WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2894/97 by Phillip WHITEHEAD to the Commission. Nickel release levels for the alloy used in the 1 and 2 Euro coins
Date: 1997-09-17
Institutions: European Parliament, WHITEHEAD
Subjects: Economic and Monetary Union, European standard, approximation of laws, ferro-alloy, marketing restriction, money, nickel, public health, scientific committee (EU), toxic substance

30. 4. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 134/31

Because of their high values, the 1 and 2 euro coins will need additional security features to reduce the scope of
possible fraud. With present technology, it would be very difficult to test, develop and produce an alternative for
nickel by the deadline for the introduction of euro coins of 1 January 2002. Accordingly, after consulting the
Scientific Committee for Toxicity and Ecotoxicity of Chemical Compounds, the Commission is upholding its
proposal that nickel should be used only in the 1 and 2 euro coins.

The Council made a first examination of the Commission proposal at its meeting of 7 July 1997 and reached
agreement in principle on the Commission proposal subject, in particular, to any modification to be decided upon
in the light of possible amendments by the European Parliament on first and second reading. It should be borne in
mind that this regulation cannot be adopted by the Council until the Member States adopting the euro as the
single currency have been selected (Article 105a(2) of the Treaty in conjunction with Article 109k thereof in
particular).

Since adoption of this Regulation is subject to the cooperation procedure with the Euroepan Parliament under
Article 189c of the Treaty, the Council will adopt its common position after examining the Opinion adopted by
the European Parliament at its first reading on 6 November 1997.

(98/C 134/37)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2894/97

by Phillip Whitehead (PSE) to the Commission

(17 September 1997)

Subject: Nickel release levels for the alloy used in the 1 and 2 euro coins

The nickel directive (94/27/EC) (1) prohibits the use of a nickel alloy with a nickel release level of greater than
0.5 ug/cm2  per week for products intended to come in direct and prolonged contact with the human skin.

Given the fact that certain workers (e.g. bank tellers/cash desk operators) have a high level of contact with coins,
does the Commission consider that coins are products which come into direct and prolonged contact with the
human skin?

If so, will the Commission agree that the nickel alloy chosen for the euro coins should conform to the standards
for such products laid down in the nickel directive?

(1)  OJ L 188, 22.7.1994, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(18 November 1997)

Directive 94/27/EC of 30 June 1994 amending for the 12th time Directive 76/769/EEC 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  imposes  limitations  in  the  use  of  nickel  in  objects
which are intended to come in direct and prolonged contact with the skin. These limitations have been imposed in
recognition of the fact that the presence of nickel in certain objects may cause sensitisation of humans to nickel
and may lead to allergic reactions in case of prolonged contact.

However  as  has  been  stated  by  the  scientific  committee  for  toxicity  and  ecotoxicity  (cid:145)there  is  no  evidence  to
suggest that nickel in current coinage has been associated with the initiation of sensitisation either in workers
handling coins or in the ordinary consumer(cid:146).

Coins are not mentioned in the list of objects attached to the Directive and at present there is no evidence to
suggest that coins are concerned by the Directive.

Under the proposal for a Council regulation on denominations and technical specifications of euro coins (1), only
8% of the coins in circulation would contain some nickel against 75% of the current coinage.

(1)  OJ C 208, 9.7.1997.