WRITTEN QUESTION E-2475/99

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(16 December 1999)

Subject: Dioxin emission levels of incinerators in the EU

Numerous urban waste incinerators in the Member States are still producing dioxin and furan emissions at levels exceeding the EU's recommended threshold. According to the first Spanish survey of emissions of those substances, recently made public by the Spanish Higher Scientific Research Council, certain incinerators have been registering emissions as high as 1,08 nanograms per cubic metre, while the EU's recommended threshold is 0,1 nanogram per cubic metre.

It cannot be claimed at present that all Member State governments are rushing to implement the Seveso directive: many waste incinerators are still emitting over the Union's recommended threshold.

The Commission has said that it intends to adopt, by the end of the year, a new directive on the criteria for all types of incinerator, which will lay down extremely rigorous conditions for emission thresholds for key pollutants. The threat to public health represented by excessive dioxin and furan emissions has, moreover, been the subject of numerous WHO warnings.

Does the Commission intend to approach the governments concerned to urge them to ensure compliance, throughout their territory, with the EU recommendations on dioxin and furan emissions from solid waste incinerators, and to press, accordingly, for the Seveso provisions to be implemented without further delay?

What mechanisms or aids has the Commission instituted to ensure that incinerators operating within the Community observe the emission thresholds recommended by the EU?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 2000)

There are currently three pieces of legislation aimed at limiting emissions from incineration plants. Council Directive 94/67/EC of 16 December 1994(1) covers the incineration of most hazardous waste and Council Directives 89/369/EEC of 8 June 1989 on the prevention of air pollution from new municipal waste incineration plants(2) and 89/429/EEC of 21 June 1989 on the reduction of air pollution from existing municipal waste-incineration plant(3) cover the incineration of municipal waste. In future, all three pieces of legislation will be repealed and replaced by a single directive, which sets an emission limit value for dioxins of 0,1 nanogram toxicity equivalents per cubic meter. Council Directive 96/82/EC of 9 December 1996 on the control of major-accident hazards including dangerous substances(4), the so-called Seveso Directive, seeks in principle to reduce the possibility of major accidents in industrial installations and does not provide for emission limits.

The Council adopted a common position on the proposal for a directive on incineration on 25 November 1999. The final adoption is expected for autumn 2000. The proposed emission limit value for dioxin will become applicable to existing plants five years after the adoption of the directive, that is to say probably in autumn 2005.

After the transition period has expired, the Commission will apply all means foreseen in the EC Treaty to enforce the implementation and correct application of the directive.

(1) OJ L 365, 31.12.1994.

(2) OJ L 163, 14.6.1989.

(3) OJ L 203, 15.7.1989.

(4) OJ L 10, 14.1.1997.