste, in particular by considering, during the design phase, management during the operation and after-closure of a waste facility and by choosing a design which requires minimal and, if possible, ultimately no monitoring, control and management of the closed waste facility.

3.   The waste management plan shall contain at least the following elements:

| (a) | where applicable, the proposed classification for the waste facility in accordance with the criteria laid down in Annex III:






  — | where a category A waste facility is required, a document demonstrating that a major-accident prevention policy, a safety management system for implementing it and an internal emergency plan will be put into effect in accordance with Article 6(3), |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

where applicable, the proposed classification for the waste facility in accordance with the criteria laid down in Annex III:

—

where a category A waste facility is required, a document demonstrating that a major-accident prevention policy, a safety management system for implementing it and an internal emergency plan will be put into effect in accordance with Article 6(3),

| — | when the operator considers that a Category A waste facility is not required, sufficient information justifying this, including an identification of possible accident hazards; |
| --- | --- |

—

when the operator considers that a Category A waste facility is not required, sufficient information justifying this, including an identification of possible accident hazards;

| (b) | waste characterisation in accordance with Annex II and a statement of the estimated total quantities of extractive waste to be produced during the operational phase; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

waste characterisation in accordance with Annex II and a statement of the estimated total quantities of extractive waste to be produced during the operational phase;

| (c) | a description of the operation generating such waste and of any subsequent treatment to which it is subject; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

a description of the operation generating such waste and of any subsequent treatment to which it is subject;

| (d) | a description of how the environment and human health may be adversely affected by the deposit of such waste and the preventive measures to be taken in order to minimise environmental impact during operation and after closure, including the aspects referred to in Article 11(2)(a), (b), (d) and (e); |
| --- | --- |

(d)

a description of how the environment and human health may be adversely affected by the deposit of such waste and the preventive measures to be taken in order to minimise environmental impact during operation and after closure, including the aspects referred to in Article 11(2)(a), (b), (d) and (e);

| (e) | the proposed control and monitoring procedures pursuant to Article 10, when applicable, and Article 11(2)(c); |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the proposed control and monitoring procedures pursuant to Article 10, when applicable, and Article 11(2)(c);

| (f) | the proposed plan for closure, including rehabilitation, after-closure procedures and monitoring as provided for in Article 12; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

the proposed plan for closure, including rehabilitation, after-closure procedures and monitoring as provided for in Article 12;

| (g) | measures for the prevention or minimisation of water status deterioration, air and soil pollution pursuant to Article 13. |
| --- | --- |

(g)

measures for the prevention or minimisation of water status deterioration, air and soil pollution pursuant to Article 13.

The waste management plan shall provide sufficient information to enable the competent authority to evaluate the operator's ability to meet the objectives of the waste management plan as set out in paragraph 2 and his obligations under this Directive.

4.   The waste management plan shall be reviewed every five years and/or amended, as appropriate, in the event of substantial changes to the operation of the waste facility or to the waste deposited. Any amendments shall be notified to the competent authority.

5.   Plans produced pursuant to other national or Community legislation and containing the information specified in paragraph 3 may be used where this obviates the unnecessary duplication of information and the repetition of work by the operator, on condition that all requirements under paragraphs 1 to 4 are met.

6.   The competent authority shall approve the waste management plan on the basis of procedures to be decided by the Member States and shall monitor its implementation.

Article 6

Major-accident prevention and information

1.   This Article shall apply to category A waste facilities, save for those waste facilities falling within the scope of Directive 96/82/EC.

2.   Without prejudice to other Community legislation, and in particular Directives 92/91/EEC and 92/104/EEC, Member States shall ensure that major-accident hazards are identified and that the necessary features are incorporated into the design, construction, operation and maintenance, closure and after-closure of the waste facility in order to prevent such accidents and to limit their adverse consequences for human health and/or the environment, including any transboundary impacts.

3.   For the purposes of the requirements under paragraph 2, each operator shall, before the start of operations, draw up a major-accident prevention policy for the management of extractive waste and put into effect a safety management system implementing it, in accordance with the elements set out in section 1 of Annex I, and shall also put into effect an internal emergency plan specifying the measures to be taken on site in the event of an accident.

As part of that policy, the operator shall appoint a safety manager responsible for the implementation and periodic supervision of the major-accident prevention policy.

The competent authority shall draw up an external emergency plan specifying the measures to be taken off-site in the event of an accident. As part of the application for a permit the operator shall provide the competent authority with the information necessary to enable the latter to draw up that plan.

4.   The emergency plans referred to in paragraph 3 shall have the following objectives:

| (a) | to contain and control major accidents and other incidents so as to minimise their effects, and in particular to limit damage to human health and the environment; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

to contain and control major accidents and other incidents so as to minimise their effects, and in particular to limit damage to human health and the environment;

| (b) | to implement the measures necessary to protect human health and the environment from the effects of major accidents and other incidents; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

to implement the measures necessary to protect human health and the environment from the effects of major accidents and other incidents;

| (c) | to communicate the necessary information to the public and to the relevant services or authorities in the area; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

to communicate the necessary information to the public and to the relevant services or authorities in the area;

| (d) | to provide for the rehabilitation, restoration and clean-up of the environment following a major accident. |
| --- | --- |

(d)

to provide for the rehabilitation, restoration and clean-up of the environment following a major accident.

Member States shall ensure that, in the event of a major accident, the operator immediately provides the competent authority with all the information required to help minimise its consequences for human health and to assess and minimise the extent, actual or potential, of the environmental damage.

5.   Member States shall ensure that the public concerned are given early and effective opportunities to participate in the preparation or review of the external emergency plan to be drawn up in accordance with paragraph 3. To that end, the public concerned shall be informed about any such proposal and relevant information shall be made available, including, inter alia, information about the right to participate in the decision-making process and about the competent authority to which comments and questions may be submitted.

Member States shall ensure that the public concerned is entitled to express comments within reasonable time frames and that, in the decision on the external emergency plan, due account is taken of these comments.

6.   Member States shall ensure that information on safety measures and on the action required in the event of an accident, containing at least the elements listed in section 2 of Annex I, is provided, free of charge and as a matter of course, to the public concerned.

That information shall be reviewed every three years and, where necessary, updated.

Article 7

Application and permit

1.   No waste facility shall be allowed to operate without a permit granted by the competent authority. The permit shall contain the elements specified in paragraph 2 of this Article and shall clearly indicate the category of the waste facility in accordance with the criteria referred to in Article 9.

Subject to compliance with all requirements under this Article, any permit produced pursuant to other national or Community legislation may be combined to form a single permit, where such a format obviates the unnecessary duplication of information and the repetition of work by the operator or competent authority. The details specified in paragraph 2 can be covered by one single permit or several permits, provided that all requirements under this Article are complied with.

2.   The application for a permit shall contain at least the following details:

| (a) | the identity of the operator; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the identity of the operator;

| (b) | the proposed location of the waste facility, including any possible alternative locations; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the proposed location of the waste facility, including any possible alternative locations;

| (c) | the waste management plan pursuant to Article 5; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the waste management plan pursuant to Article 5;

| (d) | adequate arrangements by way of a financial guarantee or equivalent, as required under Article 14; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

adequate arrangements by way of a financial guarantee or equivalent, as required under Article 14;

| (e) | the information provided by the operator in accordance with Article 5 of Directive 85/337/EEC (20) if an environmental impact assessment is required under that Directive. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the information provided by the operator in accordance with Article 5 of Directive 85/337/EEC (20) if an environmental impact assessment is required under that Directive.

3.   The competent authority shall only grant a permit if it is satisfied that:

| (a) | the operator complies with the relevant requirements under this Directive; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the operator complies with the relevant requirements under this Directive;

| (b) | the management of waste does not conflict directly or otherwise interfere with the implementation of the relevant waste management plan or plans referred to in Article 7 of Directive 75/442/EEC. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the management of waste does not conflict directly or otherwise interfere with the implementation of the relevant waste management plan or plans referred to in Article 7 of Directive 75/442/EEC.

4.   Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that competent authorities periodically reconsider and, where necessary, update permit conditions:

| — | where there are substantial changes in the operation of the waste facility or the waste deposited, |
| --- | --- |

—

where there are substantial changes in the operation of the waste facility or the waste deposited,

| — | on the basis of monitoring results reported by the operator pursuant to Article 11(3) or inspections carried out pursuant to Article 17, |
| --- | --- |

—

on the basis of monitoring results reported by the operator pursuant to Article 11(3) or inspections carried out pursuant to Article 17,

| — | in the light of information exchange on substantial changes in best available techniques under Article 21(3). |
| --- | --- |

—

in the light of information exchange on substantial changes in best available techniques under Article 21(3).

5.   The information contained in a permit granted under this Article shall be made available to the competent national and Community statistical authorities where requested for statistical purposes. Sensitive information of a purely commercial nature, such as information concerning business relations and cost components and the volume of economic mineral reserves, shall not be made public.

Article 8

Public participation

1.   The public shall be informed, by public notices or other appropriate means, such as electronic media where available, of the following matters early in the procedure for granting a permit or, at the latest, as soon as the information can reasonably be provided:

| (a) | the application for a permit; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the application for a permit;

| (b) | where applicable, the fact that a decision concerning an application for a permit is subject to consultation between the Member States in accordance with Article 16; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

where applicable, the fact that a decision concerning an application for a permit is subject to consultation between the Member States in accordance with Article 16;

| (c) | details of the competent authorities responsible for taking the decision, those from which relevant information can be obtained, those to which comments or questions can be submitted, and details of the time schedule for transmitting comments or questions; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

details of the competent authorities responsible for taking the decision, those from which relevant information can be obtained, those to which comments or questions can be submitted, and details of the time schedule for transmitting comments or questions;

| (d) | the nature of possible decisions; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

the nature of possible decisions;

| (e) | where applicable, the details relating to a proposal for the updating of a permit or of permit conditions; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

where applicable, the details relating to a proposal for the updating of a permit or of permit conditions;

| (f) | an indication of the times and places where, or the means by which, the relevant information will be made available; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

an indication of the times and places where, or the means by which, the relevant information will be made available;

| (g) | details of the arrangements for public participation made pursuant to paragraph 7. |
| --- | --- |

(g)

details of the arrangements for public participation made pursuant to paragraph 7.

2.   Member States shall ensure that, within appropriate time frames, the following are made available to the public concerned:

| (a) | in accordance with national legislation, the main reports and advice transmitted to the competent authority at the time when the public were informed in accordance with paragraph 1; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

in accordance with national legislation, the main reports and advice transmitted to the competent authority at the time when the public were informed in accordance with paragraph 1;

| (b) | in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC (21), any information in addition to that referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article which is relevant for the decision in accordance with Article 7 of this Directive and which only becomes available after the time the public have been informed in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

in accordance with the provisions of Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2003 on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC (21), any information in addition to that referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article which is relevant for the decision in accordance with Article 7 of this Directive and which only becomes available after the time the public have been informed in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article.

3.   Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that the public are informed, in accordance with paragraph 1 of this Article, of an update of permit conditions in accordance with Article 7(4).

4.   The public concerned shall be entitled to express comments and opinions to the competent authority before a decision is taken.

5.   The results of the consultations held pursuant to this Article shall be duly taken into account in the taking of a decision.

6.   When a decision has been taken the competent authority shall, in accordance with the appropriate procedures, inform the public concerned and shall make the following information available to the public concerned:

| (a) | the content of the decision, including a copy of the permit; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the content of the decision, including a copy of the permit;

| (b) | the reasons and considerations on which the decision is based. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the reasons and considerations on which the decision is based.

7.   The detailed arrangements for public participation under this Article shall be determined by the Member States so as to enable the public concerned to prepare and participate effectively.

Article 9

Classification system for waste facilities

For the purposes of this Directive, the competent authorities shall classify a waste facility as category A in accordance with the criteria set out in Annex III.

Article 10

Excavation voids

1.   Member States shall ensure that the operator, when placing extractive waste back into the excavation voids for rehabilitation and construction purposes, whether created through surface or underground extraction, takes appropriate measures in order to:

| 1. | secure the stability of the extractive waste in accordance, mutatis mutandis, with Article 11(2); |
| --- | --- |

1.

secure the stability of the extractive waste in accordance, mutatis mutandis, with Article 11(2);

| 2. | prevent the pollution of soil, surface and groundwater in accordance, mutatis mutandis, with Article 13(1) and (3); |
| --- | --- |

2.

prevent the pollution of soil, surface and groundwater in accordance, mutatis mutandis, with Article 13(1) and (3);

| 3. | ensure the monitoring of the extractive waste in accordance, mutatis mutandis, with Article 12(4) and (5). |
| --- | --- |

3.

ensure the monitoring of the extractive waste in accordance, mutatis mutandis, with Article 12(4) and (5).

2.   Directive 1999/31/EC shall continue to apply to the waste other than extractive waste used for filling in excavation voids as appropriate.

Article 11

Construction and management of waste facilities

1.   Member States shall take appropriate measures to ensure that the management of a waste facility is in the hands of a competent person and that technical development and training of staff are provided.

2.   The competent authority shall satisfy itself that, in constructing a new waste facility or modifying an existing waste facility, the operator ensures that:

| (a) | the waste facility is suitably located, taking into account in particular geological, hydrological, hydrogeological, seismic and geotechnical factors, and is designed so as to meet the necessary conditions for, in the short and long-term perspectives, preventing pollution of the soil, air, groundwater or surface water, taking into account especially Directives 76/464/EEC (22), 80/68/EEC (23) and 2000/60/EC, and ensuring efficient collection of contaminated water and leachate as and when required under the permit, and reducing erosion caused by water or wind as far as it is technically possible and economically viable; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the waste facility is suitably located, taking into account in particular geological, hydrological, hydrogeological, seismic and geotechnical factors, and is designed so as to meet the necessary conditions for, in the short and long-term perspectives, preventing pollution of the soil, air, groundwater or surface water, taking into account especially Directives 76/464/EEC (22), 80/68/EEC (23) and 2000/60/EC, and ensuring efficient collection of contaminated water and leachate as and when required under the permit, and reducing erosion caused by water or wind as far as it is technically possible and economically viable;

| (b) | the waste facility is suitably constructed, managed and maintained to ensure its physical stability and to prevent pollution or contamination of soil, air, surface water or groundwater in the short and long-term perspectives as well as to minimise as far as possible damage to landscape; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the waste facility is suitably constructed, managed and maintained to ensure its physical stability and to prevent pollution or contamination of soil, air, surface water or groundwater in the short and long-term perspectives as well as to minimise as far as possible damage to landscape;

| (c) | there are suitable plans and arrangements for regular monitoring and inspection of the waste facility by competent persons and for taking action in the event of results indicating instability or water or soil contamination; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

there are suitable plans and arrangements for regular monitoring and inspection of the waste facility by competent persons and for taking action in the event of results indicating instability or water or soil contamination;

| (d) | suitable arrangements are made for the rehabilitation of the land and the closure of the waste facility; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

suitable arrangements are made for the rehabilitation of the land and the closure of the waste facility;

| (e) | suitable arrangements are made for the after-closure phase of the waste facility. |
| --- | --- |

(e)

suitable arrangements are made for the after-closure phase of the waste facility.

Records of the monitoring and inspections referred to in point (c) shall be kept, together with permit documentation, in order to ensure the appropriate hand-over of information, particularly in the event of a change of operator.

3.   The operator shall, without undue delay and in any event not later than 48 hours thereafter, notify the competent authority of any events likely to affect the stability of the waste facility and any significant adverse environmental effects revealed by the control and monitoring procedures of the waste facility. The operator shall implement the internal emergency plan, where applicable, and follow any other instruction from the competent authority as to the corrective measures to be taken.

The operator shall bear the costs of the measures to be undertaken.

At a frequency to be determined by the competent authority, and in any event at least once a year, the operator shall report, on the basis of aggregated data, all monitoring results to the competent authorities for the purposes of demonstrating compliance with permit conditions and increasing knowledge of waste and waste facility behaviour. On the basis of this report the competent authority may decide that validation by an independent expert is necessary.

Article 12

Closure and after-closure procedures for waste facilities

1.   Member States shall take measures to ensure compliance with paragraphs 2 to 5.

2.   A waste facility shall only start the closure procedure if one of the following conditions is satisfied:

| (a) | the relevant conditions stated in the permit are met; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the relevant conditions stated in the permit are met;

| (b) | authorisation is granted by the competent authority, at the request of the operator; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

authorisation is granted by the competent authority, at the request of the operator;

| (c) | the competent authority issues a reasoned decision to that effect. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the competent authority issues a reasoned decision to that effect.

3.   A waste facility may be considered as finally closed only after the competent authority has, without undue delay, carried out a final on-site inspection, assessed all the reports submitted by the operator, certified that the site has been rehabilitated and communicated to the operator its approval of the closure.

That approval shall not in any way reduce the operator's obligations under the conditions of the permit or otherwise in law.

4.   The operator shall be responsible for the maintenance, monitoring and control in the after-closure phase for as long as may be required by the competent authority, taking into account the nature and duration of the hazard, save where the competent authority decides to take over such tasks from the operator, after a waste facility has been finally closed and without prejudice to any national or Community legislation governing the liability of the waste holder.

5.   When considered necessary by the competent authority following closure of a waste facility, the operator shall, in particular, control the physical and chemical stability of the facility and minimise any negative environmental effect, in particular with respect to surface and groundwater, by ensuring that:

| (a) | all the structures pertaining to the facility are monitored and conserved, with control and measuring apparatus always ready for use; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

all the structures pertaining to the facility are monitored and conserved, with control and measuring apparatus always ready for use;

| (b) | where applicable, overflow channels and spillways are kept clean and free. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

where applicable, overflow channels and spillways are kept clean and free.

6.   Following closure of a waste facility, the operator shall, without delay, notify the competent authority of any events or developments likely to affect the stability of the waste facility, and any significant adverse environmental effects revealed by the relevant control and monitoring procedures. The operator shall implement the internal emergency plan, where applicable, and follow any other instruction from the competent authority as to the corrective measures to be taken.

The operator shall bear the costs of the measures to be undertaken.

In cases and at a frequency to be determined by the competent authority, the operator shall report, on the basis of aggregated data, all monitoring results to the competent authorities for the purposes of demonstrating compliance with permit conditions and increasing knowledge of waste and waste facility behaviour.

Article 13

Prevention of water status deterioration, air and soil pollution

1.   The competent authority shall satisfy itself that the operator has taken the necessary measures in order to:

| (a) | evaluate the leachate generation potential, including contaminant content of the leachate, of the deposited waste during both the operational and after-closure phase of the waste facility and determine the water balance of the waste facility; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

evaluate the leachate generation potential, including contaminant content of the leachate, of the deposited waste during both the operational and after-closure phase of the waste facility and determine the water balance of the waste facility;

| (b) | prevent or minimise leachate generation and surface water or groundwater and soil from being contaminated by the waste; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

prevent or minimise leachate generation and surface water or groundwater and soil from being contaminated by the waste;

| (c) | treat contaminated water and leachate collected from the waste facility to the appropriate standard required for their discharge. |
| --- | --- |

(c)

treat contaminated water and leachate collected from the waste facility to the appropriate standard required for their discharge.

2.   The competent authority shall ensure that the operator has taken adequate measures to prevent or reduce dust and gas emissions.

3.   Where, on the basis of an assessment of environmental risks, taking into account, in particular, Directives 76/464/EEC, 80/68/EEC or 2000/60/EC, as applicable, the competent authority has decided that collection and treatment of leachate is not necessary or it has been established that the waste facility poses no potential hazard to soil, groundwater or surface water, the requirements set out in paragraph 1(b) and (c) may be reduced or waived accordingly.

4.   Member States shall make the disposal of extractive waste, whether in solid, slurry or liquid form, into any receiving body of water other than one constructed for the purpose of disposing of extractive waste conditional upon compliance by the operator with the relevant requirements of Directives 76/464/EEC, 80/68/EEC and 2000/60/EC.

5.   In the case of a pond involving the presence of cyanide, the operator shall ensure that the concentration of weak acid dissociable cyanide in the pond is reduced to the lowest possible level using best available techniques and, in any case, at waste facilities which have previously been granted a permit or have already been in operation on ... (24), that the concentration of weak acid dissociable cyanide at the point of discharge of the tailings from the processing plant into the pond does not exceed 50 ppm as from ... (24), 25 ppm as from ... (25), 10 ppm as from ... (26) and 10 ppm at waste facilities which are granted a permit after ... (24).

If the competent authority so requests, the operator shall demonstrate, through a risk assessment that takes site-specific conditions into account, that those concentration limits need not be further lowered.

Article 14

Financial guarantee

1.   The competent authority shall, prior to the commencement of any operations involving the accumulation or deposit of extractive waste in a waste facility, require a financial guarantee (e.g. in the form of a financial deposit, including industry-sponsored mutual guarantee funds) or equivalent, in accordance with procedures to be decided by the Member States, so that:

| (a) | all obligations under the permit issued pursuant to this Directive, including after-closure provisions, are discharged; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

all obligations under the permit issued pursuant to this Directive, including after-closure provisions, are discharged;

| (b) | there are funds readily available at any given time for the rehabilitation of the site. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

there are funds readily available at any given time for the rehabilitation of the site.

2.   The calculation of the guarantee referred to in paragraph 1 shall be made on the basis of:

| (a) | the likely environmental impact of the waste facility, taking into account in particular the category of the waste facility, the characteristics of the waste and the future use of the rehabilitated land; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the likely environmental impact of the waste facility, taking into account in particular the category of the waste facility, the characteristics of the waste and the future use of the rehabilitated land;

| (b) | the assumption that independent and suitably qualified third parties will assess and perform any rehabilitation work needed. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the assumption that independent and suitably qualified third parties will assess and perform any rehabilitation work needed.

3.   The size of the guarantee shall be appropriately adjusted in line with the rehabilitation work needed to be carried out on the waste facility.

4.   Where the competent authority approves closure in accordance with Article 12(3), it shall provide the operator with a written statement releasing him from the guarantee obligation referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article with the exception of after-closure obligations as referred to in Article 12(4).

Article 15

Environmental liability

The following point shall be added to Annex III to Directive 2004/35/EC as follows:

| ‘13. | The management of extractive waste pursuant to Directive 2005/.../EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of ... on the management of waste from extractive industries (27). |
| --- | --- |

‘13.

The management of extractive waste pursuant to Directive 2005/.../EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of ... on the management of waste from extractive industries (27).

Article 16

Transboundary effects

1.   Where a Member State in which a waste facility is situated is aware that the operation of a category A waste facility is likely to have significant adverse effects on the environment of, and any resultant risks to human health in, another Member State, or where a Member State likely to be thus affected so requests, the Member State in whose territory the application for a permit pursuant to Article 7 was submitted shall forward the information provided pursuant to that Article to the other Member State at the same time as it makes it available to its own nationals.

Such information shall serve as a basis for any consultation necessary within the context of bilateral relations between the two Member States on a reciprocal and equivalent basis.

2.   Within the framework of their bilateral relations, Member States shall ensure that in the cases referred to in paragraph 1 the applications are also made available for an appropriate period of time to the public concerned of the Member State likely to be affected so that they will have the right to comment on them before the competent authority reaches its decision.

3.   Member States shall ensure that, in the event of an accident involving a waste facility as referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, information provided by the operator to the competent authority pursuant to Article 6(4) is immediately forwarded to the other Member State in order to help minimise the consequences of the accident for human health and to assess and minimise the extent of the actual or potential environmental damage.

Article 17

Inspections by the competent authority

1.   Prior to the commencement of deposit operations and at regular intervals thereafter, including the after-closure phase, to be decided by the Member State concerned, the competent authority shall inspect any waste facility covered by Article 7 in order to ensure that it complies with the relevant conditions of the permit. An affirmative finding shall in no way reduce the responsibility of the operator under the conditions of the permit.

2.   Member States shall require the operator to keep up-to-date records of all waste management operations and make them available for inspection by the competent authority and to ensure that, in the event of a change of operator during the management of a waste facility, there is an appropriate transfer of relevant up-to-date information and records relating to the waste facility.

Article 18

Obligation to report

1.   At intervals of three years, Member States shall transmit to the Commission a report on the implementation of this Directive. The report shall be drawn up on the basis of a questionnaire or outline to be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 23(2). The report shall be transmitted to the Commission within nine months of the end of the three-year period covered by it.

The Commission shall publish a report on the implementation of this Directive within nine months of receiving the reports from the Member States.

2.   Every year, Member States shall transmit to the Commission information on events notified by the operators in accordance with Articles 11(3) and 12(6). The Commission shall make this information available to the Member States upon request. Without prejudice to Community law on public access to environmental information, Member States shall in their turn make the information available to members of the public concerned on request.

Article 19

Penalties

The Member States shall lay down rules on penalties for infringement of the provisions of national law adopted pursuant to this Directive and shall take all measures necessary to ensure that they are implemented. The penalties provided for shall be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

Article 20

Inventory of closed waste facilities

Member States shall ensure that an inventory of closed waste facilities, including abandoned waste facilities, located on their territory which cause serious negative environmental impacts or have the potential of becoming in the medium or short term a serious threat to human health or the environment is drawn up and periodically updated. Such an inventory, to be made available to the public, shall be carried out within four years from ... (28), taking into account the methodologies as referred to in Article 21, if available.

28

Article 21

Exchange of information

1.   The Commission, assisted by the Committee referred to in Article 23, shall ensure that there is an appropriate exchange of technical and scientific information between Member States, with a view to developing methodologies relating to:

| (a) | the implementation of Article 20; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the implementation of Article 20;

| (b) | the rehabilitation of those closed waste facilities identified under Article 20 in order to satisfy the requirements of Article 4. Such methodologies shall allow for the establishment of the most appropriate risk assessment procedures and remedial actions having regard to the variation of geological, hydrogeological and climatological characteristics across Europe. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the rehabilitation of those closed waste facilities identified under Article 20 in order to satisfy the requirements of Article 4. Such methodologies shall allow for the establishment of the most appropriate risk assessment procedures and remedial actions having regard to the variation of geological, hydrogeological and climatological characteristics across Europe.

2.   Member States shall ensure that the competent authority follows or is informed of developments in best available techniques.

3.   The Commission shall organise an exchange of information between Member States and the organisations concerned on best available techniques, associated monitoring and developments in them. The Commission shall publish the results of the exchange of information.

Article 22

Implementing and amending measures

1.   By ... (29), the Commission shall adopt, in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 23(2), the provisions necessary for the following, prioritising (e), (f) and (g):

29

| (a) | the harmonisation and regular transmission of the information referred to in Articles 7(5) and 12(6); |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the harmonisation and regular transmission of the information referred to in Articles 7(5) and 12(6);

| (b) | the implementation of Article 13(5), including technical requirements relating to the definition of weak acid dissociable cyanide and its measurement method; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the implementation of Article 13(5), including technical requirements relating to the definition of weak acid dissociable cyanide and its measurement method;

| (c) | technical guidelines for the establishment of the financial guarantee in accordance with the requirements of Article 14(2); |
| --- | --- |

(c)

technical guidelines for the establishment of the financial guarantee in accordance with the requirements of Article 14(2);

| (d) | technical guidelines for inspections in accordance with Article 17; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

technical guidelines for inspections in accordance with Article 17;

| (e) | completion of the technical requirements for waste characterisation contained in Annex II; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

completion of the technical requirements for waste characterisation contained in Annex II;

| (f) | interpretation of the definition contained Article 3(3); |
| --- | --- |

(f)

interpretation of the definition contained Article 3(3);

| (g) | definition of the criteria for the classification of waste facilities in accordance with Annex III; |
| --- | --- |

(g)

definition of the criteria for the classification of waste facilities in accordance with Annex III;

| (h) | determination of any harmonised standards for sampling and analysis methods needed for the technical implementation of this Directive. |
| --- | --- |

(h)

determination of any harmonised standards for sampling and analysis methods needed for the technical implementation of this Directive.

2.   Any subsequent amendments necessary for adapting the Annexes to scientific and technical progress shall be adopted by the Commission in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 23(2).

Those amendments shall be made with a view to achieving a high level of environmental protection.

Article 23

Committee

1.   The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee established by Article 18 of Directive 75/442/EEC, hereinafter ‘the Committee’.

2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months.

3.   The Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

Article 24

Transitional provision

1.   Member States shall ensure that any waste facility which has been granted a permit or which is already in operation on ... (30) complies with the provisions of this Directive by ... (31), except for those set out in Article 14(1) for which compliance must be ensured by ... (32) and for those set out in Article 13(5) for which compliance must be ensured in accordance with the timetable laid down therein.

30

31

32

2.   Paragraph 1 shall not apply to waste facilities closed by ... (31).

31

3.   Articles 5 to 11, 12(1), (2), (5) and (6), 13(4) and (5) and 14(1) to (3) shall not apply to those waste facilities that:

| — | stopped accepting waste before ... (31), |
| --- | --- |

—

stopped accepting waste before ... (31),

31

| — | are completing the closure procedures in accordance with the applicable Community or national legislation or programmes approved by the competent authority, and |
| --- | --- |

—

are completing the closure procedures in accordance with the applicable Community or national legislation or programmes approved by the competent authority, and

| — | will be effectively closed by 31 December 2010. |
| --- | --- |

—

will be effectively closed by 31 December 2010.

Member States shall notify such cases to the Commission by ... (33) and ensure that these facilities are managed in a way that does not prejudice the achievement of the objectives of this Directive and those of any other Community legislation, including Directive 2000/60/EC.

33

Article 25

Transposition

1.   Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive before ... (34). They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.

34

When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.

2.   Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the provisions of national law which they adopt in the field covered by this Directive.

Article 26

Entry into force

This Directive shall enter into force on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Official Journal of the European Union

Article 27

Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at ...

For the European Parliament

The President

...

For the Council

The President

...

---

(1)  OJ C 80, 30.3.2004, p. 35.

1

(2)  OJ C 109, 30.4.2004, p. 33.

2

(3)  Opinion of the European Parliament of 31 March 2004 (OJ C 103 E, 29.4.2004, p. 634), Council Common Position of 12 April 2005 and Position of the European Parliament of ... (not yet published in the Official Journal).

3

(4)  OJ L 345, 31.12.2003, p. 97.

4

(5)  OJ L 257, 10.10.1996, p. 26. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).

5

(6)  OJ C 65 E, 14.3.2002, p. 382.

6

(7)  OJ L 242, 10.9.2002, p. 1.

7

(8)  OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, p. 39. Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003.

8

(9)  OJ L 182, 16.7.1999, p. 1. Directive as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003.

9

(10)  Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances (OJ L 10, 14.1.1997, p. 13). Directive as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003.

10

(11)  Council Directive 92/91/EEC of 3 November 1992 concerning the minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers in the mineral-extracting industries through drilling (11th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L 348, 28.11.1992, p. 9).

11

(12)  Council Directive 92/104/EEC of 3 December 1992 on the minimum requirements for improving the safety and health protection of workers in surface and underground mineral-extracting industries (12th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (OJ L 404, 31.12.1992, p. 10).

12

(13)  OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1. Directive as amended by Decision No 2455/2001/EC (OJ L 331, 15.12.2001, p. 1).

13

(14)  OJ L 143, 30.4.2004, p. 56.

14

(15)  OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

15

(16)  OJ C 321, 31.12.2003, p. 1.

16

(17)  OJ L 377, 31.12.1991, p. 20. Directive as amended by Directive 94/31/EC (OJ L 168, 2.7.1994, p. 28).

17

(18)  Council Directive 67/548/EEC of 27 June 1967 on the approximation of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous substances (OJ 196, 16.8.1967, p. 1). Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2004/73/EC (OJ L 152, 30.4.2004, p. 1).

18

(19)  Directive 1999/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 May 1999 concerning the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to the classification, packaging and labelling of dangerous preparations (OJ L 200, 30.7.1999, p. 1). Directive as last amended by Council Directive 2004/66/EC (OJ L 168, 1.5.2004, p. 35).

19

(20)  Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 175, 5.7.1985, p. 40). Directive as last amended by Directive 2003/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 156, 25.6.2003, p. 17).

20

(21)  OJ L 41, 14.2.2003, p. 26.

21

(22)  Council Directive 76/464/EEC of 4 May 1976 on pollution caused by certain dangerous substances discharged into the aquatic environment of the Community (OJ L 129, 18.5.1976, p. 23). Directive as last amended by Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

22

(23)  Council Directive 80/68/EEC of 17 December 1979 on the protection of groundwater against pollution caused by certain dangerous substances (OJ L 20, 26.1.1980, p. 43). Directive as amended by Directive 91/692/EEC (OJ L 377, 31.12.1991, p. 48).

23

(24)  Date referred to in Article 25(1).

24

(25)  Five years after the date referred to in Article 25(1).

25

(26)  Ten years after the date referred to in Article 25(1).

26

(27)  OJ L ...’.

27

(28)  Date referred to in Article 25(1).

28

(29)  Two years after the date of entry into force of this Directive.

29

(30)  Date referred to in Article 25(1).

30

(31)  Four years after the date referred to in Article 25(1).

31

(32)  Six years after the date referred to in Article 25(1).

32

(33)  Three months after the date referred to in Article 25(1).

33

(34)  Twenty four months after the date of entry into force of this Directive.

34

---

ANNEX I

Major-accident prevention policy and information to be communicated to the public concerned

1.   Major-accident prevention policy

The operator's major-accident prevention policy and safety management system should be proportionate to the major-accident hazards presented by the waste facility. For the purpose of implementing them, account shall be taken of the following elements:

| (1) | the major-accident prevention policy should include the operator's overall aims and principles of action with respect to the control of major-accident hazards; |
| --- | --- |

(1)

the major-accident prevention policy should include the operator's overall aims and principles of action with respect to the control of major-accident hazards;

| (2) | the safety management system should include the part of the general management system which includes the organisational structure, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for determining and implementing the major-accident prevention policy; |
| --- | --- |

(2)

the safety management system should include the part of the general management system which includes the organisational structure, responsibilities, practices, procedures, processes and resources for determining and implementing the major-accident prevention policy;

| (3) | the following issues shall be addressed by the safety management system:






  (a) | organisation and personnel — the roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in the management of major hazards at all levels in the organisation; identification of training needs of such personnel and the provision of the training so identified; and involvement of employees and, where appropriate, subcontractors; |
| --- | --- | --- |

(3)

the following issues shall be addressed by the safety management system:

(a)

organisation and personnel — the roles and responsibilities of personnel involved in the management of major hazards at all levels in the organisation; identification of training needs of such personnel and the provision of the training so identified; and involvement of employees and, where appropriate, subcontractors;

| (b) | identification and evaluation of major hazards — adoption and implementation of procedures for systematically identifying major hazards arising from normal and abnormal operations and assessment of their likelihood and severity; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

identification and evaluation of major hazards — adoption and implementation of procedures for systematically identifying major hazards arising from normal and abnormal operations and assessment of their likelihood and severity;

| (c) | operational control — adoption and implementation of procedures and instructions for safe operation, including maintenance of plant, processes, equipment and temporary stoppages; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

operational control — adoption and implementation of procedures and instructions for safe operation, including maintenance of plant, processes, equipment and temporary stoppages;

| (d) | management of change — adoption and implementation of procedures for planning modifications to, or the design of, new waste facilities; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

management of change — adoption and implementation of procedures for planning modifications to, or the design of, new waste facilities;

| (e) | planning for emergencies — adoption and implementation of procedures to identify foreseeable emergencies by systematic analysis and to prepare, test and review emergency plans to respond to such emergencies; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

planning for emergencies — adoption and implementation of procedures to identify foreseeable emergencies by systematic analysis and to prepare, test and review emergency plans to respond to such emergencies;

| (f) | monitoring performance — adoption and implementation of procedures for the ongoing assessment of compliance with the objectives set by the operator's major-accident prevention policy and safety management system, and the mechanisms for investigation and taking corrective action in case of non-compliance. The procedures should cover the operator's system for reporting major accidents or near misses, particularly those involving failure of protective measures, and their investigation and follow-up on the basis of lessons learnt; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

monitoring performance — adoption and implementation of procedures for the ongoing assessment of compliance with the objectives set by the operator's major-accident prevention policy and safety management system, and the mechanisms for investigation and taking corrective action in case of non-compliance. The procedures should cover the operator's system for reporting major accidents or near misses, particularly those involving failure of protective measures, and their investigation and follow-up on the basis of lessons learnt;

| (g) | audit and review — adoption and implementation of procedures for periodic systematic assessment of the major-accident prevention policy and the effectiveness and suitability of the safety management system; the documented review of performance of the policy and safety management system and its updating by senior management. |
| --- | --- |

(g)

audit and review — adoption and implementation of procedures for periodic systematic assessment of the major-accident prevention policy and the effectiveness and suitability of the safety management system; the documented review of performance of the policy and safety management system and its updating by senior management.

2.   Information to be communicated to the public concerned

| (1) | Name of operator and address of the waste facility. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Name of operator and address of the waste facility.

| (2) | Identification, by position held, of the person providing the information. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

Identification, by position held, of the person providing the information.

| (3) | Confirmation that the waste facility is subject to the regulations and/or administrative provisions implementing this Directive and, when applicable, that the information relevant to the elements referred to in Article 6(2) has been submitted to the competent authority. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

Confirmation that the waste facility is subject to the regulations and/or administrative provisions implementing this Directive and, when applicable, that the information relevant to the elements referred to in Article 6(2) has been submitted to the competent authority.

| (4) | An explanation in clear and simple terms of the activity or activities undertaken at the site. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

An explanation in clear and simple terms of the activity or activities undertaken at the site.

| (5) | The common names or the generic names or the general danger classification of the substances and preparations involved at the waste facility as well as waste which could give rise to a major accident, with an indication of their principal dangerous characteristics. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

The common names or the generic names or the general danger classification of the substances and preparations involved at the waste facility as well as waste which could give rise to a major accident, with an indication of their principal dangerous characteristics.

| (6) | General information relating to the nature of the major-accident hazards, including their potential effects on the surrounding population and environment. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

General information relating to the nature of the major-accident hazards, including their potential effects on the surrounding population and environment.

| (7) | Adequate information on how the surrounding population concerned are to be warned and kept informed in the event of a major accident. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

Adequate information on how the surrounding population concerned are to be warned and kept informed in the event of a major accident.

| (8) | Adequate information on the actions the population concerned should take, and on the behaviour they should adopt, in the event of a major accident. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

Adequate information on the actions the population concerned should take, and on the behaviour they should adopt, in the event of a major accident.

| (9) | Confirmation that the operator is required to make adequate arrangements on site, in particular liaison with the emergency services, to deal with major accidents and to minimise their effects. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

Confirmation that the operator is required to make adequate arrangements on site, in particular liaison with the emergency services, to deal with major accidents and to minimise their effects.

| (10) | A reference to the external emergency plan drawn up to cope with any off-site effects from an accident. This should include advice to cooperate with any instructions or requests from the emergency services at the time of an accident. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

A reference to the external emergency plan drawn up to cope with any off-site effects from an accident. This should include advice to cooperate with any instructions or requests from the emergency services at the time of an accident.

| (11) | Details of where further relevant information can be obtained, subject to the requirements of confidentiality laid down in national legislation. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

Details of where further relevant information can be obtained, subject to the requirements of confidentiality laid down in national legislation.

---

ANNEX II

Waste characterisation

The waste to be deposited in a facility shall be characterised in such a way as to guarantee the long-term physical and chemical stability of the structure of the facility and to prevent major accidents. The waste characterisation shall include, where appropriate and in accordance with the category of the waste facility, the following aspects:

| (1) | description of expected physical and chemical characteristics of the waste to be deposited in the short and the long term
  ,
  with particular reference to its stability under surface atmospheric/meteorological conditions; |
| --- | --- |

(1)

description of expected physical and chemical characteristics of the waste to be deposited in the short and the long term
  ,
  with particular reference to its stability under surface atmospheric/meteorological conditions;

| (2) | classification of the waste according to the relevant entry in Commission Decision 2000/532/EC (1), with particular regard to its hazardous characteristics; |
| --- | --- |

(2)

classification of the waste according to the relevant entry in Commission Decision 2000/532/EC (1), with particular regard to its hazardous characteristics;

| (3) | description of the chemical substances to be used during treatment of the mineral resource and their stability; |
| --- | --- |

(3)

description of the chemical substances to be used during treatment of the mineral resource and their stability;

| (4) | description of the method of deposition; |
| --- | --- |

(4)

description of the method of deposition;

| (5) | waste transport system to be employed. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

waste transport system to be employed.

---

(1)  Commission Decision 2000/532/EC of 3 May 2000 replacing Decision 94/3/EC establishing a list of wastes pursuant to Article 1(a) of Council Directive 75/442/EEC on waste and Council Decision 94/904/EC establishing a list of hazardous waste pursuant to Article 1(4) of Council Directive 91/689/EEC on hazardous waste (OJ L 226, 6.9.2000, p. 3). Decision as last amended by Council Decision 2001/573/EC (OJ L 203, 28.7.2001, p. 18).

---

ANNEX III

Criteria for determining the classification of waste facilities

A waste facility shall be classified under category A if:

| — | a failure or incorrect operation, e.g. the collapse of a heap or the bursting of a dam, could give rise to a major accident, on the basis of a risk assessment taking into account factors such as the present or future size, the location and the environmental impact of the waste facility; or |
| --- | --- |

—

a failure or incorrect operation, e.g. the collapse of a heap or the bursting of a dam, could give rise to a major accident, on the basis of a risk assessment taking into account factors such as the present or future size, the location and the environmental impact of the waste facility; or

| — | it contains waste classified as hazardous under Directive 91/689/EEC above a certain threshold; or |
| --- | --- |

—

it contains waste classified as hazardous under Directive 91/689/EEC above a certain threshold; or

| — | it contains substances or preparations classified as dangerous under Directives 67/548/EEC or 1999/45/EC above a certain threshold. |
| --- | --- |

—

it contains substances or preparations classified as dangerous under Directives 67/548/EEC or 1999/45/EC above a certain threshold.

---

STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S REASONS

I.   INTRODUCTION

| 1. | The Commission submitted its proposal to the Council on 3 June 2003 (1). The proposal is based on Article 175(1) of the Treaty. |
| --- | --- |

1.

The Commission submitted its proposal to the Council on 3 June 2003 (1). The proposal is based on Article 175(1) of the Treaty.

| 2. | The Economic and Social Committee delivered its opinion on 11 December 2003 (2). |
| --- | --- |

2.

The Economic and Social Committee delivered its opinion on 11 December 2003 (2).

| 3. | The Committee of the Regions delivered its opinion on 11 February 2004 (3). |
| --- | --- |

3.

The Committee of the Regions delivered its opinion on 11 February 2004 (3).

| 4. | The European Parliament adopted its opinion at first reading on 31 March 2004 (4). |
| --- | --- |

4.

The European Parliament adopted its opinion at first reading on 31 March 2004 (4).

| 5. | On 12 April 2005, the Council adopted its common position in accordance with Article 251(2) of the Treaty. |
| --- | --- |

5.

On 12 April 2005, the Council adopted its common position in accordance with Article 251(2) of the Treaty.

II.   OBJECTIVE

The objective of the proposal is to set minimum requirements in order to improve the way in which waste from the extractive industries is managed by specifically addressing environmental and human health risks that may arise from the treatment, recovery and disposal phases of such waste. To that end the proposal contains the following main elements: conditions for operating permits, general obligations covering waste management, the obligation to characterise waste before disposing of it or treating it, measures to ensure the safety of waste management facilities, a requirement to draw up closure plans and an obligation to provide for an appropriate level of financial security.

III.   ANALYSIS OF THE COMMON POSITION

1.   General

The common position is substantially in accordance with the positions taken by the Commission and the Parliament, insofar as it:

| — | confirms all the objectives and essential elements of the Commission's proposal which were also supported by the European Parliament; |
| --- | --- |

—

confirms all the objectives and essential elements of the Commission's proposal which were also supported by the European Parliament;

| — | takes the greatest possible account of the opinion of the European Parliament by taking on, in letter or in spirit, a great number of its amendments. In particular, elements of the amendments relating to the scope of the Directive, the definition of waste facility, the financial guarantee and the inventory of closed sites have been accepted in principle by the Council, subject to some adjustments (see paragraph 2 for specific comments). |
| --- | --- |

—

takes the greatest possible account of the opinion of the European Parliament by taking on, in letter or in spirit, a great number of its amendments. In particular, elements of the amendments relating to the scope of the Directive, the definition of waste facility, the financial guarantee and the inventory of closed sites have been accepted in principle by the Council, subject to some adjustments (see paragraph 2 for specific comments).

2.   European Parliament Amendments

In its plenary vote on 31 March 2004, the European Parliament, at first reading, adopted 74 amendments to the proposal. The common position incorporates (totally, in part or in principle, by means of identical or similar wording, or in spirit) 43 amendments.

| (a) | The amendments that have been incorporated can be grouped as follows (the amendments are listed below in order of their inclusion in the common position)

  19 amendments accepted (almost) literally: 3, 7, 11, 12, 14, 16, 28, 30, 32, 35, 39, 93, 50, 51, 52, 57, 59, 60, 75.
  24 amendments accepted in part or in spirit.
  Recitals

  Amendment 2: it has been clarified that wastes from the extractive industries have to be waste in accordance with the definition contained in the waste framework Directive in order for the minimum requirements of this Directive to apply.

  Amendment 5: this amendment has been incorporated with some small changes to ensure consistency.

  Amendment 86: this amendment has been accepted in principle (see also amendment 98). In addition, for non-hazardous non-inert waste Member States would be entitled to reduce or waive certain requirements. Furthermore, the Council feels that waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of peat should also only be subject to a limited set of requirements.

  Amendment 6: see amendments 71-72.
  Articles

  Amendment 13: the spirit of this amendment has been incorporated in recital 8.

  Amendment 98: the European Parliament has proposed that a limited set of requirements apply to non-hazardous inert waste, unpolluted soil and non-hazardous prospecting waste. The Council has taken this amendment on board and has clarified that category A waste facilities should in any case be subject to all the provisions of this Directive. Furthermore, the Council feels that waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of peat should also only be subject to this limited set of requirements. In addition, the Council has included the possibility for Member States to reduce or waive certain requirements for non-hazardous non-inert waste, unless deposited in a category A waste facility.

  Amendment 17: the ‘thermal’ process has been added to the list of processes carried out on mineral resources with a view to extracting the mineral.

  Amendment 21: the European Parliament proposed that no time period apply to storage of waste before it can qualify as a waste facility. The Council has accepted this approach for all category A waste facilities and facilities for hazardous waste characterised in the waste management plan and has foreseen a more proportionate approach for the less dangerous categories of waste.

  Amendment 25: minimisation of extractive waste has been included alongside treatment, recovery and disposal.

  Amendment 27: the first part of the amendment has been taken on board literally.

  Amendments 29: the spirit of this amendment has been accepted; the details have been deleted as they were considered too specific.

  Amendment 31: the amendment has been accepted subject to a slight rewording.

  Amendment 36: this amendment was intended to add a requirement to include a safety report and internal emergency plan in the major-accident prevention policy required under Article 6(3). In the common position the requirement for a safety report and internal emergency plan is introduced in Article 5(3)(a) along with the major-accident plan, to be included in a document accompanying the waste management plan for category A waste facilities.

  Amendment 37: the spirit of this amendment has been reflected in Article 7(4), where all the circumstances for reconsideration and, where necessary, updating of permit conditions are included.

  Amendment 44: the prevention of soil pollution has been included as one of the measures the operator should take when placing extractive waste back into the excavation voids for rehabilitation and construction purposes.

  Amendment 47: the request for regular monitoring and inspection of the waste facility has been taken on board.

  Amendment 63: the Council has focused attention on dust and gas emissions.

  Amendments 66, 67 and 68: these amendments correspond largely to what the Council has established in its common position: The procedures for the establishment of a financial guarantee shall be decided by the Member States, the Commission shall, to that end, establish technical guidelines (Article 22(1)(c)) and the commencement of any operations of deposit of waste in a waste facility is not possible without a guarantee (Article 7(2)(d)). The wording ‘financial guarantee (e.g. in the form of a financial deposit, including industry-sponsored mutual guarantee funds) or equivalent’ has been used to take into account the variety of legal systems in the Member States.

  Amendment 70: this amendment has been accepted subject to the safeguard that Community legislation on public access to environmental legislation is applicable.

  Amendments 71 and 72: the Council accepts the spirit of the amendment that an inventory of closed waste facilities which cause serious negative environmental impacts or have the potential of becoming, in the medium or short term, a serious threat to human health or the environment be drawn up. In redrafting the amendment, the Council has tried to reconcile the objectives of a high level of protection of the environment and the minimisation of the bureaucratic burden resulting from the obligation to draw up such an inventory.

  Amendment 76: the first indent of Annex III has been reworded with a reference to ‘major accident’; the corresponding definition (Article 3(16)) contains the wording suggested by the European Parliament. |
| --- | --- |

(a)

The amendments that have been incorporated can be grouped as follows (the amendments are listed below in order of their inclusion in the common position)

19 amendments accepted (almost) literally: 3, 7, 11, 12, 14, 16, 28, 30, 32, 35, 39, 93, 50, 51, 52, 57, 59, 60, 75.

Recitals

Amendment 2: it has been clarified that wastes from the extractive industries have to be waste in accordance with the definition contained in the waste framework Directive in order for the minimum requirements of this Directive to apply.

Amendment 5: this amendment has been incorporated with some small changes to ensure consistency.

Amendment 86: this amendment has been accepted in principle (see also amendment 98). In addition, for non-hazardous non-inert waste Member States would be entitled to reduce or waive certain requirements. Furthermore, the Council feels that waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of peat should also only be subject to a limited set of requirements.

Amendment 6: see amendments 71-72.

Articles

Amendment 13: the spirit of this amendment has been incorporated in recital 8.

Amendment 98: the European Parliament has proposed that a limited set of requirements apply to non-hazardous inert waste, unpolluted soil and non-hazardous prospecting waste. The Council has taken this amendment on board and has clarified that category A waste facilities should in any case be subject to all the provisions of this Directive. Furthermore, the Council feels that waste resulting from the extraction, treatment and storage of peat should also only be subject to this limited set of requirements. In addition, the Council has included the possibility for Member States to reduce or waive certain requirements for non-hazardous non-inert waste, unless deposited in a category A waste facility.

Amendment 17: the ‘thermal’ process has been added to the list of processes carried out on mineral resources with a view to extracting the mineral.

Amendment 21: the European Parliament proposed that no time period apply to storage of waste before it can qualify as a waste facility. The Council has accepted this approach for all category A waste facilities and facilities for hazardous waste characterised in the waste management plan and has foreseen a more proportionate approach for the less dangerous categories of waste.

Amendment 25: minimisation of extractive waste has been included alongside treatment, recovery and disposal.

Amendment 27: the first part of the amendment has been taken on board literally.

Amendments 29: the spirit of this amendment has been accepted; the details have been deleted as they were considered too specific.

Amendment 31: the amendment has been accepted subject to a slight rewording.

Amendment 36: this amendment was intended to add a requirement to include a safety report and internal emergency plan in the major-accident prevention policy required under Article 6(3). In the common position the requirement for a safety report and internal emergency plan is introduced in Article 5(3)(a) along with the major-accident plan, to be included in a document accompanying the waste management plan for category A waste facilities.

Amendment 37: the spirit of this amendment has been reflected in Article 7(4), where all the circumstances for reconsideration and, where necessary, updating of permit conditions are included.

Amendment 44: the prevention of soil pollution has been included as one of the measures the operator should take when placing extractive waste back into the excavation voids for rehabilitation and construction purposes.

Amendment 47: the request for regular monitoring and inspection of the waste facility has been taken on board.

Amendment 63: the Council has focused attention on dust and gas emissions.

Amendments 66, 67 and 68: these amendments correspond largely to what the Council has established in its common position: The procedures for the establishment of a financial guarantee shall be decided by the Member States, the Commission shall, to that end, establish technical guidelines (Article 22(1)(c)) and the commencement of any operations of deposit of waste in a waste facility is not possible without a guarantee (Article 7(2)(d)). The wording ‘financial guarantee (e.g. in the form of a financial deposit, including industry-sponsored mutual guarantee funds) or equivalent’ has been used to take into account the variety of legal systems in the Member States.

Amendment 70: this amendment has been accepted subject to the safeguard that Community legislation on public access to environmental legislation is applicable.

Amendments 71 and 72: the Council accepts the spirit of the amendment that an inventory of closed waste facilities which cause serious negative environmental impacts or have the potential of becoming, in the medium or short term, a serious threat to human health or the environment be drawn up. In redrafting the amendment, the Council has tried to reconcile the objectives of a high level of protection of the environment and the minimisation of the bureaucratic burden resulting from the obligation to draw up such an inventory.

Amendment 76: the first indent of Annex III has been reworded with a reference to ‘major accident’; the corresponding definition (Article 3(16)) contains the wording suggested by the European Parliament.

| (b) | The following amendments have not been incorporated:

  Recitals

  Amendment 4: the European Parliament proposes to delete this recital which clarifies that the waste framework Directive continues to apply to any aspects of the management of extractive waste which are not covered by this Directive.

  Amendment 8: the European Parliament proposes to delete a standard provision relating to the principle of subsidiarity that should apply to this proposal.
  Articles

  Amendments 42, 43 and 45: these amendments go beyond the scope of the proposal. Amendment 42 would include non-waste materials; amendments 43 and 45 would extend measures aimed at backfilled waste to the excavation void itself.

  Amendments 9, 90, 22, 24, 26, 34, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 55, 56, 61 and 74: these amendments contain clarifications which the Council considered too detailed/prescriptive to include in a directive or which are already included in other articles of the proposal. Amendment 90 has been included in recital 4.

  Amendment 65: the Council considers that this amendment falls outside the scope of this Directive.

  Amendment 69: this amendment changes the wording taken from the UN Convention on transboundary environmental impact assessment (Espoo Convention).

  Amendments 19, 20 and 88: these amendments relate to linguistic or terminological issues that were not taken on board by the Council to ensure consistency throughout the proposal.

  Amendments 46, 54, 58 and 73: these amendments include references to Community legislation that is in any event applicable; these Community environmental standards have in any case to be met.

  Amendments 62 and 64: Article 13(4) already requires Member States to make the disposal of extractive waste into any receiving body of water other than one constructed for the purpose of disposing of extractive waste conditional upon compliance by the operator with the relevant requirements of Directives 76/464/EEC, 80/68/EEC and 2000/60/EC. |
| --- | --- |

(b)

The following amendments have not been incorporated:

Recitals

Amendment 4: the European Parliament proposes to delete this recital which clarifies that the waste framework Directive continues to apply to any aspects of the management of extractive waste which are not covered by this Directive.

Amendment 8: the European Parliament proposes to delete a standard provision relating to the principle of subsidiarity that should apply to this proposal.

Articles

Amendments 42, 43 and 45: these amendments go beyond the scope of the proposal. Amendment 42 would include non-waste materials; amendments 43 and 45 would extend measures aimed at backfilled waste to the excavation void itself.

Amendments 9, 90, 22, 24, 26, 34, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 55, 56, 61 and 74: these amendments contain clarifications which the Council considered too detailed/prescriptive to include in a directive or which are already included in other articles of the proposal. Amendment 90 has been included in recital 4.

Amendment 65: the Council considers that this amendment falls outside the scope of this Directive.

Amendment 69: this amendment changes the wording taken from the UN Convention on transboundary environmental impact assessment (Espoo Convention).

Amendments 19, 20 and 88: these amendments relate to linguistic or terminological issues that were not taken on board by the Council to ensure consistency throughout the proposal.

Amendments 46, 54, 58 and 73: these amendments include references to Community legislation that is in any event applicable; these Community environmental standards have in any case to be met.

Amendments 62 and 64: Article 13(4) already requires Member States to make the disposal of extractive waste into any receiving body of water other than one constructed for the purpose of disposing of extractive waste conditional upon compliance by the operator with the relevant requirements of Directives 76/464/EEC, 80/68/EEC and 2000/60/EC.

IV.   CONCLUSION

Despite the fact that the Council is not able to accept all the amendments adopted by the European Parliament, it considers that the common position coincides to a large extent with the concerns of the Parliament and is in line with the Commission's amended proposal.

---

(1)  Doc. 10143/03 – COM(2003) 319 final.

(2)  OJ C 80, 30.3.2004, p. 35.

(3)  OJ C 109, 30.4.2004, p. 33.

(4)  OJ C 103 E, 29.4.2004, p. 634.

---

| 12.7.2005 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | CE 172/26 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

12.7.2005

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 172/26

---

COMMON POSITION (EC) No 24/2005

adopted by the Council on 18 April 2005

with a view to adopting Directive 2005/.../EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of ... on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (optical radiation) (19th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)

(2005/C 172 E/02)

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 137(2) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), presented after consultation with the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work,

Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (2),

After consulting the Committee of the Regions,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3),

Whereas:

| (1) | Under the Treaty the Council may, by means of directives, adopt minimum requirements for encouraging improvements, especially in the working environment, to guarantee a better level of protection of the health and safety of workers. Such directives are to avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and development of small and medium-sized undertakings. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Under the Treaty the Council may, by means of directives, adopt minimum requirements for encouraging improvements, especially in the working environment, to guarantee a better level of protection of the health and safety of workers. Such directives are to avoid imposing administrative, financial and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and development of small and medium-sized undertakings.

| (2) | The communication from the Commission concerning its action programme relating to the implementation of the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers provides for the introduction of minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks caused by physical agents. In September 1990 the European Parliament adopted a Resolution concerning this action programme (4), inviting the Commission in particular to draw up a specific directive on the risks caused by noise, vibration and any other physical agents at the workplace. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

The communication from the Commission concerning its action programme relating to the implementation of the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers provides for the introduction of minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks caused by physical agents. In September 1990 the European Parliament adopted a Resolution concerning this action programme (4), inviting the Commission in particular to draw up a specific directive on the risks caused by noise, vibration and any other physical agents at the workplace.

| (3) | As a first step, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2002/44/EC of 25 June 2002 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration) (16th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (5). Next, on 6 February 2003, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2003/10/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise) (17th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (6). Thereafter, on 29 April 2004, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2004/40/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) (18th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (7). |
| --- | --- |

(3)

As a first step, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2002/44/EC of 25 June 2002 on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (vibration) (16th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (5). Next, on 6 February 2003, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2003/10/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (noise) (17th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (6). Thereafter, on 29 April 2004, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2004/40/EC on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents (electromagnetic fields) (18th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (7).

| (4) | It is now considered necessary to introduce measures protecting workers from the risks associated with optical radiation, owing to its effects on the health and safety of workers, in particular damage to the eyes and to the skin. These measures are intended not only to ensure the health and safety of each worker on an individual basis, but also to create a minimum basis of protection for all Community workers, in order to avoid possible distortions of competition. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

It is now considered necessary to introduce measures protecting workers from the risks associated with optical radiation, owing to its effects on the health and safety of workers, in particular damage to the eyes and to the skin. These measures are intended not only to ensure the health and safety of each worker on an individual basis, but also to create a minimum basis of protection for all Community workers, in order to avoid possible distortions of competition.

| (5) | This Directive lays down minimum requirements, thus giving Member States the option of maintaining or adopting more stringent provisions for the protection of workers, in particular the fixing of lower exposure limit values. The implementation of this Directive should not serve to justify any regression in relation to the situation which already prevails in each Member State. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

This Directive lays down minimum requirements, thus giving Member States the option of maintaining or adopting more stringent provisions for the protection of workers, in particular the fixing of lower exposure limit values. The implementation of this Directive should not serve to justify any regression in relation to the situation which already prevails in each Member State.

| (6) | A system of protection against the hazards of optical radiation should limit itself to a definition, free of excessive detail, of the objectives to be attained, the principles to be observed and the fundamental values to be applied, in order to enable Member States to apply the minimum requirements in an equivalent manner. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

A system of protection against the hazards of optical radiation should limit itself to a definition, free of excessive detail, of the objectives to be attained, the principles to be observed and the fundamental values to be applied, in order to enable Member States to apply the minimum requirements in an equivalent manner.

| (7) | The level of exposure to optical radiation can be more effectively reduced by incorporating preventive measures into the design of workstations and by selecting work equipment, procedures and methods so as to give priority to reducing the risks at source. Provisions relating to work equipment and methods thus contribute to the protection of the workers involved. In accordance with the general principles of prevention as laid down in Article 6(2) of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (8), collective protection measures have priority over individual protection measures. |
| --- | --- |

(7)

The level of exposure to optical radiation can be more effectively reduced by incorporating preventive measures into the design of workstations and by selecting work equipment, procedures and methods so as to give priority to reducing the risks at source. Provisions relating to work equipment and methods thus contribute to the protection of the workers involved. In accordance with the general principles of prevention as laid down in Article 6(2) of Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (8), collective protection measures have priority over individual protection measures.

| (8) | Employers should make adjustments in the light of technical progress and scientific knowledge regarding risks related to exposure to optical radiation, with a view to improving the safety and health protection of workers. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

Employers should make adjustments in the light of technical progress and scientific knowledge regarding risks related to exposure to optical radiation, with a view to improving the safety and health protection of workers.

| (9) | Since this Directive is an individual directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, that Directive applies to the exposure of workers to optical radiation, without prejudice to more stringent and/or specific provisions contained in this Directive. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

Since this Directive is an individual directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, that Directive applies to the exposure of workers to optical radiation, without prejudice to more stringent and/or specific provisions contained in this Directive.

| (10) | This Directive constitutes a practical step towards creating the social dimension of the internal market. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

This Directive constitutes a practical step towards creating the social dimension of the internal market.

| (11) | A complementary approach that both promotes the principle of better regulation and ensures a high level of protection can be achieved where the products made by the manufacturers of optical radiation sources and associated equipment comply with harmonised standards devised to protect the health and safety of users from the hazards inherent in such products; accordingly, it is not necessary for employers to repeat the measurements or calculations already undertaken by the manufacturer to determine compliance with the essential safety requirements of such equipment as specified in the applicable Community Directives. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

A complementary approach that both promotes the principle of better regulation and ensures a high level of protection can be achieved where the products made by the manufacturers of optical radiation sources and associated equipment comply with harmonised standards devised to protect the health and safety of users from the hazards inherent in such products; accordingly, it is not necessary for employers to repeat the measurements or calculations already undertaken by the manufacturer to determine compliance with the essential safety requirements of such equipment as specified in the applicable Community Directives.

| (12) | The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (9). |
| --- | --- |

(12)

The measures necessary for the implementation of this Directive should be adopted in accordance with Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999 laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (9).

| (13) | Adherence to the exposure limit values should provide a high level of protection as regards the health effects that may result from exposure to optical radiation. However, since the application of exposure limit values and engineering controls are not deemed appropriate in the case of exposure to natural sources of optical radiation, preventive measures, including information and training for workers, are critical in the assessment of risk and the reduction of solar exposure risks. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

Adherence to the exposure limit values should provide a high level of protection as regards the health effects that may result from exposure to optical radiation. However, since the application of exposure limit values and engineering controls are not deemed appropriate in the case of exposure to natural sources of optical radiation, preventive measures, including information and training for workers, are critical in the assessment of risk and the reduction of solar exposure risks.

| (14) | In accordance with paragraph 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making (10), Member States are encouraged to draw up, for themselves and in the interests of the Community, their own tables, which will, as far as possible, illustrate the correlation between this Directive and the transposition measures, and to make them public, |
| --- | --- |

(14)

In accordance with paragraph 34 of the Interinstitutional Agreement on better law-making (10), Member States are encouraged to draw up, for themselves and in the interests of the Community, their own tables, which will, as far as possible, illustrate the correlation between this Directive and the transposition measures, and to make them public,

HAVE ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:

SECTION I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1

Aim and scope

1.   This Directive, which is the 19th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(l) of Directive 89/391/EEC, lays down minimum requirements for the protection of workers from risks to their health and safety arising or likely to arise from exposure to optical radiation during their work.

2.   This Directive refers to the risk to the health and safety of workers due to adverse effects caused by exposure to optical radiation to the eyes and to the skin.

3.   Directive 89/391/EEC shall apply fully to the whole area referred to in paragraph 1, without prejudice to more stringent and/or more specific provisions contained in this Directive.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Directive, the following definitions shall apply:

| (a) | optical radiation: any electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range between 100 nm and 1 mm. The spectrum of optical radiation is divided into ultraviolet radiation, visible radiation and infrared radiation:






  (i) | ultraviolet radiation: optical radiation of wavelength range between 100 nm and 400 nm. The ultraviolet region is divided into UVA (315 to 400 nm), UVB (280 to 315 nm) and UVC (100 to 280 nm); |
| --- | --- | --- |

(a)

optical radiation: any electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range between 100 nm and 1 mm. The spectrum of optical radiation is divided into ultraviolet radiation, visible radiation and infrared radiation:

(i)

ultraviolet radiation: optical radiation of wavelength range between 100 nm and 400 nm. The ultraviolet region is divided into UVA (315 to 400 nm), UVB (280 to 315 nm) and UVC (100 to 280 nm);

| (ii) | visible radiation: optical radiation of wavelength range between 380 nm and 780 nm; |
| --- | --- |

(ii)

visible radiation: optical radiation of wavelength range between 380 nm and 780 nm;

| (iii) | infrared radiation: optical radiation of wavelength range between 780 nm and 1 mm. The infrared region is divided into IRA (780 to 1 400 nm), IRB (1 400 to 3 000 nm) and IRC (3 000 nm to 1 mm); |
| --- | --- |

(iii)

infrared radiation: optical radiation of wavelength range between 780 nm and 1 mm. The infrared region is divided into IRA (780 to 1 400 nm), IRB (1 400 to 3 000 nm) and IRC (3 000 nm to 1 mm);

| (b) | laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation): any device which can be made to produce or amplify electromagnetic radiation in the optical radiation wavelength range primarily by the process of controlled stimulated emission; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation): any device which can be made to produce or amplify electromagnetic radiation in the optical radiation wavelength range primarily by the process of controlled stimulated emission;

| (c) | laser radiation: optical radiation from a laser; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

laser radiation: optical radiation from a laser;

| (d) | non-coherent radiation: any optical radiation other than laser radiation; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

non-coherent radiation: any optical radiation other than laser radiation;

| (e) | exposure limit values: limits on exposure to optical radiation which are based directly on established health effects and biological considerations. Compliance with these limits will ensure that workers exposed to artificial sources of optical radiation are protected against all known adverse health effects; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

exposure limit values: limits on exposure to optical radiation which are based directly on established health effects and biological considerations. Compliance with these limits will ensure that workers exposed to artificial sources of optical radiation are protected against all known adverse health effects;

| (f) | irradiance (E) or power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface expressed in watts per square metre (W m-2); |
| --- | --- |

(f)

irradiance (E) or power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface expressed in watts per square metre (W m-2);

| (g) | radiant exposure (H): the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre (J m-2); |
| --- | --- |

(g)

radiant exposure (H): the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre (J m-2);

| (h) | radiance (L): the radiant flux or power output per unit solid angle per unit area, expressed in watts per square metre per steradian (W m-2 sr-1); |
| --- | --- |

(h)

radiance (L): the radiant flux or power output per unit solid angle per unit area, expressed in watts per square metre per steradian (W m-2 sr-1);

| (i) | level: the combination of irradiance, radiant exposure and radiance to which a worker is exposed. |
| --- | --- |

(i)

level: the combination of irradiance, radiant exposure and radiance to which a worker is exposed.

Article 3

Exposure limit values

1.   The exposure limit values for non-coherent radiation, other than that emitted by natural sources of optical radiation, are as set out in Annex I.

2.   The exposure limit values for laser radiation are as set out in Annex II.

SECTION II

OBLIGATIONS OF EMPLOYERS

Article 4

Determination of exposure and assessment of risks

1.   In carrying out the obligations laid down in Articles 6(3) and 9(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer, in the case of workers exposed to artificial sources of optical radiation, shall assess and, if necessary, measure and/or calculate the levels of exposure to optical radiation to which workers are likely to be exposed so that the measures needed to restrict exposure to the applicable limits can be identified and put into effect. The methodology applied in assessment, measurement and/or calculations shall follow the standards of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in respect of laser radiation and the recommendations of the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) and the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN) in respect of non-coherent radiation. In exposure situations which are not covered by these standards and recommendations, and until appropriate EU standards or recommendations become available, assessment, measurement and/or calculations shall be carried out using available national or international science-based guidelines. In both exposure situations, the assessment may take account of data provided by the manufacturers of the equipment when it is covered by relevant Community Directives.

2.   In carrying out the obligations laid down in Articles 6(3) and 9(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer, in the case of workers exposed to natural sources of optical radiation, shall assess the risks to health and safety so that the measures needed to minimise these risks can be identified and put into effect.

3.   The assessment, measurement and/or calculations referred to in paragraph 1 and the assessment referred to in paragraph 2 shall be planned and carried out by competent services or persons at suitable intervals, taking particular account of the provisions of Articles 7 and 11 of Directive 89/391/EEC concerning the necessary competent services or persons and the consultation and participation of workers. The data obtained from the assessments, including those obtained from the measurement and/or calculations of the level of exposure referred to in paragraph 1, shall be preserved in a suitable form so as to permit consultation at a later stage.

4.   Pursuant to Article 6(3) of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer shall give particular attention, when carrying out the risk assessment, to the following:

| (a) | the level, wavelength range and duration of exposure to artificial sources of optical radiation; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the level, wavelength range and duration of exposure to artificial sources of optical radiation;

| (b) | the exposure to natural sources of optical radiation; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the exposure to natural sources of optical radiation;

| (c) | the exposure limit values referred to in Article 3 of this Directive; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the exposure limit values referred to in Article 3 of this Directive;

| (d) | any effects concerning the health and safety of workers belonging to particularly sensitive risk groups; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

any effects concerning the health and safety of workers belonging to particularly sensitive risk groups;

| (e) | any possible effects on workers' health and safety resulting from workplace interactions between optical radiation and photosensitising chemical substances; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

any possible effects on workers' health and safety resulting from workplace interactions between optical radiation and photosensitising chemical substances;

| (f) | any indirect effects such as temporary blinding, explosion or fire; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

any indirect effects such as temporary blinding, explosion or fire;

| (g) | the existence of replacement equipment designed to reduce the levels of exposure to optical radiation; |
| --- | --- |

(g)

the existence of replacement equipment designed to reduce the levels of exposure to optical radiation;

| (h) | appropriate information obtained from health surveillance, including published information, as far as possible; |
| --- | --- |

(h)

appropriate information obtained from health surveillance, including published information, as far as possible;

| (i) | multiple sources of exposure to optical radiation; |
| --- | --- |

(i)

multiple sources of exposure to optical radiation;

| (j) | a classification applied to a laser as defined in accordance with the relevant IEC standard and, in relation to any artificial source likely to cause damage similar to that of a laser of class 3B or 4, any similar classification; |
| --- | --- |

(j)

a classification applied to a laser as defined in accordance with the relevant IEC standard and, in relation to any artificial source likely to cause damage similar to that of a laser of class 3B or 4, any similar classification;

| (k) | information provided by the manufacturers of optical radiation sources and associated work equipment in accordance with the relevant Community Directives. |
| --- | --- |

(k)

information provided by the manufacturers of optical radiation sources and associated work equipment in accordance with the relevant Community Directives.

5.   The employer shall be in possession of an assessment of the risk in accordance with Article 9(1)(a) of Directive 89/391/EEC and shall identify which measures must be taken in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of this Directive. The risk assessment shall be recorded on a suitable medium, according to national law and practice; it may include a justification by the employer that the nature and extent of the risks related to optical radiation make a further, detailed risk assessment unnecessary. The risk assessment shall be updated on a regular basis, particularly if there have been significant changes which could render it out of date, or if the results of health surveillance show it to be necessary.

Article 5

Provisions aimed at avoiding or reducing risks

1.   Taking account of technical progress and of the availability of measures to control the risk at source, the risks arising from exposure to optical radiation shall be eliminated or reduced to a minimum.

The reduction of risks arising from exposure to optical radiation shall be based on the general principles of prevention set out in Directive 89/391/EEC.

2.   Where the risk assessment carried out in accordance with Article 4(1) for workers exposed to artificial sources of optical radiation indicates that the exposure limit values may be exceeded, the employer shall devise and implement an action plan comprising technical and/or organisational measures taking into account in particular:

| (a) | other working methods that reduce the risk from optical radiation; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

other working methods that reduce the risk from optical radiation;

| (b) | the choice of equipment emitting less optical radiation, taking account of the work to be done; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the choice of equipment emitting less optical radiation, taking account of the work to be done;

| (c) | technical measures to reduce the emission of optical radiation including, where necessary, the use of interlocks, shielding or similar health protection mechanisms; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

technical measures to reduce the emission of optical radiation including, where necessary, the use of interlocks, shielding or similar health protection mechanisms;

| (d) | appropriate maintenance programmes for work equipment, workplaces and workstation systems; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

appropriate maintenance programmes for work equipment, workplaces and workstation systems;

| (e) | the design and layout of workplaces and workstations; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the design and layout of workplaces and workstations;

| (f) | limitation of the duration and level of the exposure; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

limitation of the duration and level of the exposure;

| (g) | the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment; |
| --- | --- |

(g)

the availability of appropriate personal protective equipment;

| (h) | the instructions of the manufacturer of the equipment where it is covered by relevant Community Directives. |
| --- | --- |

(h)

the instructions of the manufacturer of the equipment where it is covered by relevant Community Directives.

3.   Where the risk assessment carried out in accordance with Article 4(2) indicates a risk for workers exposed to natural sources of optical radiation, the employer shall devise and implement an action plan comprising technical and/or organisational measures in order to reduce the health and safety risks to a minimum.

4.   On the basis of the risk assessment carried out in accordance with Article 4, workplaces where workers could be exposed to levels of optical radiation from artificial sources exceeding the exposure limit values shall be indicated by appropriate signs in accordance with Council Directive 92/58/EEC of 24 June 1992 on the minimum requirements for the provision of safety and/or health signs at work (9th individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (11). The areas in question shall be identified, and access to them limited where this is technically possible and where there is a risk that the exposure limit values could be exceeded.

5.   If, despite the measures taken by the employer to comply with this Directive in respect of artificial sources of optical radiation, the exposure limit values are exceeded, the employer shall take immediate action to reduce exposure below the exposure limit values. The employer shall identify the reasons why the exposure limit values have been exceeded and shall adapt the protection and prevention measures accordingly in order to prevent them being exceeded again. In any event, workers shall not be exposed above the exposure limit values.

6.   Pursuant to Article 15 of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer shall adapt the measures referred to in this Article to the requirements of workers belonging to particularly sensitive risk groups.

Article 6

Worker information and training

Without prejudice to Articles 10 and 12 of Directive 89/391/EEC, the employer shall ensure that workers who are exposed to risks from optical radiation at work and/or their representatives receive any necessary information and training relating to the outcome of the risk assessment provided for in Article 4 of this Directive, concerning in particular:

| (a) | measures taken to implement this Directive; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

measures taken to implement this Directive;

| (b) | the exposure limit values and the associated potential risks; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the exposure limit values and the associated potential risks;

| (c) | the results of the assessment, measurement and/or calculations of the levels of exposure to optical radiation carried out in accordance with Article 4 of this Directive together with an explanation of their significance and potential risks; |
| --- | --- |

(c)

the results of the assessment, measurement and/or calculations of the levels of exposure to optical radiation carried out in accordance with Article 4 of this Directive together with an explanation of their significance and potential risks;

| (d) | how to detect adverse health effects of exposure and how to report them; |
| --- | --- |

(d)

how to detect adverse health effects of exposure and how to report them;

| (e) | the circumstances in which workers are entitled to health surveillance; |
| --- | --- |

(e)

the circumstances in which workers are entitled to health surveillance;

| (f) | safe working practices to minimise risks from exposure; |
| --- | --- |

(f)

safe working practices to minimise risks from exposure;

| (g) | proper use of appropriate personal protective equipment. |
| --- | --- |

(g)

proper use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Article 7

Consultation and participation of workers

Consultation and participation of workers and/or of their representatives shall take place in accordance with Article 11 of Directive 89/391/EEC on the matters covered by this Directive.

SECTION III

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Article 8

Health surveillance

1.   Without prejudice to Article 14 of Directive 89/391/EEC, Member States shall adopt provisions to ensure the appropriate health surveillance of workers where the outcome of the risk assessment provided for in Article 4 of this Directive indicates a significant risk to their health. Those provisions, including the requirements specified for health records and their availability, shall be introduced in accordance with national law and/or practice.

2.   Member States shall establish arrangements to ensure that, for each worker who undergoes health surveillance in accordance with paragraph 1, individual health records are made and kept up to date. Health records shall contain a summary of the results of the health surveillance carried out. They shall be kept in a suitable form so as to permit consultation at a later date, taking into account any confidentiality. Copies of the appropriate records shall be supplied to the competent authority on request, taking into account any confidentiality. Individual workers shall, at their request, have access to their own personal health records.

3.   Where, as a result of health surveillance, a worker is found to have an identifiable disease or adverse health effect which is considered by a doctor or occupational health-care professional to be the result of exposure to optical radiation at work:

| (a) | the worker shall be informed by the doctor or other suitably qualified person of the result which relates to him personally. He shall, in particular, receive information and advice regarding any health surveillance which he should undergo following the end of exposure; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the worker shall be informed by the doctor or other suitably qualified person of the result which relates to him personally. He shall, in particular, receive information and advice regarding any health surveillance which he should undergo following the end of exposure;

| (b) | the employer shall be informed of any significant findings of the health surveillance, taking into account any medical confidentiality; |
| --- | --- |

(b)

the employer shall be informed of any significant findings of the health surveillance, taking into account any medical confidentiality;

| (c) | the employer shall:






  — | review the risk assessment carried out pursuant to Article 4, |
| --- | --- | --- |

(c)

the employer shall:

—

review the risk assessment carried out pursuant to Article 4,

| — | review the measures provided for to eliminate or reduce risks pursuant to Article 5, |
| --- | --- |

—

review the measures provided for to eliminate or reduce risks pursuant to Article 5,

| — | take into account the advice of the occupational health-care professional or other suitably qualified person or the competent authority in implementing any measure required to eliminate or reduce risk in accordance with Article 5, including the possibility of assigning the worker to alternative work which carries no risk of exposure exceeding the appropriate exposure limit value, and |
| --- | --- |

—

take into account the advice of the occupational health-care professional or other suitably qualified person or the competent authority in implementing any measure required to eliminate or reduce risk in accordance with Article 5, including the possibility of assigning the worker to alternative work which carries no risk of exposure exceeding the appropriate exposure limit value, and

| — | arrange continued health surveillance and provide for a review of the health status of any other worker who has been similarly exposed. In such cases, the competent doctor or occupational health care professional or the competent authority may propose that the exposed persons undergo a medical examination. |
| --- | --- |

—

arrange continued health surveillance and provide for a review of the health status of any other worker who has been similarly exposed. In such cases, the competent doctor or occupational health care professional or the competent authority may propose that the exposed persons undergo a medical examination.

Article 9

Penalties

Member States shall provide for adequate penalties to be applicable in the event of infringement of the national legislation adopted pursuant to this Directive. These penalties must be effective, proportionate and dissuasive.

Article 10

Technical amendments

1.   Any modification of the exposure limit values set out in the Annexes shall be adopted by the European Parliament and the Council in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 137(2) of the Treaty.

2.   Amendments to the Annexes of a strictly technical nature in line with:

| (a) | the adoption of directives in the field of technical harmonisation and standardisation with regard to the design, building, manufacture or construction of work equipment and/or workplaces; |
| --- | --- |

(a)

the adoption of directives in the field of technical harmonisation and standardisation with regard to the design, building, manufacture or construction of work equipment and/or workplaces;

| (b) | technical progress, changes in the most relevant harmonised European standards or international specifications, and new scientific findings concerning occupational exposure to optical radiation, |
| --- | --- |

(b)

technical progress, changes in the most relevant harmonised European standards or international specifications, and new scientific findings concerning occupational exposure to optical radiation,

shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11(2).

Article 11

Committee

1.   The Commission shall be assisted by the Committee referred to in Article 17 of Directive 89/391/EEC.

2.   Where reference is made to this paragraph, Articles 5 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply, having regard to the provisions of Article 8 thereof.

The period laid down in Article 5(6) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be set at three months.

3.   The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.

SECTION IV

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 12

Reports

Every five years Member States shall provide the Commission with a report on the practical implementation of this Directive, indicating the points of view of the social partners.

Every five years the Commission shall inform the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work of the content of these reports, of its assessment of developments in the field in question and of any action that may be warranted in the light of new scientific knowledge.

Article 13

Transposition

1.   Member States shall bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive by ... (12). They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.

When Member States adopt these measures, they shall contain a reference to this Directive or shall be accompanied by such reference on the occasion of their official publication. The methods of making such reference shall be laid down by Member States.

2.   Member States shall communicate to the Commission the text of the provisions of national law which they adopt or have already adopted in the field covered by this Directive.

Article 14

Entry into force

This Directive shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

Article 15

Addressees

This Directive is addressed to the Member States.

Done at ...

For the European Parliament

The President

...

For the Council

The President

...

---

(1)  OJ C 77, 18.3.1993, p. 12 and OJ C 230, 19.8.1994, p. 3.

1

(2)  OJ C 249, 13.9.1993, p. 28.

2

(3)  Opinion of the European Parliament of 20 April 1994 (OJ C 128, 9.5.1994, p. 146) confirmed on 16 September 1999 (OJ C 54, 25.2.2000, p. 75), Council Common Position of 18 April 2005 and Position of the European Parliament of ... (not yet published in the Official Journal).

3

(4)  OJ C 260, 15.10.1990, p. 167.

4

(5)  OJ L 177, 6.7.2002, p. 13.

5

(6)  OJ L 42, 15.2.2003, p. 38.

6

(7)  OJ L 159, 30.4.2004, p. 1, as corrected in OJ L 184, 24.5.2004, p. 1.

7

(8)  OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1. Directive as amended by Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003 of the European Parliament and the Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).

8

(9)  OJ L 184, 17.7.1999, p. 23.

9

(10)  OJ C 321, 31.12.2003, p. 1.

10

(11)  OJ L 245, 26.8.1992, p. 23.

11

(12)  Four years after the entry into force of this Directive.

12

---

ANNEX I

NON-COHERENT OPTICAL RADIATION

The biophysically relevant exposure values to optical radiation can be determined with the formulae below. The formulae to be used depend on the range of radiation emitted by the source and the results should be compared with the corresponding exposure limit values indicated in table 1.1. More than one exposure value and corresponding exposure limit can be relevant for a given source of optical radiation.

Numbering (a) to (o) refers to corresponding rows of table 1.1.

| (a) | | (Heff is only relevant in the range 180 to 400 nm) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| (b) | | (HUVA is only relevant in the range 315 to 400 nm) |
| (c), (d) | | (LB is only relevant in the range 300 to 700 nm) |
| (e), (f) | | (EB is only relevant in the range 300 to 700 nm) |
| (g) to (l) | | (See table 1.1 for appropriate values of λ1 and λ2) |
| (m), (n) | | (EIR is only relevant in the range 780 to 3 000 nm) |
| (o) | | (Hskin is only relevant in the range 380 to 3 000 nm) |

(a)

Formula

(Heff is only relevant in the range 180 to 400 nm)

(b)

Formula

(HUVA is only relevant in the range 315 to 400 nm)

(c), (d)

Formula

(LB is only relevant in the range 300 to 700 nm)

(e), (f)

Formula

(EB is only relevant in the range 300 to 700 nm)

(g) to (l)

Formula

(See table 1.1 for appropriate values of λ1 and λ2)

(m), (n)

Formula

(EIR is only relevant in the range 780 to 3 000 nm)

(o)

Formula

(Hskin is only relevant in the range 380 to 3 000 nm)

For the purposes of this Directive, the formulae above can be replaced by the following expressions and the use of discrete values as set out in the following tables:

| (a) | | and Heff = Eeff · Δt |
| --- | --- | --- |
| (b) | | and HUVA = EUVA · Δt |
| (c), (d) | | |
| (e), (f) | | |
| (g) to (l) | | (See table 1.1 for appropriate values of λ1 and λ2) |
| (m), (n) | | |
| (o) | | and Hskin = Eskin·Δt |

(a)

Formula

and Heff = Eeff · Δt

(b)

Formula

and HUVA = EUVA · Δt

(c), (d)

Formula

(e), (f)

Formula

(g) to (l)

Formula

(See table 1.1 for appropriate values of λ1 and λ2)

(m), (n)

Formula

(o)

Formula

and Hskin = Eskin·Δt

Notes:

| Eλ (λ,t), Eλ | spectral irradiance or spectral power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface, expressed in watts per square metre per nanometre [W m-2 nm-1]; values of Eλ (λ,t) and Eλλ come from measurements or may be provided by the manufacturer of the equipment; |
| --- | --- |
| Eeff | effective irradiance (UV range): calculated irradiance within the UV wavelength range 180 to 400 nm spectrally weighted by S (λ), expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2]; |
| H | radiant exposure, the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2]; |
| Heff | effective radiant exposure: radiant exposure spectrally weighted by S (λ), expressed in joules per square metre [J m- 2]; |
| EUVA | total irradiance (UVA): calculated irradiance within the UVA wavelength range 315 to 400 nm, expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2]; |
| HUVA | radiant exposure, the time and wavelength integral or sum of the irradiance within the UVA wavelength range 315 to 400 nm, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2]; |
| S (λ) | spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the health effects of UV radiation on eye and skin, (table 1.2) [dimensionless]; |
| t, Δt | time, duration of the exposure, expressed in seconds [s]; |
| λ | wavelength, expressed in nanometres [nm]; |
| Δ λ | bandwidth, expressed in nanometres [nm], of the calculation or measurement intervals |
| Lλ (λ), Lλ | spectral radiance of the source expressed in watts per square metre per steradian per nanometre [W m- 2 sr–1 nm-1]; |
| R (λ) | spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the thermal injury caused to the eye by visible and IRA radiation (table 1.3) [dimensionless]; |
| LR | effective radiance (thermal injury): calculated radiance spectrally weighted by R (λ) expressed in watts per square metre per steradian [W m- 2 sr –1]; |
| B (λ) | spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the photochemical injury caused to the eye by blue light radiation (table 1.3) [dimensionless]; |
| LB | effective radiance (blue light): calculated radiance spectrally weighted by B (λ), expressed in watts per square metre per steradian [W m- 2 sr –1]; |
| EB | effective irradiance (blue light): calculated irradiance spectrally weighted by B (λ) expressed in watts per square metre [W m- 2]; |
| EIR | total irradiance (thermal injury): calculated irradiance within the infrared wavelength range 780 nm to 3 000 nm expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2]; |
| Eskin | total irradiance (visible, IRA and IRB): calculated irradiance within the visible and infrared wavelength range 380 nm to 3 000 nm, expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2]; |
| Hskin | radiant exposure, the time and wavelength integral or sum of the irradiance within the visible and infrared wavelength range 380 to 3 000 nm, expressed in joules per square metre (J m-2); |
| α | angular subtense: the angle subtended by an apparent source, as viewed at a point in space, expressed in milliradians (mrad). Apparent source is the real or virtual object that forms the smallest possible retinal image. |

Eλ (λ,t), Eλ

spectral irradiance or spectral power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface, expressed in watts per square metre per nanometre [W m-2 nm-1]; values of Eλ (λ,t) and Eλλ come from measurements or may be provided by the manufacturer of the equipment;

Eeff

effective irradiance (UV range): calculated irradiance within the UV wavelength range 180 to 400 nm spectrally weighted by S (λ), expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];

H

radiant exposure, the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2];

Heff

effective radiant exposure: radiant exposure spectrally weighted by S (λ), expressed in joules per square metre [J m- 2];

EUVA

total irradiance (UVA): calculated irradiance within the UVA wavelength range 315 to 400 nm, expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];

HUVA

radiant exposure, the time and wavelength integral or sum of the irradiance within the UVA wavelength range 315 to 400 nm, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2];

S (λ)

spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the health effects of UV radiation on eye and skin, (table 1.2) [dimensionless];

t, Δt

time, duration of the exposure, expressed in seconds [s];

λ

wavelength, expressed in nanometres [nm];

Δ λ

bandwidth, expressed in nanometres [nm], of the calculation or measurement intervals

Lλ (λ), Lλ

spectral radiance of the source expressed in watts per square metre per steradian per nanometre [W m- 2 sr–1 nm-1];

R (λ)

spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the thermal injury caused to the eye by visible and IRA radiation (table 1.3) [dimensionless];

LR

effective radiance (thermal injury): calculated radiance spectrally weighted by R (λ) expressed in watts per square metre per steradian [W m- 2 sr –1];

B (λ)

spectral weighting taking into account the wavelength dependence of the photochemical injury caused to the eye by blue light radiation (table 1.3) [dimensionless];

LB

effective radiance (blue light): calculated radiance spectrally weighted by B (λ), expressed in watts per square metre per steradian [W m- 2 sr –1];

EB

effective irradiance (blue light): calculated irradiance spectrally weighted by B (λ) expressed in watts per square metre [W m- 2];

EIR

total irradiance (thermal injury): calculated irradiance within the infrared wavelength range 780 nm to 3 000 nm expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];

Eskin

total irradiance (visible, IRA and IRB): calculated irradiance within the visible and infrared wavelength range 380 nm to 3 000 nm, expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2];

Hskin

radiant exposure, the time and wavelength integral or sum of the irradiance within the visible and infrared wavelength range 380 to 3 000 nm, expressed in joules per square metre (J m-2);

α

angular subtense: the angle subtended by an apparent source, as viewed at a point in space, expressed in milliradians (mrad). Apparent source is the real or virtual object that forms the smallest possible retinal image.

Table 1.1

Exposure limit values for non-coherent optical radiation

| Index | Wavelength nm | Exposure limit value | Units | Comment | Part of the body | Hazard |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| a. | 180-400
  (UVA, UVB and UVC) | Heff = 30
  Daily value 8 hours | [J m-2] | | eye | cornea
  conjunctiva
  lensskin |

Index

Wavelength nm

Exposure limit value

Units

Comment

Part of the body

Hazard

a.

180-400

(UVA, UVB and UVC)

Heff = 30

Daily value 8 hours

[J m-2]

eye

cornea

conjunctiva

lensskin

photokeratitis

conjunctivitis

cataractogenesis

erythema

elastosis

skin cancer

b.

315-400

(UVA)

HUVA = 104

Daily value 8 hours

[J m-2]

| eye | lens |
| --- | --- |

eye

lens

cataractogenesis

c.

300-700

(Blue light)

see note
  1

Formula

LB: [W m-2 sr-1]

t: [seconds]

for α ≥ 11 mrad

| eye | retina |
| --- | --- |

eye

retina

photoretinitis

for t ≤ 10 000 s

d.

300-700

(Blue light)

see note 1

LB = 100

for t > 10 000 s

[W m-2 sr-1]

e.

300-700

(Blue light)

see note 1

Formula

EB: [W m-2]

t: [seconds]

for α < 11 mrad

see note 2

for t ≤ 10 000 s

f.

300-700

(Blue light)

see note 1

EB = 0,01

t >10 000 s

[W m-2]

g.

380-1 400

(Visible and IRA)

Formula

[W m-2 sr-1]

Cα = 1,7 for

α ≤ 1,7 mrad

Cα = α for

1,7 ≤ α ≤ 100 mrad

Cα = 100 for

α > 100 mrad

λ1= 380; λ2= 1400

| eye | retina |
| --- | --- |

eye

retina

retinal burn

for t >10 s

h.

380-1 400

(Visible and IRA)

Formula

LR: [W m-2 sr-1]

t: [seconds]

for 10 μs ≤ t ≤ 10 s

i.

380-1 400

(Visible and IRA)

Formula

[W m-2 sr-1]

for t <10 μs

j.

780-1 400

(IRA)

Formula

[W m-2 sr-1]

Cα = 11 for

α ≤ 11 mrad

Cα = α for

11≤ α ≤ 100 mrad

Cα = 100 for

α > 100 mrad

(measurement field-of-view: 11 mrad)

λ1= 780; λ2= 1 400

| eye | retina |
| --- | --- |

eye

retina

retinal burn

for t > 10 s

k.

780-1 400

(IRA)

Formula

LR: [W m-2 sr-1]

t: [seconds]

for 10 μs ≤ t ≤ 10 s

l.

780-1 400

(IRA)

Formula

[W m-2 sr-1]

for t < 10 μs

m.

780-3 000

(IRA and IRB)

EIR = 18 000 t-0,75

for t ≤ 1 000 s

E: [Wm-2]

t: [seconds]

| eye | cornea
  lens |
| --- | --- |

eye

cornea

lens

corneal burn

cataractogenesis

n.

780-3 000

(IRA and IRB)

EIR = 100

for t > 1 000 s

[W m-2]

o.

380-3 000

(Visible, IRA and IRB)

Hskin = 20 000 t0,25

for t < 10 s

H: [J m-2]

t: [seconds]

skin

burn

Note 1: The range of 300 to 700 nm covers parts of UVB, all UVA and most of visible radiation; however, the associated hazard is commonly referred to as ‘blue light’ hazard. Blue light strictly speaking covers only the range of approximately 400 to 490 nm.

Note 2: For steady fixation of very small sources with an angular subtense < 11mrad, LB can be converted to EB. This normally applies only for ophthalmic instruments or a stabilized eye during anaesthesia. The maximum ‘stare time’ is found by: tmax = 100/EB with EB expressed in W m-2. Due to eye movements during normal visual tasks this does not exceed 100s.

Table 1.2

S (λ) [dimensionless], 180 nm to 400 nm

| λ in nm | S (λ) |
| --- | --- |
| 180 | 0,0120 |
| 181 | 0,0126 |
| 182 | 0,0132 |
| 183 | 0,0138 |
| 184 | 0,0144 |
| 185 | 0,0151 |
| 186 | 0,0158 |
| 187 | 0,0166 |
| 188 | 0,0173 |
| 189 | 0,0181 |
| 190 | 0,0190 |
| 191 | 0,0199 |
| 192 | 0,0208 |
| 193 | 0,0218 |
| 194 | 0,0228 |
| 195 | 0,0239 |
| 196 | 0,0250 |
| 197 | 0,0262 |
| 198 | 0,0274 |
| 199 | 0,0287 |
| 200 | 0,0300 |
| 201 | 0,0334 |
| 202 | 0,0371 |
| 203 | 0,0412 |
| 204 | 0,0459 |
| 205 | 0,0510 |
| 206 | 0,0551 |
| 207 | 0,0595 |
| 208 | 0,0643 |
| 209 | 0,0694 |
| 210 | 0,0750 |
| 211 | 0,0786 |
| 212 | 0,0824 |
| 213 | 0,0864 |
| 214 | 0,0906 |
| 215 | 0,0950 |
| 216 | 0,0995 |
| 217 | 0,1043 |
| 218 | 0,1093 |
| 219 | 0,1145 |
| 220 | 0,1200 |
| 221 | 0,1257 |
| 222 | 0,1316 |
| 223 | 0,1378 |
| 224 | 0,1444 |
| 225 | 0,1500 |
| 226 | 0,1583 |
| 227 | 0,1658 |
| 228 | 0,1737 |
| 229 | 0,1819 |
| 230 | 0,1900 |
| 231 | 0,1995 |
| 232 | 0,2089 |
| 233 | 0,2188 |
| 234 | 0,2292 |
| 235 | 0,2400 |
| 236 | 0,2510 |
| 237 | 0,2624 |
| 238 | 0,2744 |
| 239 | 0,2869 |
| 240 | 0,3000 |
| 241 | 0,3111 |
| 242 | 0,3227 |
| 243 | 0,3347 |
| 244 | 0,3471 |
| 245 | 0,3600 |
| 246 | 0,3730 |
| 247 | 0,3865 |
| 248 | 0,4005 |
| 249 | 0,4150 |
| 250 | 0,4300 |
| 251 | 0,4465 |
| 252 | 0,4637 |
| 253 | 0,4815 |
| 254 | 0,5000 |
| 255 | 0,5200 |
| 256 | 0,5437 |
| 257 | 0,5685 |
| 258 | 0,5945 |
| 259 | 0,6216 |
| 260 | 0,6500 |
| 261 | 0,6792 |
| 262 | 0,7098 |
| 263 | 0,7417 |
| 264 | 0,7751 |
| 265 | 0,8100 |
| 266 | 0,8449 |
| 267 | 0,8812 |
| 268 | 0,9192 |
| 269 | 0,9587 |
| 270 | 1,0000 |
| 271 | 0,9919 |
| 272 | 0,9838 |
| 273 | 0,9758 |
| 274 | 0,9679 |
| 275 | 0,9600 |
| 276 | 0,9434 |
| 277 | 0,9272 |
| 278 | 0,9112 |
| 279 | 0,8954 |
| 280 | 0,8800 |
| 281 | 0,8568 |
| 282 | 0,8342 |
| 283 | 0,8122 |
| 284 | 0,7908 |
| 285 | 0,7700 |
| 286 | 0,7420 |
| 287 | 0,7151 |
| 288 | 0,6891 |
| 289 | 0,6641 |
| 290 | 0,6400 |
| 291 | 0,6186 |
| 292 | 0,5980 |
| 293 | 0,5780 |
| 294 | 0,5587 |
| 295 | 0,5400 |
| 296 | 0,4984 |
| 297 | 0,4600 |
| 298 | 0,3989 |
| 299 | 0,3459 |
| 300 | 0,3000 |
| 301 | 0,2210 |
| 302 | 0,1629 |
| 303 | 0,1200 |
| 304 | 0,0849 |
| 305 | 0,0600 |
| 306 | 0,0454 |
| 307 | 0,0344 |
| 308 | 0,0260 |
| 309 | 0,0197 |
| 310 | 0,0150 |
| 311 | 0,0111 |
| 312 | 0,0081 |
| 313 | 0,0060 |
| 314 | 0,0042 |
| 315 | 0,0030 |
| 316 | 0,0024 |
| 317 | 0,0020 |
| 318 | 0,0016 |
| 319 | 0,0012 |
| 320 | 0,0010 |
| 321 | 0,000819 |
| 322 | 0,000670 |
| 323 | 0,000540 |
| 324 | 0,000520 |
| 325 | 0,000500 |
| 326 | 0,000479 |
| 327 | 0,000459 |
| 328 | 0,000440 |
| 329 | 0,000425 |
| 330 | 0,000410 |
| 331 | 0,000396 |
| 332 | 0,000383 |
| 333 | 0,000370 |
| 334 | 0,000355 |
| 335 | 0,000340 |
| 336 | 0,000327 |
| 337 | 0,000315 |
| 338 | 0,000303 |
| 339 | 0,000291 |
| 340 | 0,000280 |
| 341 | 0,000271 |
| 342 | 0,000263 |
| 343 | 0,000255 |
| 344 | 0,000248 |
| 345 | 0,000240 |
| 346 | 0,000231 |
| 347 | 0,000223 |
| 348 | 0,000215 |
| 349 | 0,000207 |
| 350 | 0,000200 |
| 351 | 0,000191 |
| 352 | 0,000183 |
| 353 | 0,000175 |
| 354 | 0,000167 |
| 355 | 0,000160 |
| 356 | 0,000153 |
| 357 | 0,000147 |
| 358 | 0,000141 |
| 359 | 0,000136 |
| 360 | 0,000130 |
| 361 | 0,000126 |
| 362 | 0,000122 |
| 363 | 0,000118 |
| 364 | 0,000114 |
| 365 | 0,000110 |
| 366 | 0,000106 |
| 367 | 0,000103 |
| 368 | 0,000099 |
| 369 | 0,000096 |
| 370 | 0,000093 |
| 371 | 0,000090 |
| 372 | 0,000086 |
| 373 | 0,000083 |
| 374 | 0,000080 |
| 375 | 0,000077 |
| 376 | 0,000074 |
| 377 | 0,000072 |
| 378 | 0,000069 |
| 379 | 0,000066 |
| 380 | 0,000064 |
| 381 | 0,000062 |
| 382 | 0,000059 |
| 383 | 0,000057 |
| 384 | 0,000055 |
| 385 | 0,000053 |
| 386 | 0,000051 |
| 387 | 0,000049 |
| 388 | 0,000047 |
| 389 | 0,000046 |
| 390 | 0,000044 |
| 391 | 0,000042 |
| 392 | 0,000041 |
| 393 | 0,000039 |
| 394 | 0,000037 |
| 395 | 0,000036 |
| 396 | 0,000035 |
| 397 | 0,000033 |
| 398 | 0,000032 |
| 399 | 0,000031 |
| 400 | 0,000030 |

λ in nm

S (λ)

180

0,0120

181

0,0126

182

0,0132

183

0,0138

184

0,0144

185

0,0151

186

0,0158

187

0,0166

188

0,0173

189

0,0181

190

0,0190

191

0,0199

192

0,0208

193

0,0218

194

0,0228

195

0,0239

196

0,0250

197

0,0262

198

0,0274

199

0,0287

200

0,0300

201

0,0334

202

0,0371

203

0,0412

204

0,0459

205

0,0510

206

0,0551

207

0,0595

208

0,0643

209

0,0694

210

0,0750

211

0,0786

212

0,0824

213

0,0864

214

0,0906

215

0,0950

216

0,0995

217

0,1043

218

0,1093

219

0,1145

220

0,1200

221

0,1257

222

0,1316

223

0,1378

224

0,1444

225

0,1500

226

0,1583

227

0,1658

228

0,1737

229

0,1819

230

0,1900

231

0,1995

232

0,2089

233

0,2188

234

0,2292

235

0,2400

236

0,2510

237

0,2624

238

0,2744

239

0,2869

240

0,3000

241

0,3111

242

0,3227

243

0,3347

244

0,3471

245

0,3600

246

0,3730

247

0,3865

248

0,4005

249

0,4150

250

0,4300

251

0,4465

252

0,4637

253

0,4815

254

0,5000

255

0,5200

256

0,5437

257

0,5685

258

0,5945

259

0,6216

260

0,6500

261

0,6792

262

0,7098

263

0,7417

264

0,7751

265

0,8100

266

0,8449

267

0,8812

268

0,9192

269

0,9587

270

1,0000

271

0,9919

272

0,9838

273

0,9758

274

0,9679

275

0,9600

276

0,9434

277

0,9272

278

0,9112

279

0,8954

280

0,8800

281

0,8568

282

0,8342

283

0,8122

284

0,7908

285

0,7700

286

0,7420

287

0,7151

288

0,6891

289

0,6641

290

0,6400

291

0,6186

292

0,5980

293

0,5780

294

0,5587

295

0,5400

296

0,4984

297

0,4600

298

0,3989

299

0,3459

300

0,3000

301

0,2210

302

0,1629

303

0,1200

304

0,0849

305

0,0600

306

0,0454

307

0,0344

308

0,0260

309

0,0197

310

0,0150

311

0,0111

312

0,0081

313

0,0060

314

0,0042

315

0,0030

316

0,0024

317

0,0020

318

0,0016

319

0,0012

320

0,0010

321

0,000819

322

0,000670

323

0,000540

324

0,000520

325

0,000500

326

0,000479

327

0,000459

328

0,000440

329

0,000425

330

0,000410

331

0,000396

332

0,000383

333

0,000370

334

0,000355

335

0,000340

336

0,000327

337

0,000315

338

0,000303

339

0,000291

340

0,000280

341

0,000271

342

0,000263

343

0,000255

344

0,000248

345

0,000240

346

0,000231

347

0,000223

348

0,000215

349

0,000207

350

0,000200

351

0,000191

352

0,000183

353

0,000175

354

0,000167

355

0,000160

356

0,000153

357

0,000147

358

0,000141

359

0,000136

360

0,000130

361

0,000126

362

0,000122

363

0,000118

364

0,000114

365

0,000110

366

0,000106

367

0,000103

368

0,000099

369

0,000096

370

0,000093

371

0,000090

372

0,000086

373

0,000083

374

0,000080

375

0,000077

376

0,000074

377

0,000072

378

0,000069

379

0,000066

380

0,000064

381

0,000062

382

0,000059

383

0,000057

384

0,000055

385

0,000053

386

0,000051

387

0,000049

388

0,000047

389

0,000046

390

0,000044

391

0,000042

392

0,000041

393

0,000039

394

0,000037

395

0,000036

396

0,000035

397

0,000033

398

0,000032

399

0,000031

400

0,000030

Table 1.3

B (λ), R (λ) [dimensionless], 380 nm to 1 400 nm

| λ in nm | B(λ) | R (λ) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 300 ≤ λ < 380 | 0,01 | — |
| 380 | 0,01 | 0,1 |
| 385 | 0,013 | 0,13 |
| 390 | 0,025 | 0,25 |
| 395 | 0,05 | 0,5 |
| 400 | 0,1 | 1 |
| 405 | 0,2 | 2 |
| 410 | 0,4 | 4 |
| 415 | 0,8 | 8 |
| 420 | 0,9 | 9 |
| 425 | 0,95 | 9,5 |
| 430 | 0,98 | 9,8 |
| 435 | 1 | 10 |
| 440 | 1 | 10 |
| 445 | 0,97 | 9,7 |
| 450 | 0,94 | 9,4 |
| 455 | 0,9 | 9 |
| 460 | 0,8 | 8 |
| 465 | 0,7 | 7 |
| 470 | 0,62 | 6,2 |
| 475 | 0,55 | 5,5 |
| 480 | 0,45 | 4,5 |
| 485 | 0,32 | 3,2 |
| 490 | 0,22 | 2,2 |
| 495 | 0,16 | 1,6 |
| 500 | 0,1 | 1 |
| 500 < λ ≤ 600 | 100,02·(450 - λ) | 1 |
| 600 < λ ≤ 700 | 0,001 | 1 |
| 700 < λ ≤ 1 050 | — | 100,002·(700 - λ) |
| 1 050 < λ ≤ 1 150 | — | 0,2 |
| 1 150 < λ ≤ 1 200 | — | 0,2 · 100,02·(1 150 - λ) |
| 1 200 < λ ≤ 1 400 | — | 0,02 |

λ in nm

B(λ)

R (λ)

300 ≤ λ < 380

0,01

—

380

0,01

0,1

385

0,013

0,13

390

0,025

0,25

395

0,05

0,5

400

0,1

1

405

0,2

2

410

0,4

4

415

0,8

8

420

0,9

9

425

0,95

9,5

430

0,98

9,8

435

1

10

440

1

10

445

0,97

9,7

450

0,94

9,4

455

0,9

9

460

0,8

8

465

0,7

7

470

0,62

6,2

475

0,55

5,5

480

0,45

4,5

485

0,32

3,2

490

0,22

2,2

495

0,16

1,6

500

0,1

1

500 < λ ≤ 600

100,02·(450 - λ)

1

600 < λ ≤ 700

0,001

1

700 < λ ≤ 1 050

—

100,002·(700 - λ)

1 050 < λ ≤ 1 150

—

0,2

1 150 < λ ≤ 1 200

—

0,2 · 100,02·(1 150 - λ)

1 200 < λ ≤ 1 400

—

0,02

---

ANNEX II

LASER OPTICAL RADIATION

The biophysically relevant exposure values to optical radiation can be determined with the formulae below. The formulae to be used depend on the wavelength and duration of radiation emitted by the source and the results should be compared with the corresponding exposure limit values indicated in the tables 2.2 to 2.4. More than one exposure value and corresponding exposure limit can be relevant for a given source of laser optical radiation.

Coefficients used as calculation tools within the tables 2.2 to 2.4 are listed in table 2.5 and corrections for repetitive exposure are listed in table 2.6.

Formula

Formula

Notes:

| dP | power expressed in watt [W]; |
| --- | --- |
| dA | surface expressed in square meter [m2]; |
| E (t), E | irradiance or power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface, generally expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2]. Values of E(t), E come from measurements or may be provided by the manufacturer of the equipment; |
| H | radiant exposure, the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2]; |
| t | time, duration of the exposure, expressed in seconds [s]; |
| λ | wavelength, expressed in nanometres [nm]; |
| γ | limiting cone angle of measurement field-of-view expressed in milliradians [mrad]; |
| γm | measurement field of view expressed in milliradians [mrad]; |
| α | angular subtense of a source expressed in milliradians [mrad];

  limiting aperture: the circular area over which irradiance and radiant exposure are averaged; |
| G | integrated radiance: the integral of the radiance over a given exposure time expressed as radiant energy per unit area of a radiating surface per unit solid angle of emission, in joules per square metre per steradian [J m-2 sr -1]. |

dP

power expressed in watt [W];

dA

surface expressed in square meter [m2];

E (t), E

irradiance or power density: the radiant power incident per unit area upon a surface, generally expressed in watts per square metre [W m-2]. Values of E(t), E come from measurements or may be provided by the manufacturer of the equipment;

H

radiant exposure, the time integral of the irradiance, expressed in joules per square metre [J m-2];

t

time, duration of the exposure, expressed in seconds [s];

λ

wavelength, expressed in nanometres [nm];

γ

limiting cone angle of measurement field-of-view expressed in milliradians [mrad];

γm

measurement field of view expressed in milliradians [mrad];

α

angular subtense of a source expressed in milliradians [mrad];

limiting aperture: the circular area over which irradiance and radiant exposure are averaged;

G

integrated radiance: the integral of the radiance over a given exposure time expressed as radiant energy per unit area of a radiating surface per unit solid angle of emission, in joules per square metre per steradian [J m-2 sr -1].

Table 2.1

Radiation hazards

| Wavelength [nm]
  λ | Radiation range | Affected organ | Hazard | Exposure limit value table |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 180 to 400 | UV | eye | photochemical damage and thermal damage | 2.2, 2.3 |
| 180 to 400 | UV | skin | erythema | 2.4 |
| 400 to 700 | visible | eye | retinal damage | 2.2 |
| 400 to 600 | visible | eye | photochemical damage | 2.3 |
| 400 to 700 | visible | skin | thermal damage | 2.4 |
| 700 to 1 400 | IRA | eye | thermal damage | 2.2, 2.3 |
| 700 to 1 400 | IRA | skin | thermal damage | 2.4 |
| 1 400 to 2 600 | IRB | eye | thermal damage | 2.2 |
| 2 600 to 106 | IRC | eye | thermal damage | 2.2 |
| 1 400 to 106 | IRB, IRC | eye | thermal damage | 2.3 |
| 1 400 to 106 | IRB, IRC | skin | thermal damage | 2.4 |

Wavelength [nm]

λ

Radiation range

Affected organ

Hazard

Exposure limit value table

180 to 400

UV

eye

photochemical damage and thermal damage

2.2, 2.3

180 to 400

UV

skin

erythema

2.4

400 to 700

visible

eye

retinal damage

2.2

400 to 600

visible

eye

photochemical damage

2.3

400 to 700

visible

skin

thermal damage

2.4

700 to 1 400

IRA

eye

thermal damage

2.2, 2.3

700 to 1 400

IRA

skin

thermal damage

2.4

1 400 to 2 600

IRB

eye

thermal damage

2.2

2 600 to 106

IRC

eye

thermal damage

2.2

1 400 to 106

IRB, IRC

eye

thermal damage

2.3

1 400 to 106

IRB, IRC

skin

thermal damage

2.4

Table 2.2

Exposure limit values for laser exposure to the eye — Short exposure duration < 10 s

| Wavelength (1) [nm] | Aperture | Duration [s] |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 10-13 — 10-11 | 10-11 — 10-9 | 10-9 — 10-7 | 10-7 — 1,8 · 10-5 | 1,8 · 10-5 — 5 · 10-5 | 5 · 10-5 — 10-3 | 10-3 — 101 |
| UVC | 180-280 | 1 mm for t<0,3 s; 1,5 · t0,375 for 0,3<t<10 s | E = 3 · 1010 · [W m-2] (3) | H = 30 [J m-2] |
| UVB | 280-302 |
| 303 | H = 40 [J m-2] | if t < 2,6 · 10-9 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4) |
| 304 | H = 60 [J m-2] | if t < 1,3 · 10-8 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4) |
| 305 | H = 100 [J m-2] | if t < 1,0 · 10-7 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25[J m-2 ] (4) |
| 306 | H = 160 [J m-2] | if t < 6,7 · 10-7 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25[J m-2 ] (4) |
| 307 | H = 250 [J m-2] | if t < 4,0 · 10-6 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4) |
| 308 | H = 400 [J m-2] | if t < 2,6 · 10-5 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2] (4) |
| 309 | H = 630 [J m-2] | if t < 1,6 · 10-4 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25[J m-2 ] (4) |
| 310 | H = 103 [J m-2] | if t < 1,0 · 10-3 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4) |
| 311 | H = 1,6·103 [J m-2] | if t < 6,7 · 10-3 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4) |
| 312 | H = 2,5·103 [J m-2] | if t < 4,0 · 10-2 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4) |
| 313 | H = 4,0·103 [J m-2] | if t < 2,6 · 10-1 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4) |
| 314 | H = 6,3·103 [J m-2] | if t < 1,6 · 100then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4) |
| UVA | 315-400 | H = 5,6 ·103 t0,25 [J m-2] |
| Visible & IRA | 400-700 | 7 mm | H = 1,5·10-4CE [Jm-2] | H = 2,7·104 t0,75 CE [Jm-2] | H = 5·10-3 CE [Jm-2] | H = 18 · t0,75 CE [Jm-2] |
| 700-1 050 | H = 1,5·10-4 CA CE [Jm-2] | H=2,7·104 t0,75 CA CE [Jm-2] | H = 5·10-3 CA CE [Jm-2] | H = 18 · t0,75 CA CE [Jm-2] |
| 1 050-1 400 | H = 1,5·10-3 CC CE [Jm-2] | H =2,7·105 t0,75 CC CE [Jm-2] | H = 5·10-2 CC CE [Jm-2] | H = 90 · t0,75 CC CE [Jm-2] |
| IRB & IRC | 1 400-1 500 | (2) | E = 1012 [W m-2] (3) | H = 103 [Jm-2] | H=5,6·103 · t0,25 [Jm-2] |
| 1 500-1 800 | E = 1013 [W m-2] (3) | H = 104 [Jm-2] |
| 1 800-2 600 | E = 1012 [W m-2] (3) | H = 103 [Jm-2] | H=5,6·103 · t0,25 [Jm-2] |
| 2 600-106 | E = 1011 [W m-2] (3) | H=100 [Jm-2] | H = 5,6·103 · t0,25 [Jm-2] |

Wavelength (1) [nm]

Aperture

Duration [s]

10-13 — 10-11

10-11 — 10-9

10-9 — 10-7

10-7 — 1,8 · 10-5

1,8 · 10-5 — 5 · 10-5

5 · 10-5 — 10-3

10-3 — 101

UVC

180-280

1 mm for t<0,3 s; 1,5 · t0,375 for 0,3<t<10 s

E = 3 · 1010 · [W m-2] (3)

H = 30 [J m-2]

UVB

280-302

303

H = 40 [J m-2]

if t < 2,6 · 10-9 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4)

304

H = 60 [J m-2]

if t < 1,3 · 10-8 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4)

305

H = 100 [J m-2]

if t < 1,0 · 10-7 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25[J m-2 ] (4)

306

H = 160 [J m-2]

if t < 6,7 · 10-7 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25[J m-2 ] (4)

307

H = 250 [J m-2]

if t < 4,0 · 10-6 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4)

308

H = 400 [J m-2]

if t < 2,6 · 10-5 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2] (4)

309

H = 630 [J m-2]

if t < 1,6 · 10-4 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25[J m-2 ] (4)

310

H = 103 [J m-2]

if t < 1,0 · 10-3 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4)

311

H = 1,6·103 [J m-2]

if t < 6,7 · 10-3 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4)

312

H = 2,5·103 [J m-2]

if t < 4,0 · 10-2 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4)

313

H = 4,0·103 [J m-2]

if t < 2,6 · 10-1 then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4)

314

H = 6,3·103 [J m-2]

if t < 1,6 · 100then H = 5,6 · 103 t 0,25 [J m-2 ] (4)

UVA

315-400

H = 5,6 ·103 t0,25 [J m-2]

Visible & IRA

400-700

7 mm

H = 1,5·10-4CE [Jm-2]

H = 2,7·104 t0,75 CE [Jm-2]

H = 5·10-3 CE [Jm-2]

H = 18 · t0,75 CE [Jm-2]

700-1 050

H = 1,5·10-4 CA CE [Jm-2]

H=2,7·104 t0,75 CA CE [Jm-2]

H = 5·10-3 CA CE [Jm-2]

H = 18 · t0,75 CA CE [Jm-2]

1 050-1 400

H = 1,5·10-3 CC CE [Jm-2]

H =2,7·105 t0,75 CC CE [Jm-2]

H = 5·10-2 CC CE [Jm-2]

H = 90 · t0,75 CC CE [Jm-2]

IRB & IRC

1 400-1 500

(2)

E = 1012 [W m-2] (3)

H = 103 [Jm-2]

H=5,6·103 · t0,25 [Jm-2]

1 500-1 800

E = 1013 [W m-2] (3)

H = 104 [Jm-2]

1 800-2 600

E = 1012 [W m-2] (3)

H = 103 [Jm-2]

H=5,6·103 · t0,25 [Jm-2]

2 600-106

E = 1011 [W m-2] (3)

H=100 [Jm-2]

H = 5,6·103 · t0,25 [Jm-2]

Table 2.3

Exposure limit values for laser exposure to the eye - Long exposure duration ≥ 10 s

| Wavelength (5) [nm] | Aperture | Duration [s] |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 101 — 102 | 102 — 104 | 104 — 3 · 104 |
| UVC | 180-280 | 3,5 mm | H = 30 [J m-2] |
| UVB | 280-302 |
| 303 | H = 40 [J m-2] |
| 304 | H = 60 [J m-2] |
| 305 | H = 100 [J m-2] |
| 306 | H = 160 [J m-2] |
| 307 | H = 250 [J m-2] |
| 308 | H = 400 [J m-2] |
| 309 | H = 630 [J m-2] |
| 310 | H = 1,0 103 [J m-2] |
| 311 | H = 1,6 103 [J m-2] |
| 312 | H = 2,5 103 [J m-2] |
| 313 | H = 4,0 103 [J m-2] |
| 314 | H = 6,3 103 [J m-2] |
| UVA | 315-400 | H = 104 [J m-2] |
| Visible
  400 — 700 | 400 — 600
  Photochemical (6)

  Retinal damage | 7 mm | H = 100 CB [Jm-2]
  (γ = 11 mrad) (8) | E = 1CB [Wm-2]; (γ = 1,1 t0,5 mrad) (8) | E = 1CB [Wm-2]
  (γ = 110 mrad) (8) |
| 400 — 700
  Thermal (6)

  Retinal damage | if α < 1,5 mrad | then E = 10 [W m-2] |
| if α > 1,5 mrad and t ≤ T2 | then H = 18 CE t0,75 [J m-2] |
| if α > 1,5 mrad and t > T2 | then E = 18 CE T2-0,25 [W m-2] |

Wavelength (5) [nm]

Aperture

Duration [s]

101 — 102

102 — 104

104 — 3 · 104

UVC

180-280

3,5 mm

H = 30 [J m-2]

UVB

280-302

303

H = 40 [J m-2]

304

H = 60 [J m-2]

305

H = 100 [J m-2]

306

H = 160 [J m-2]

307

H = 250 [J m-2]

308

H = 400 [J m-2]

309

H = 630 [J m-2]

310

H = 1,0 103 [J m-2]

311

H = 1,6 103 [J m-2]

312

H = 2,5 103 [J m-2]

313

H = 4,0 103 [J m-2]

314

H = 6,3 103 [J m-2]

UVA

315-400

H = 104 [J m-2]

Visible

400 — 700

400 — 600

Photochemical (6)

Retinal damage

7 mm

H = 100 CB [Jm-2]

(γ = 11 mrad) (8)

E = 1CB [Wm-2]; (γ = 1,1 t0,5 mrad) (8)

E = 1CB [Wm-2]

(γ = 110 mrad) (8)

400 — 700

Thermal (6)

Retinal damage

if α < 1,5 mrad

then E = 10 [W m-2]

if α > 1,5 mrad and t ≤ T2

then H = 18 CE t0,75 [J m-2]

if α > 1,5 mrad and t > T2

then E = 18 CE T2-0,25 [W m-2]

IRA

700-1 400

7 mm

| if α < 1,5 mrad | then E = 10 CA CC [W m-2] |
| --- | --- |
| if α > 1,5 mrad and t ≤ T2 | then H = 18 CA CC CE t0,75 [J m-2] |
| if α > 1,5 mrad and t > T2 | then E = 18 CA CC CE T2-0,25 [W m-2] (not to exceed 1 000 W m-2) |

if α < 1,5 mrad

then E = 10 CA CC [W m-2]

if α > 1,5 mrad and t ≤ T2

then H = 18 CA CC CE t0,75 [J m-2]

if α > 1,5 mrad and t > T2

then E = 18 CA CC CE T2-0,25 [W m-2] (not to exceed 1 000 W m-2)

IRB & IRC

1 400-106

(7)

E = 1 000 [Wm-2]

Table 2.4

Exposure limit values for laser exposure of skin

| Wavelength (9) [nm] | Aperture | Duration [s] |
| --- | --- | --- |
| < 10-9 | 10-9 — 10-7 | 10-7 — 10-3 | 10-3 — 101 | 101 — 103 | 103 — 3 · 104 |
| UV
  (A, B, C) | 180-400 | 3,5 mm | E = 3 · 1010 [W m-2] | Same as Eye Exposure Limits |
| Visible
  & IRA | 400-700 | 3,5 mm | E = 2 · 1011 [W m-2] | H = 200 CA

  [J m-2] | H = 1,1 · 104 CA t 0,25

  [J m-2] | E = 2 · 103 CA [W m-2] |
| 700-1 400 | E = 2 · 1011 CA [W m-2] |
| IRB & IRC | 1 400-1 500 | E = 1012 [W m-2] | Same as Eye Exposure Limits |
| 1 500-1 800 | E = 1013 [W m-2] |
| 1 800-2 600 | E = 1012 [W m-2] |
| 2 600-106 | E = 1011 [W m-2] |

Wavelength (9) [nm]

Aperture

Duration [s]

< 10-9

10-9 — 10-7

10-7 — 10-3

10-3 — 101

101 — 103

103 — 3 · 104

UV

(A, B, C)

180-400

3,5 mm

E = 3 · 1010 [W m-2]

Same as Eye Exposure Limits

Visible

& IRA

400-700

3,5 mm

E = 2 · 1011 [W m-2]

H = 200 CA

[J m-2]

H = 1,1 · 104 CA t 0,25

[J m-2]

E = 2 · 103 CA [W m-2]

700-1 400

E = 2 · 1011 CA [W m-2]

IRB & IRC

1 400-1 500

E = 1012 [W m-2]

Same as Eye Exposure Limits

1 500-1 800

E = 1013 [W m-2]

1 800-2 600

E = 1012 [W m-2]

2 600-106

E = 1011 [W m-2]

Table 2.5

Applied correction factors and other calculation parameters

| Parameter aslisted in ICNIRP | Valid spectral range
  (nm) | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CA | λ < 700 | CA = 1,0 |
| 700-1 050 | CA = 100,002(λ — 700) |
| 1 050-1 400 | CA = 5,0 |
| CB | 400-450 | CB = 1,0 |
| 450-700 | CB = 100,02(λ — 450) |
| CC | 700-1 150 | CC = 1.0 |
| 1 150-1 200 | CC = 100,018(λ — 1150) |
| 1 200-1 400 | CC = 8,0 |
| T1 | λ < 450 | T1 = 10 s |
| 450-500 | T1 = 10 · [100,02 (
  λ
  — 450)] s |
| λ > 500 | T1 = 100 s |
| Parameter as listed in ICNIRP | Valid for biological effect | Value |
| αmin | all thermal effects | αmin = 1,5 mrad |
| Parameter as listed in ICNIRP | Valid angular range
  (mrad) | Value |
| CE | α < αmin | CE = 1,0 |
| αmin < α < 100 | CE = α/αmin |
| α > 100 | CE = α2/(αmin · αmax) mrad
  with αmax = 100 mrad |
| T2 | α < 1,5 | T2 = 10 s |
| 1,5 < α < 100 | T2 = 10 · [10(α — 1,5)/98,5] s |
| α > 100 | T2 = 100 s |
| Parameter as listed in ICNIRP | Valid exposure time range
  (s) | Value |
| γ | t ≤ 100 | γ = 11 [mrad] |
| 100 < t < 104 | γ = 1,1 t 0,
  5 [mrad] |
| t > 104 | γ = 110 [mrad] |

Parameter aslisted in ICNIRP

Valid spectral range

(nm)

Value

CA

λ < 700

CA = 1,0

700-1 050

CA = 100,002(λ — 700)

1 050-1 400

CA = 5,0

CB

400-450

CB = 1,0

450-700

CB = 100,02(λ — 450)

CC

700-1 150

CC = 1.0

1 150-1 200

CC = 100,018(λ — 1150)

1 200-1 400

CC = 8,0

T1

λ < 450

T1 = 10 s

450-500

T1 = 10 · [100,02 (
  λ
  — 450)] s

λ > 500

T1 = 100 s

Parameter as listed in ICNIRP

Valid for biological effect

Value

αmin

all thermal effects

αmin = 1,5 mrad

Parameter as listed in ICNIRP

Valid angular range

(mrad)

Value

CE

α < αmin

CE = 1,0

αmin < α < 100

CE = α/αmin

α > 100

CE = α2/(αmin · αmax) mrad

with αmax = 100 mrad

T2

α < 1,5

T2 = 10 s

1,5 < α < 100

T2 = 10 · [10(α — 1,5)/98,5] s

α > 100

T2 = 100 s

Parameter as listed in ICNIRP

Valid exposure time range

(s)

Value

γ

t ≤ 100

γ = 11 [mrad]

100 < t < 104

γ = 1,1 t 0,
  5 [mrad]

t > 104

γ = 110 [mrad]

Table 2.6

Correction for repetitive exposure

Each of the following three general rules should be applied to all repetitive exposures as occur from repetitively pulsed or scanning laser systems:

| 1. | The exposure from any single pulse in a train of pulses shall not exceed the exposure limit value for a single pulse of that pulse duration. |
| --- | --- |

1.

The exposure from any single pulse in a train of pulses shall not exceed the exposure limit value for a single pulse of that pulse duration.

| 2. | The exposure from any group of pulses (or sub-group of pulses in a train) delivered in time t shall not exceed the exposure limit value for time t. |
| --- | --- |

2.

The exposure from any group of pulses (or sub-group of pulses in a train) delivered in time t shall not exceed the exposure limit value for time t.

| 3. | The exposure from any single pulse within a group of pulses shall not exceed the single-pulse exposure limit value multiplied by a cumulative-thermal correction factor Cp=N-0,25, where N is the number of pulses. This rule applies only to exposure limits to protect against thermal injury, where all pulses delivered in less than Tmin are treated as a single pulse. |
| --- | --- |

3.

The exposure from any single pulse within a group of pulses shall not exceed the single-pulse exposure limit value multiplied by a cumulative-thermal correction factor Cp=N-0,25, where N is the number of pulses. This rule applies only to exposure limits to protect against thermal injury, where all pulses delivered in less than Tmin are treated as a single pulse.

| Parameter | Valid spectral range (nm) | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tmin | 315 < λ ≤ 400 | Tmin = 10-9 s | (= 1 ns) |
| 400 < λ ≤ 1 050 | Tmin = 18 · 10-6 s | (= 18 μs) |
| 1 050 < λ ≤ 1 400 | Tmin = 50 · 10-6 s | (= 50 μs) |
| 1 400 < λ ≤ 1 500 | Tmin = 10-3 s | (= 1 ms) |
| 1 500 < λ ≤ 1 800 | Tmin = 10 s | |
| 1 800 < λ ≤ 2 600 | Tmin = 10-3 s | (= 1 ms) |
| 2 600 < λ ≤ 106 | Tmin = 10-7 s | (= 100 ns) |

Parameter

Valid spectral range (nm)

Value

Tmin

315 < λ ≤ 400

Tmin = 10-9 s

(= 1 ns)

400 < λ ≤ 1 050

Tmin = 18 · 10-6 s

(= 18 μs)

1 050 < λ ≤ 1 400

Tmin = 50 · 10-6 s

(= 50 μs)

1 400 < λ ≤ 1 500

Tmin = 10-3 s

(= 1 ms)

1 500 < λ ≤ 1 800

Tmin = 10 s

1 800 < λ ≤ 2 600

Tmin = 10-3 s

(= 1 ms)

2 600 < λ ≤ 106

Tmin = 10-7 s

(= 100 ns)

---

(1)  If the wavelength of the laser is covered by two limits, then the more restrictive applies.

(2)  When 1 400≤λ<105 nm: aperture diameter = 1 mm for t ≤ 0,3 s and 1,5 t0,375 mm for 0,3 s < t < 10 s; when 105≤λ<106 nm: aperture diameter = 11 mm.

(3)  Due to lack of data at these pulse lengths, ICNIRP recommends the use of the 1 ns irradiance limits.

(4)  The table states values for single laser pulses. In case of multiple laser pulses, then the laser pulse durations of pulses falling within an interval Tmin (listed in table 2.6) must be added up and the resulting time value must be filled in for t in the formula: 5,6 · 103 t0,25

(5)  If the wavelength or another condition of the laser is covered by two limits, then the more restrictive applies.

(6)  For small sources subtending an angle of 1,5 mrad or less, the visible dual limits E from 400 nm to 600 nm reduce to the thermal limits for 10s≤ t<T1 and to photochemical limits for longer times. For T1 and T2 see Table 2.5. The photochemical retinal hazard limit may also be expressed as a time integrated radiance G = 106 CB [J m-2 sr-1] for t > 10s up to t = 10 000 s and L = 100 CB [W m-2 sr-1] for t > 10 000 s. For the measurement of G and L γm must be used as averaging field of view. The official border between visible and infrared is 780 nm as defined by the CIE. The column with wavelength band names is only meant to provide better overview for the user. (The notation G is used by CEN; the notation Lt is used by CIE; the notation LP is used by IEC and CENELEC.)

(7)  For wavelength 1 400 — 105 nm: aperture diameter = 3,5 mm; for wavelength 105 — 106 nm: aperture Diameter = 11 mm

(8)  For measurement of the exposure value the consideration of γ is defined as follows: If α (angular subtense of a source) > γ (limiting cone angle, indicated in brackets in the corresponding column) then the measurement field of view γm should be the given value of γ. (If a larger measurement field of view is used, then the hazard would be overestimated).

If α < γ then the measurement field of view γm must be large enough to fully enclose the source but is otherwise not limited and may be larger than γ.

(9)  If the wavelength or another condition of the laser is covered by two limits, then the more restrictive applies.

---

STATEMENT OF THE COUNCIL'S REASONS

I.   INTRODUCTION

On 8 February 1993 the Commission submitted to the Council, on the basis of Article 118a of the Treaty establishing the European Community, a proposal for a Council Directive on the minimum health and safety requirements regarding the exposure of workers to the risks arising from physical agents.

The proposal was intended to supplement Directive 89/391/EEC by explaining the way in which some of its provisions were to apply in the specific case of exposure to physical agents.

The European Parliament and the Economic and Social Committee delivered their opinions on 20 April 1994 and 30 June 1993 respectively. The European Parliament confirmed its first reading on 16 September 1999 (1).

The Commission submitted an amended proposal on 8 July 1994.

Following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, the legal basis changed from ex-Article 118a to Article 137(2), which provides for codecision with the European Parliament and consultation of the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.

The Committee of the Regions stated in a letter dated 13 January 2000 that it would not be submitting an opinion on the proposal for a directive.

The main feature of the proposal was that it combined in a single instrument four types of physical agents (noise, mechanical vibration, optical radiation and electromagnetic fields), each of which would have been the subject of a separate annex.

Given the very different characteristics of the four physical agents, it was decided in 1999 to proceed on the basis of separate Directives. The Directives on vibration, noise and electromagnetic fields have already been adopted. The Council then decided to concentrate on optical radiation, the fourth and last element.

The Council adopted a Common Position on 18 April 2005, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty.

II.   OBJECTIVE

The proposal for a Directive, following the splitting of the original proposal, aims to help improve protection of the health and safety of workers from risks arising from exposure to optical radiation.

III.   ANALYSIS OF THE COMMON POSITION

1.   General observations

According to Article 137(1) of the Treaty ‘the Community shall support and complement the activities of the Member States in (...) improvement in particular of the working environment to protect workers' health and safety;’ etc.

Article 137(2) of the Treaty states that the Council: ‘may adopt, by means of directives, minimum requirements for gradual implementation, having regard to the conditions and technical rules obtaining in each of the Member States’.

The Council Common Position is in accordance with the objectives of Article 137(2) of the Treaty in the area covered, since it is designed to introduce minimum requirements to protect the health and safety of workers from the risks arising from exposure to optical radiation.

Furthermore, the Common Position respects the objectives put forward by the Commission and supported by Parliament, despite having a different structure as a result of the original proposal being split. It includes several of the amendments resulting from Parliament's first reading of the Commission's proposal.

2.   Structure and key elements

2.1.   General structure

The general structure of the Common Position, for instance the introduction of exposure limit values, the articles on worker information and training, consultation and participation and the miscellaneous provisions, closely follows the provisions of the Directives on vibration, noise and electromagnetic fields. This is also in line with the general structure of the Commission's amended proposal.

According to Article 1, the Common Position refers to risks to the health and safety of workers due to adverse effects caused by exposure to optical radiation to the eyes and to the skin. No distinction is drawn between long-term and short-term effects, since the scope of the Directive covers both acute and chronic adverse health effects. For example, this reflects the reality that excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation can cause long term effects, such as skin melanomas.

2.2.   The exposure limit values

The Common Position is based on the introduction of exposure limit values (ELVs) as defined in Article 2 and set out in the tables in the Annexes according to Article 3. These values are essentially based on the recommendations established by the International Commission on non-ionising radiation protection (ICNIRP). In the domains where no values have been drawn up by ICNIRP, values established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) were used. These scientifically-based guidelines, which are conservatively based, are designed to prevent the acute and long-term effects to the eyes and the skin that can occur at extremely high levels of exposure. The ELVs prescribed in the ICNIRP Guidelines correspond to those developed by other independent scientific advisory bodies that work in this area, notably the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), the (UK) National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) and the Health Council of the Netherlands (Gezondheidsraad).

The ELVs for non-coherent radiation, other than that emitted by natural sources of optical radiation, are as set out in Annex I and the ELVs for laser radiation are as set out in Annex II.

The application of ELVs and engineering controls are not deemed appropriate in the case of exposure to natural sources of optical radiation, and therefore preventive measures, including information and training for workers, are critical in the assessment of risk and the reduction of exposure risks due to natural sources of optical radiation (sun, volcanic activity, natural fires, lightning, etc.).

2.3.   Determination of exposure and assessment of risks

Key elements of the Common Position are the provisions on the determination of exposure and assessment of risks in Article 4. Important elements of the risk assessment to which the employer shall give particular attention are, inter alia, workers belonging to particularly sensitive risk groups and multiple sources of exposure (Article 4(4)).

Article 4(1) stipulates that the employer shall assess and, if necessary, measure and/or calculate the levels of exposure to optical radiation. The article includes instructions concerning the methodology to be applied: if available, the standards and recommendations of IEC, CIE or CEN (2) should be used and, if these are not available, national or international science-based guidelines should be followed. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, the assessment may take account of data provided by the manufacturers of the equipment where it is covered by a relevant Community Directive.

2.4.   Action to be taken when a risk has been established

The aim of the Common Position is to eliminate or reduce to a minimum risks arising from exposure to optical radiation. Article 5(2) refers to workers exposed to artificial sources of optical radiation and Article 5(3) to workers exposed to natural sources of optical radiation. In both cases, the employer shall devise and implement an action plan comprising technical and/or organisational measures.

In case of artificial sources, Article 5(2) refers, inter alia, to other working methods, the choice of equipment, technical reduction methods or the design and layout of workplaces as particular elements of such an action plan. Following on from the concept of exposure limit values, Article 5(5) clearly states that workers shall not be exposed above the ELVs. If the ELVs are nevertheless exceeded, the employer shall take immediate action to reduce exposure below them, identify the reasons why the ELVs have been exceeded and shall amend the protection and prevention measures in order to prevent any re-occurrence of such an incident.

A further obligation that arises when a risk has been established is the identification, indication by appropriate signs and limitation of access to the areas concerned (Article 5(4)).

Compliance with the exposure limit values in respect of artificial optical sources and a systematic observance of a precautionary approach to natural sources are likely to provide a high level of protection against any possible adverse effects.

2.5.   Main differences from the Commission's amended proposal

The main differences between the Common Position and the Commission's amended proposal concern:

| — | the new structure due to the fact that optical radiation is dealt with in a specific directive, |
| --- | --- |

—

the new structure due to the fact that optical radiation is dealt with in a specific directive,

| — | the restructuring and redefinition of the exposure limit values, including the deletion of the action values and the threshold levels, |
| --- | --- |

—

the restructuring and redefinition of the exposure limit values, including the deletion of the action values and the threshold levels,

| — | the tables and provisions in the Annexes, which closely follow the ICNIRP recommendations; |
| --- | --- |

—

the tables and provisions in the Annexes, which closely follow the ICNIRP recommendations;

| — | the references to standards, recommendations and science-based guidelines for the assessment, measurement and calculation of the levels of exposure to artificial sources of optical radiation in the context of the risk assessment, |
| --- | --- |

—

the references to standards, recommendations and science-based guidelines for the assessment, measurement and calculation of the levels of exposure to artificial sources of optical radiation in the context of the risk assessment,

| — | the abolition of the requirement to consider certain activities as presenting an increased risk and to declare them to the responsible authority, |
| --- | --- |

—

the abolition of the requirement to consider certain activities as presenting an increased risk and to declare them to the responsible authority,

| — | the granting to outdoor workers of the same level of protection as indoor workers. |
| --- | --- |

—

the granting to outdoor workers of the same level of protection as indoor workers.

3.   The European Parliament's amendments in first reading

As the Common Position only covers optical radiation, several of the European Parliament's amendments do not fall into this context. Therefore only the following amendments had to be taken into consideration before the Common Position was adopted: 1, 4 to 21, 25, 27, and 34 to 36.

3.1.   European Parliament amendments adopted by the Council

Amendments 1, 5, 9, 14, 16 and 25 were taken up in their entirety, if not word-for-word at least in spirit, in the Common Position.

In addition, Amendment 4 was partly taken up in Article 2(e). However, instead of the text of Amendment 4, the Council preferred to state that compliance with the exposure limit values will ensure that workers are protected against all known adverse health effects.

Amendment 10 is reflected in spirit in the text of Article 5(6), even though the Council did not consider it appropriate to refer to an exclusive aim of preventive measures for particularly sensitive risk groups.

Amendment 12 was accepted in spirit in Article 5(1), where the Common Position now refers to the elimination or reduction to a minimum of the exposure.

Amendment 13 was partly accepted in Article 5(5). The Council saw no need to refer specifically to collective measures, as the employer has to take into account all possible prevention measures when he takes action to reduce exposure below the exposure limit values.

Amendment 17 was accepted in spirit in Article 4(4)(f), which includes a list of a variety of possible indirect effects of exposure to optical radiation.

3.2.   European Parliament's amendments not adopted by the Council

The Council did not consider it advisable to include amendments 6, 7, 8, 11, 15, 18, 19, 20, 21, 27, 34, 35, and 36 in its Common Position, for the following reasons:

| — | there was no need for a threshold level or an action value as included in the Commission's amended proposal and in amendments 6 and 7, since the respect of the exposure limits as recommended by ICNIRP already guarantees that there are no known adverse health effects. There are few areas in occupational health as thoroughly researched as optical radiation, or where there is such widespread agreement among national and international health advisory authorities concerning safe levels of exposure, |
| --- | --- |

—

there was no need for a threshold level or an action value as included in the Commission's amended proposal and in amendments 6 and 7, since the respect of the exposure limits as recommended by ICNIRP already guarantees that there are no known adverse health effects. There are few areas in occupational health as thoroughly researched as optical radiation, or where there is such widespread agreement among national and international health advisory authorities concerning safe levels of exposure,

| — | amendment 8 was not adopted because there is no need for a separate definition of 'assessment' apart from the provisions on assessment in Article 4, |
| --- | --- |

—

amendment 8 was not adopted because there is no need for a separate definition of 'assessment' apart from the provisions on assessment in Article 4,

| — | amendment 11 was not accepted because what needs to be assessed according to Article 4 is the risk to the health of the worker and not the level of exposure, |
| --- | --- |

—

amendment 11 was not accepted because what needs to be assessed according to Article 4 is the risk to the health of the worker and not the level of exposure,

| — | amendment 15 concerning health surveillance was not adopted as the Council preferred a general reference to Article 14 of the Framework-Directive 89/391/EEC, instead of having an excessively binding obligation on workers. However, Article 8 of the Common Position includes a number of provisions concerning arrangements for health surveillance, |
| --- | --- |

—

amendment 15 concerning health surveillance was not adopted as the Council preferred a general reference to Article 14 of the Framework-Directive 89/391/EEC, instead of having an excessively binding obligation on workers. However, Article 8 of the Common Position includes a number of provisions concerning arrangements for health surveillance,

| — | amendments 18, 19 and 20 were redundant as the Common Position does not include a special provision for derogation or exemptions, |
| --- | --- |

—

amendments 18, 19 and 20 were redundant as the Common Position does not include a special provision for derogation or exemptions,

| — | the Council considered the standard provision in Article 11 on a Committee to assist the Commission to be appropriate and therefore did not accept amendment 21, |
| --- | --- |

—

the Council considered the standard provision in Article 11 on a Committee to assist the Commission to be appropriate and therefore did not accept amendment 21,

| — | amendment 27 was redundant as the Common Position does not include a special provision for hazardous activities, |
| --- | --- |

—

amendment 27 was redundant as the Common Position does not include a special provision for hazardous activities,

| — | amendments 34, 35 and 36 were not adopted as the Annexes had been restructured in line with the ICNIRP Recommendations. |
| --- | --- |

—

amendments 34, 35 and 36 were not adopted as the Annexes had been restructured in line with the ICNIRP Recommendations.

IV.   CONCLUSION

The Council considers that, as a whole, the Common Position is in line with the fundamental objectives of the Commission's amended proposal. The Council also considers that, having regard to the preparation of separate texts in respect of each of the four physical agents, it has taken account of the principal objectives pursued by the European Parliament in its amendments to the original Commission proposal.

---

(1)  OJ C 54, 25.2.2000, p. 75.

(2)  IEC: International Electrotechnical Commission

CIE: International Commission on Illumination

CEN: European Committee for Standardisation

---