OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL ON DETERGENTS AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty

2002/0216 (COD)

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL ON DETERGENTS

1. Introduction

Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty provides that the Commission is to deliver an opinion on the amendments proposed by the European Parliament at second reading. The Commission sets out its opinion below on the eight amendments proposed by Parliament.

2. Background

Date of transmission of the proposal to the European Parliament and theCouncil: (document COM(2002)485 final - 2002/0216 COD): // 4.9.2002

Date of the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee: // 26.2.2003

Date of the opinion of the European Parliament, first reading: // 10.4.2003

Date of adoption of the political agreement (by qualified majority): // 19.5.2003

Date of transmission of the amended proposal: // 6.6.2003

Date of adoption of the common position: // 6.11.2003

Date of the opinion of the European Parliament, second reading: // 14.1.2004

3. Purpose of the proposal

The objective of the proposal is to ensure the free movement of detergents in the internal market while at the same time providing a high level of protection to human health and the environment. The proposal seeks to achieve these objectives by modernising the directives that lay down rules for the biodegradability of surfactants used in detergents and by incorporating and expanding labelling rules contained in Commission recommendation 89/542/EEC. Modernisation is provided by new biodegradability tests which will provide an enhanced level of protection to the aquatic compartment. In addition, the scope of the tests is extended to all classes of surfactant thereby including the 10% of surfactants that escape current legislation. Labelling rules are extended to include fragrance ingredients that could cause allergies, and manufacturers are obliged to disclose a full list of ingredients to medical practitioners treating patients suffering from allergies. A Regulation is proposed to ensure that the new rules, and subsequent adaptations of them to technical progress, will apply simultaneously in all Member States without the need for transposition of lengthy technical annexes into 25 separate national legislations.

4. Opinion of the Commission on the amendments by the European Parliament

The Commission can accept all the European Parliament's amendments as they are in line with the objectives of the proposal.

4.1. Amendments accepted by the Commission

The Commission accepts the eight amendments adopted by the European Parliament.

4.2. Amendments rejected by the Commission

None.

5. Conclusion

Pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty, the Commission amends its proposal as set out above.