WRITTEN QUESTION E-0257/98 by Hiltrud Breyer (V) to the Commission (13 February 1998)

Subject: Data bank for toxic substances

It is very important, particularly for people who react very sensitively to chemicals, to have rapid access to the necessary information about individual substances. If the relevant data is readily available, this also speeds up diagnosis and therapy.

Will the Commission say:

1. How do the Member States of the European Union view the establishment of an international data bank for storing information about toxic and highly toxic substances, their composition, chemical formulae and antidotes?

2. Does it intend to set up a data bank of this kind? Would it financially support the establishment of a data bank run by the private sector or a university?

Answer given by Mr Flynn on behalf of the Commission (16 March 1998)

Access to information on the chemical composition of preparations is important in order to ensure correct advice and treatment in connection with intoxications, or severe conditions described as hypersensitivity to one or a multitude of chemical substances. Community legislation already exists in order to harmonise the rules in Member States on the classification, labelling, packaging and notification of products. Relevant information can be retrieved from the International uniform chemical information database (IUCLID) which lists all the information on toxicity of the high volume substances. It will soon be updated to include all the chemicals with more than 10 tons per year produced. The non confidential part of IUCLID is available on CD-ROM distributed by the European chemicals bureau (ECB). A similar, confidential database in the ECB covers new chemicals.

The Commission is not aware of requests by Member States to modify existing Community legislation or arrangements. Poison control centres or clinical toxicologists who would be dealing with diagnosis, therapeutic advice or referral for treatment have access to the aforementioned information. In addition, safety data sheets produced in accordance with Council Directive 88/379/EEC of 7 June 1988 on 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 187, 16.7.1988. )) enable professional users to take measures as regards the protection of the environment and health and safety at the work place. These sheets must contain the information necessary for protection of man and the environment. Safety data sheets are also produced for substances according to 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. )). The international programme on chemical safety which is a joint activity of the World health organisation (WHO), United Nations environment programme (UNEP) and the International labour organisation (ILO) produces 'International chemical safety cards' and has to date published 12 series covering more than 1,200 substances. A CD-ROM will also be produced.

The Member States are required under Directive 88/379/EEC to nominate bodies responsible for receiving information on dangerous preparations, including their chemical composition. This information is used to meet demand for formulating preventive and curative measures, in particular in emergencies.

The Commission believes that the present Community provisions are sufficient to cover the information needs in cases of emergency.

The Honourable Member is also referred to written question E-120/97 by Mr Fernandez Albor ((OJ C 217, 17.7.1997. )) on the creation of a European centre on toxicological information.