PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON SWEETENERS FOR USE IN FOODSTUFFS
Date: 1990-09-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: food additive, foodstuff, sweetener

COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

m 

C0MC90) 381  final  - SYN 296 

Brussels, 11 September  1990 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL  DIRECTIVE 

on sweeteners  for use  in foodstuffs 

(presented  by the  Commission) 

-  2 -

Explanatory  Memorandum 

Directive  89/107/EEC  of  21  December  1988  states  in  article  3 paragraphs  1  and 

2  : 

"  1.  Particular  provisions  in  respect  of  the  additives  in  the  categories  given 

in  Annex  I  shall  be  laid  down  in  a  comprehensive  directive,  including 

existing  specific  directives.  That  directive  may,  however,  be  drawn  up  in 

stages. 

2.  The  Council  shall,  acting  on  a  proposal  from  the  Commission  under  the 

procedure  laid  down  in  article  100  A of  the  Treaty,  adopt  : 

(a)  a  list  of  additives  the  use  of  which  is  authorized  to  the  exclusion 

of  all  others; 

(b)  the  list  of  foodstuffs  to  which  these  additives  may  be  added,  the 

conditions  under  which  they  may  be  added  and,  where  appropriate,  a 

limit  on  the  technological  purpose  of  their  use; 

(c)  the  rules  on  additives  used  as  carrier  substances  and  solvents, 

including  where  necessary  their  purity  criteria." 

-  3 -

In  this  context  and  considering  the  rapid  market  development  and  the 

increasing  consumer  demand  for  reduced  energy  food,  action  on  sweeteners  is 

called  for  as  a  priority. 

The  Scientific  Committee  for  Food  has  been  consulted. 

Their  opinions  are 

published  in  the  16th  and  21st  series  of  the  Reports  of  the  Scientific 

Committee  for  Food. 

For  those  sweeteners  for  which  specific  acceptable  daily  intakes  have  been 

specified  by  the  Scientific  Committee  for  Food  maximum  levels  are  proposed. 

Where  the  Scientific  Committee  for  Food  considered  that  it  was  not  necessary 

to  numerically  specify  the  acceptable  daily  intake  the  principle  of  "quantum 

satis"  is  applied. 

Specifications  of  identity  and  purity  for  sweeteners  will  be  drawn  up 

according  to  the  procedure  laid  down  in  Article  11  of  Directive  89/107/EEC. 

The  Commission  is  presently  examining  the  need  for  further  mandatory  labelling 

of  certain  sweeteners  and  foodstuffs  containing  these  sweeteners. 

- 4 -

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL  DIRECTIVE 

on sweeteners  for use  in  foodstuffs 

THE COUNCIL  OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES, 

Having  regard  to the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Economic  Community, 

and  in particular  Article  100a  thereof, 

Having  regard  to the proposal  from  the Commission  , 

In cooperation  with the  European  Parliament  , 

2 

Having  regard  to the opinion  of the  Economic  and  Social  Committee  , 

Having  regard  to Council  Directive  89/107/EEC of  21  December  1988 on the 

approximation  of the  laws of the Member  States  concerning  food  additives 

authorized  for use  in foodstuffs  intended  for human  consumption  , and in 

particular  Article  3(2) thereof, 

After  consultation  of the Scientific  Committee  for  Food, 

Whereas, differences  between  national  laws  relating  to sweeteners  and 

their  conditions  of use hinder  the  free movement  of  foodstuffs; whereas 

this situation may  create  conditions  of unfair  competition; 

Whereas  the prime  consideration  for any  rules on sweeteners  and  their con 

ditions of use  should  be the need  to protect  the  consumer; 

OJ No L 40, 11.2.1989, p.27. 

-  5 -

Whereas,  having  regard  to  the  most  recent  scientific  and  toxicological 

information, 

these  substances 

are  to  be  permitted  only  for  certain 

foodstuffs  and under  certains  conditions  of use; 

Whereas  this  Directive  is not  intended  to  affect  rules  relating  to functions 

other  than  the  sweetening  properties  of  the  substances  covered  by  this 

Directive; 

Whereas  the  Commission  is to  adapt  Community  provisions  to  bring  them  into 

line with  the  rules  laid down  in this  Directive; 

Whereas  the use of sweeteners  to replace  sugar  is justified  for the production 

of energy-reduced  or  sugar-free  food  and  in some  cases  where  the  replacement 

of sugar extends  the shelf  life, 

HAS  ADOPTED  THIS  DIRECTIVE I 

-  6  -

Article 1 

1. This  Directive  is  a  specific  directive  forming  a  part  of  the  comprehensive 

directive  within  the  meaning  of  Article  3 of  Directive  89/107/EEC. 

2.  This  Directive  shall  apply  to  food  additives  which  are  used  to  impart  a 

sweet  taste  to  foodstuffs,  hereinafter  referred  to  as  "sweeteners". 

3.  This  Directive  shall  not  apply  to  foodstuffs  with  sweetening  properties 

such  as  mono-, disaccharides  and  honey. 

-  7 -

Article 2 

1.  Only  sweeteners  listed  in the  Annex may be used  in foodstuffs. 

2.  Sweeteners may only be used  in those  foodstuffs  listed  in the Annex  under 

the conditions  specified  therein. 

3.  Sweeteners may not  be used  in foods  intended  for particular  nutritional 

use by  infants and young  children, except  where  specially  provided  for. 

4.  Maximum  levels  indicated  in the Annex  refer  to the  ready-for-consumption 

foodstuffs prepared  according  to the manufacturer's  instructions. 

Article 3 

This  Directive  shall  apply  without  prejudice  to specific  directives 

permitting  additives  listed  in the Annex  to be used  for  functions other 

than  sweetening. 

- 8 -

Article 4 

Where necessary,  it may be decided  by the procedure  laid down  in Article  6 

of this  Directive,  whether  a particular  foodstuff  belongs  to a category of 

foods mentioned  in  Article  2(3)  and  foodstuffs  listed  in the Annex. 

-  9 -

Article  5 

Any  provision  necessary  to  adapt  existing  Community  provisions 

to  the 

rules  laid  down  in  this  Directive  shall  be  adopted  within  6 months  of  its 

notification  according  to  the  procedure  laid  down  in  Article  6  of  this 

Di rective. 

Article  6 

Where  the  procedure  laid  down  in  this  Article  is  to  be  followed,  the 

matter  shall  be  referred  to  the  Standing  Committee  for  Foodstuffs  ("Committee") 

by  the  Chairman  on  his  own  initiative  or  at  the  request  of  the  representative 

of  a  Member  State. 

The  representative  of  the  Commission  shall  submit  to  the  committee  a  draft 

of  the  measures  to  be  taken. 

The  committee  shall  deliver  its  opinion  on 

the  draft,  within  a  time  limit  which  the  chairman  may  lay  down  according  to 

the  urgency  of  the  matter,  if  necessary  by  taking  a  vote. 

The  opinion  shall  be  recorded  in  the  minutes;  in  addition,  each  Member 

State  shall  have  the  right  to  ask  to  have  its  position  recorded  in  the 

minutes. 

The  Commission  shall  take  the  utmost  account  of  the  opinion  delivered  by 

the  committee. 

It  shall  inform  the  committee  of  the  manner  in  which  its 

opinion  has  been  taken  into  account. 

-  10  -

Article  7 

Member 

States  shall  bring 

into  force  the  laws, 

regulations  and 

administrative  provisions  necessary  to  comply  with  this  Directive  not  later 

than  April  30, 1992  in order  to  : 

-  allow  trade  in  and  use  of  products  conforming  to  this  Directive  no  later 

than  April  30, 1992, 

-  prohibit  trade  in  and  use  of  products  not  conforming  to  this  Directive  no 

later than  April  30,  1993. 

They  shall  inform  the  Commission  thereof. 

These  provisions  shall  make  express  reference  to  this  Directive. 

This  Directive  is  addressed  to  Member  States. 

Article  8 

Done  at  Brussels 

I Of  the  Council 

The  President 

Note  : sugar free = without  any added mono- and disaccharides. 

- 11 -

ANNEX 

EEC N* 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL 

E 420 

Sorbitol 
(i)  Sorbitol 
(ii) Sorbitol 

E 421 

Mannitol 

E 953 

I soma It 

A ll  foodstuffs  excluding  water  based  flavoured 
non-alcoholic  drinks 

quantum 
sat is 

E 965 

Maltitol 
(i)  Maltitol 
(ii) Maltitol 

syrup 

E 966 

Lactitol 

E 967 

Xylitol 

- 12 -

EEC N' 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL 

E 950 

Acesulfame K 

Non-alcoholic  drinks 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free water based 
flavoured  drinks 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free dairy  based  drinks 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  fruit  juice  based  drinks 

350 mg/l 
350 mg/l 
350 mg/l 

Desserts 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free water  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free dairy  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  fruit  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free egg  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  cereal  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  fat  based  desserts 

Breakfast  cereals 

Edible Ices 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  edible  ices 

Fruit 

350 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 

350 mg/kg 

80C mg/kg 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  canned  or bottled  fruit 
Energy  reduced  jams, jellies, marmalades 
Energy  reduced  fruit  preparations 
Sweet  sour preserves  of fruit 

350 mg/kg 
1000 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 
200 mg/kg 

EEC N' 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL 

-  13 -

Confectionery 

Sugar free confectionery 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free cocoa or nut  based 
confectionery 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free starch based 
confectionery 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free cocoa, dairy, 
nut or fat based  sandwich  spreads 
Sugar free  chewing  gum 

500 mg/kg 

500 mg/kg 

1000 mg/kg 

,1000 mg/kg 
i 2000 mg/kg 

Bakery  products 

Fine bakery  wares  for special  nutritional  uses 

1000 mg/kg 

Fish, crustaceans, molluscs 

Sweet  sour preserves  and marinades  of fish, 

crustaceans  and  molluscs 

200 mg/kg 

Vegetables 

Sweet  sour vegetables  preserves 

200 mg/kg 

EEC N' 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

-  14 -

Alcoholic  drinks 

Cider and perry 
Beer of the following  types : 
- gueuze 
- kriek-lambic 
- bière de table  (original  wort  content  not more 

than  6%) 
- oud bruin 
- obergaeriges  Einfachbier  (original  wort  content 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL 

| 350 mg/l 

not more than 6%) 

I 350 mg/l 

Other 

E m u l s i f i ed  sauces 
N o n - e m u l s i f i ed  sauces 
Mustard 
Salads prepared  with  sauces 

Special diets 

350 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 

Formulae  for weight  control  intended  to  replace 
total daily  food  intake or an individual  meal 
Complete  formulae  and nutritional  supplements  for 
use under medical  control 
Liquid dietary  supplements 
Solid dietary  supplements 

| 450 mg/kg 

| 450 mg/kg 
| 350 mg/kg 
j 500 mg/kg 

-  15 -

EEC N' 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL 

E 951 

Aspartame 

Non-alcoholic  drinks 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free water based 
flavoured  drinks 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free dairy based  drinks 
Energy  reduced  or  s-gar free fruit  juice based  drinks 

600 mg/l 
600 mg/l 
600 mg/l 

Desserts 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free water based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free dairy  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free fruit based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free egg  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free cereal  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free fat  based  desserts 

1000 mg/kg 
1000 mg/kg 
1000 mg/kg 
1000 mg/kg 
1000 mg/kg 
1000 mg/kg 

Breakfast  cereals 

1000 mg/kg 

Edible  Ices 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  edible  ices 

800 mg/kg 

Fruit 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free canned  or bottled  fruit 
Energy  reduced  jams, jellies, marmalades 
Energy  reduced  fruit  preparations 
Sweet  sour preserves  of fruit 

1000 mg/kg 
1000 mg/kg 
1000 mg/kg 
300 mg/kg 

EEC N°  | 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL 

| 

-  16  -

Confectionery 

Sugar free  confectionery 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free cocoa or nut  based 
confectionery 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free starch  based 
confectionery 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  cocoa, dairy, 
nut or fat  based  sandwich  spreads 
Sugar free  chewing  gum 

2000 mg/kg 

200C mg/kg 

2000 mg/kg 

1000 mg/kg 
5500 mg/kg 

j 

| 

| 
| 

Bakery  products 

Fine bakery  wares  for  special  nutritional  uses 

1700 mg/kg 

| 

Fish, crustaceans, molluscs 

Sweet  sour preserves  and marinades  of  fish, 

crustaceans  and  molluscs 

300 mg/kg 

| 

Vegetables 

Sweet  sour vegetables  preserves 

300 mg/kg 

| 

EEC N( 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

-  17 -

Alcoholic  drinks 

Cider and perry 
Beer of the following  types : 
- gueuze 
- kriek-lambic 
- bière de table  (original  wort  content  not more 

than  6%) 
- oud bruin 
- obergaeriges  Einfachbier  (original  wort  content 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL 

600 mg/l 

not more than  6%) 

600 mg/l 

Other 

E m u l s i f i ed  sauces 
N o n - e m u l s i f i ed  sauces 
Mustard 
Salads prepared  with  sauces 

Special diets 

350 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 
350 mg/kg 
300 mg/kg 

Formulae for weight  control  intended  to  replace 
total daily  food  intake or  an individual  meal 
Complete formulae  and  nutritional  supplements  for 
use under medical  control 
Liquid  dietary  supplements 
Solid dietary  supplements 

800 mg/kg 

1000 mg/kg 
600 mg/kg 
2000 mg/kg 

-  18 -

EEC N« 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL  (*) 

E 952 

Cyclamic acid 
and  its Na 
and  Ca salts 

Non-alcoholic  drinks 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free water based 
flavoured  drinks 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free dairy based  drinks 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free fruit  juice based  drinks 

400 mg/l 
400 mg/l 
400 mg/l 

Desserts 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free water based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free dairy  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free fruit based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free egg  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free cereal based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free fat  based  desserts 

Breakfast  cereals 

Edible Ices 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  edible  ices 

Fruit 

250 mg/kg 
250 mg/kg 
250 mg/kg 
250 mg/kg 
250 mg/kg 
250 mg/kg 

250 mg/kg 

400 mg/kg 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free canned  or bottled  fruit 
Energy  reduced  jams, jellies, marmalades 
Energy  reduced  fruit  preparations 

1000 mg/kg 
1000 mg/kg 
250 mg/kg 

EEC  N°  | 

NAME 

| 

FOODSTUFFS 

| 
| 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL  (*) 

- 19 -

|  Confectionery 

| Sugar  free  confectionery 
| Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free cocoa  or  nut  based 
| confectionery 
| Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  starch  based 
| confectionery 
| Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  cocoa, dairy, 
| nut or fat  based  sandwich  spreads 
| Sugar free  chewing  gum 

1000 mg/kg 

1000 mg/kg 

1000 mg/kg 

11000 mg/kg 
3000 mg/kg 

| Bakery  products 

|  Fine bakery wares for  special  nutritional  uses 

1700 mg/kg 

| Alcoholic  drinks 

j Cider and perry 

|  Special  diets 

350 mg/l 

|  Formulae  for weight  control  intended  to  replace 
| total daily  food  intake or  an individual  meal 
|  Complete  formulae  and nutritional  supplements  for 
| use under  medical  control 
| Liquid  dietary  supplements 
|  Solid  dietary  supplements 

| 400 mg/kg 

| 400 mg/kg 
400 mg/kg 
1000 mg/kg 

(*) expressed as free acid 

-  20 -

EEC N' 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL  (*) 

E 954 

Saccharin  and 
its Na, K and 
Ca salts 

Non-alcoholic  drinks 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free water based 
flavoured  drinks 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free dairy  based  drinks 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  fruit  juice  based  drinks 

80 mg/l 
80 mg/l 
80 mg/l 

Desserts 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free water based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free dairy  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  fruit  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free egg  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  cereal based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  fat  based  desserts 

Breakfast  cereals 

Edible Ices 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  edible  ices 

Fruit 

100 mg/kg 
100 mg/kg 
100 mg/kg 
100 mg/kg 
100 mg/kg 
100 mg/kg 

100 mg/kg 

100 mg/kg 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free canned  or bottled  fruit 
Energy  reduced  jams, jellies, marmalades 
Energy  reduced  fruit  preparations 
Sweet  sour preserves  of fruit 

200 mg/kg 
200 mg/kg 
100 mg/kg 
160 mg/kg 

EEC N' 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL  (*) 

-  21 -

Confectionery 

Sugar  free  confectionery 
Energy  reduced  or sugar  free cocoa  or  nut  based 
confectionery 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  starch  based 
confectionery 
Essoblaten 
Energy  reduced  or sugar  free  cocoa, dairy, 
nut or fat based  sandwich  spreads 
Sugar  free chewing gum 

500 mg/kg 

500 mg/kg 

300 mg/kg 
800 mg/kg 

200 mg/kg 
1200 mg/kg 

Bakery  products 

Fine bakery  wares for  special  nutritional  uses 

170 mg/kg 

Fish, crustaceans, molluscs 

Sweet  sour preserves  and marinades  of  fish, 

crustaceans  and molluscs 

160 mg/kg 

Vegetables 

Sweet  sour vegetables  preserves 

160 mg/kg 

-  22 

-

EEC  N< 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

A l c o h o l ic  d r i n ks 

the 

f o l l o w i ng 

Cider  and  p e r ry 
Beer  of 
- gueuze 
- kriek-lambic 
- bière de table  (original  wort  content  not more 

types 

: 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL  (*) 

80 mg/l 

than  6%) 
- oud bruin 
- obergaeriges  Einfachbier  (original  wort  content 

80 mg/l 

not more than  6%) 

Other 

E m u l s i f i ed  sauces 
N o n - e m u l s i f i ed  sauces 
Mustard 
Salads prepared  with  sauces 

Special diets 

Formulae for weight  control  intended  to  replace 
total daily  food  intake or  an individual  meal 
Complete formulae  and  nutritional  supplements  for 
use under medical  control 
Liquid  dietary  supplements 
Solid dietary  supplements 

160 mg/kg 
160 mg/kg 
320 mg/kg 
100 mg/kg 

240 mg/kg 

200 mg/kg 
80 mg/kg 
500 mg/kg 

(*)  expressed as free imide 

-  23 -

|  EEC N°  | 
II 
I

NAME 

| 

FOODSTUFFS 

j  MAXIMUM 

j 

I 

LEVEL 

| 

j E 957 

| Thaumatin 

| Confectionery 

| 

| 
| 
| 
j 

| 
j 
| 
j 

| Sugar free confectionery 
| Energy  reduced  or sugar  free cocoa  or nut  based 
| confectionery 
| Sugar free  chewing  gum 

j  50 mg/kg 
j 
j  50 mg/kg 
!  50 mg/kg 

j 

| 
| 
| 
| 

EEC N' 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL 

-  24 -

E 959 

Neohesperidine 
DC 

Non-alcoholic  drinks 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free water based 
flavoured  drinks 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free dairy  based  drinks 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  fruit  juice based  drinks 

30 mg/l 
50 mg/l 
30 mg/l 

Desserts 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free water based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free dairy  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  fruit  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free egg  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  cereal  based  desserts 
Energy  reduced  or sugar  free fat  based  desserts 

50 mg/kg 
50 mg/kg 
50 mg/kg 
50 mg/kg 
50 mg/kg 
50 mg/kg 

Edible Ices 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  edible  ices 

Fruit 

Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free canned  or bottled  fruit 
Energy  reduced  jams, jellies, marmalades 
Energy  reduced  fruit  preparations 

50 mg/kg 

50 mg/kg 
50 mg/kg 
50 mg/kg 

EEC  N" 

NAME 

FOODSTUFFS 

MAXIMUM 
LEVEL 

-  25  -

Confectionery 

Sugar  free  confectionery 
Energy  reduced  or  sugar  free  cocoa  or  nut  based 
confectionery 
Sugar  free  chewing  gum 

100  mg/kg 

100  mg/kg 
400  mg/kg 

Alcoholic  drinks 

Cider  and  perry 
Beer  of  the  following  types  : 
-  gueuze 
-  kriek-lambic 
-  bière  de  table  (original  wort  content  not  more 

than  6%) 
-  oud  bruin 
-  obergaeriges  Einfachbier  (original  wort  content 

20  mg/l 

not  more  than  6%) 

10  mg/l 

--2C-

COMPETITIVENESS. AND EMPLOYMENT IMPACT STATEMENT 

I. 

What  is the main reason fur  introducing the measure ? 
a) Completion on the framwork directive on food additives  (107/89/CEE) 
b) To take  into account the increasing  consumer demand  for reduced  energy 

foodstuffs 

c) Initiates in the case of certain sweeteners new community  legislation and 

II, 

harmonizes their use within the internat market. 
features of the businesses in question. In particular : 

(a) Are there many SMEs ?  " 

Y cs 

(b) Are they concentrated in regions which are : 

i) eligible  for regional aid in the Member States ? 

No 

ii) eligible under the ERDF ? 

N° 

.III.  What direct obligations does this measure  impose on businesses ? 

Alternations in m?nufacting processes 
Alterations  in the  labelling of the food product 

IV. 

What indirect obligations are loc#l authorities  likely to impose 
on businesses ? 

None as is known 

V. 

Are there any special measures in respect of SMEs ?  Please specify 

None 

VI. 

What  is the likely effect on : 

(a) the competitive .vis s of businesses ? 

Increase competitiveness 

(b) the employer ? 

minimal 

VII.  Have both sides of industry been consulted ? 

tes#  frequently 

Please Indicate their opinions 

_All sides of 1n&*try "in this case are in favour of the proposal.-. D G XH 
has had to balance industry demands against safety aspect^of the  levels 
eveatuaIly opted for. 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(90) 381  final 

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