WRITTEN QUESTION P-3542/00

by Torben Lund (PSE) to the Commission

(8 November 2000)

Subject: Lead

The severely harmful effects of lead on human health are well documented internationally and recognised by the WHO. Harmful effects on the environment are also internationally documented. Lead is used in thousands of products. Each single product containing lead does not always in isolation constitute a serious problem but the impact of the total quantity of lead is a very serious health and environmental problem.

Does the Commission intend to submit a proposal to prohibit the production, sale and imports of lead and products containing lead?

If so, the proposal should cover all finished products containing lead and should lay down a comprehensive timetable for phasing out such products.

Will the Commission also say what prohibitions and restrictions on the use of lead exist under current legislation, and what prohibitions and restrictions on its use are contained in proposals submitted for directives and regulations?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(12 December 2000)

The Commission is well aware of the harmful effects of lead on human health and on the environment. The risks related to the use of lead have been addressed for quite some time in Community legislation.

In terms of hazard, most lead compounds are classified as toxic to reproduction, harmful, dangerous for the environment (ecotoxic) and presenting a danger of cumulative effects 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(1). In addition exposure of humans and of the environment to lead compounds from such sources as air, soil, and food is well documented.

In specific situations where exposure to lead has been assessed, the Commission has put in place measures to replace lead in petrol, in paints (8th amendment of Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations(2)), in vehicles (under Directive 2000/53/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2000 on end-of life vehicles(3)), and to impose limits on the concentration of lead in the air (Council Directive 82/884/EEC of 3 December 1982 on a limit value for lead in the air(4)), and in water (Council Directive 98/83/EEC of 3 November 1998 on the quality of water intended for human consumption(5)). The recent proposal for a directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment(6) foresees a substitution of lead in electrical and electronic equipment with few exceptions. In addition, the Commission proposed to include lead in the list of priority substances under the Water Framework Directive(7). Subject to its adoption by the Council and the Parliament, the Commission will propose quality standards for surface and coastal waters and emission controls within two years thereafter.

In its recent opinion in the context of a notification of Denmark on lead (98/595/DK), the scientific committee on toxicity, ecotoxicity and the environment (SCTEE, opinion of 5th May 2000, http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sct/outcome_en.html) stated that these Community measures has contributed to an overall decrease in lead exposure to humans and the environment. The SCTEE also concluded that the main source of exposure to lead comes from historic uses, in particular from dust and land contaminated by the use of lead in paints and petrol.

Furthermore, the Commission has requested the SCTEE to assess the overall risks of lead to human health and the environment from all sources. On the request of the SCTEE, the Commission is commissioning independent studies to collect technical and toxicological information on which to elaborate the opinion. The Commission will use the results of the studies and the SCTEE opinion as the basis to take possible additional specific actions to reduce risks to health or the environment including, if appropriate, proposals under Directive 76/769/EEC to restrict the marketing and use of lead.

(1) OJ B 196, 16.8.1967.

(2) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.

(3) OJ L 269, 21.10.2000.

(4) OJ L 378, 31.12.1982.

(5) OJ L 330, 5.12.1998.

(6) COM(2000) 347 final.

(7) OJ C 177 E, 27.6.2000.