WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2763/97 by Karla PEIJS to the Commission. Commission proposal for a ban on colourants and aromatic substances in paraffin under implementation of Council Directive 76/769/EEC
Date: 1997-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, PEIJS
Subjects: child, consumer information, consumer protection, dangerous substance, dyestuff, lighting equipment, mineral oil

3. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 102/113

(98/C 102/163)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2763/97

by Karla Peijs (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1997)

Subject: Commission proposal for a ban on colourants and aromatic substances in paraffin under implementa-

tion of Council Directive 76/769/EEC

To what extent does the Commission proposal concerning paraffin involve adaptation to technical progress

1.
within the meaning of Directive 89/678/EEC (1) amending Directive 76/769/EEC (2)?

Has the Commission sufficiently researched the hazards actually existing in this area? If so what were its

2.
findings?

Has the Commission sufficiently investigated the effectiveness of the proposed measures with a view to

3.
reducing such hazards? If so, what were its findings?

Is the Commission aware that such health hazards occur chiefly as a result of unsafe paraffin lamps? What

4.
measures has it considered with a view to reducing this hazard?

5.
To what extent can the Commission justify the proposed measure in view of its major financial implications
for certain companies within the European Union, given that other effective measures could be taken, resulting in
a considerably smaller burden on these companies?

(1)  OJ L 398, 30.12.1989, p. 24.
(2)  OJ L 262, 27.9.1976, p. 201.

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1997)

Council Directive 89/677/EEC (1), amending for the eighth time Directive 76/769/EEC, restricts the use of
1.
liquid substances and preparations which are dangerous in the meaning of Community legislation. The proposed
adaptation to technical progress restricts, in line with Article 2a of Directive 76/769/EEC, the use of a subset of
these liquid substances and preparations, that is certain coloured or perfumed liquid dangerous substances which
can be used as fuels in decorative lamps.

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to its joint answer to written questions No 2302/97,

2
2377/97 and 2415/97 by Ms Jackson and Mr Cassidy (2).

3. and 4.
small children of poisoning by lamp-oils. The package consists of four elements:

The proposed Commission directive is one element of a package of measures to reduce the risks to

›  bottles  containing  lamp-oil  must  in  accordance  with  Directive  88/379/EEC  be  labelled  and  have  child

resistant fastenings as the lamp-oils present an aspiration hazard;

›  coloured  and  perfumed  oils  must  not  according  to  the  proposed  Directive  be  placed  on  the  market  in

quantities of less than 15 litres

›  a standard for the safe design of oil-lamps is to be prepared by the Comite· europe·en de normalisation;

›  an information campaign alerting parents to the dangers of lamp-oils is underway

This  strategy  addresses  the  risks  arising  from  both  the  oils  and  the  lamps  and  includes  measures  aimed  at
reducing the risks posed to children in all situations.

5.
The proposed strategy will serve to protect the health of children effectively without totally banning the
substances used as fuel in lamps. It is the least onerous package of measures that ensure the necessary high level
of protection for consumers.

(1)  OJ L 398, 30.12.1989.
(2)  OJ C 60, 25.2.1998, p. 122.