COMMISSION DIRECTIVE of 8 December 1986 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to procedures for the control of characteristics of, limits for and resistance to detonation of straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content (87/94/EEC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,
Having regard to Council Directive 80/876/EEC of 15 July 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content (1), and in particular Article 8 thereof,
Having regard to Council Directive 76/116/EEC of
18 December 1975 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to fertilizers (2), and in particular Article 9 (2) thereof,
Whereas Directive 80/876/EEC provides for characteristics of, limits for and a test of resistance to detonation for the fertilizers in question; whereas Article 8 thereof provides that the methods of checking, analysis and test be established in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 11 of Directive 76/116/EEC;
Whereas Directive 76/116/EEC provides for official control for Community fertilizers for the purpose of checking compliance with requirements arising under the Community provisions concerning the quality and composition of fertilizers;
Whereas it seemed necessary, having regard to the particular nature of straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content and to the requirements it entails regarding public safety, health, and protection of workers, to lay down additional Community rules for these fertilizers;
Whereas for straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers, sampling and analysis for official controls of Community fertilizers are carried out in accordance with the methods described in Commission Directive 77/535/EEC
Whereas in accordance with the same procedure the number of the thermal cycles to which the sample is to be submitted before being tested for resistance to detonation is established as provided in Annex II to Directive 80/876/EEC, and the limit value for heavy metals is established as provided in Annex I to the same Directive;
Whereas the method of the closed thermal cycles as described is regarded as stimulating sufficiently the conditions to be taken into account within the scope of application of Directive 80/876/EEC; whereas, however, this method may not necessarily simulate all conditions arising during bulk transport by water;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee on the Adaptation to Technical Progress of the Directives for the Removal of Technical Barriers to Trade in Fertilizers,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:
Article 1
1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the methods of checking, analysis and test for official controls of straight ammonium nitrate fertilizers of high nitrogen content provided for by Directive 80/876/EEC are carried out in accordance with the methods described in Annexes II and III to this Directive.
2. Annex I fixes:
- the permissible heavy metals content,
- the required number of thermal cycles applicable to samples submitted to the detonation test.
Article 2
1. Member States shall take the measures necessary to comply with this Directive not later than 31 December 1987. They shall forthwith inform the Commission thereof.
2. Member States shall communicate to the Commission the texts of the provisions of national law which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive.
Article 3
This Directive is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 8 December 1986.