WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2659/98 by Riccardo GAROSCI to the Commission. Protection of consumers from phthalates in soft toys made of PVC
Date: 1998-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, GAROSCI
Subjects: European standard, consumer protection, drafting of EU law, early childhood, plastics, product safety, public health, toxic substance, toy industry

5.2.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 31/153

What mechanisms have been employed to ascertain the non-implementation of Community legislation?

What sanctions have been imposed?

In which cases have infringement procedures led the Member States concerned to rectify their failure to comply?

Answer given by Mr Santer on behalf of the Commission

(11 September 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the 15th report on the monitoring of the application of
Community law, (1) which contains all the information requested.

(1) COM(98) 317 final.

(1999/C 31/221)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2659/98

by Riccardo Garosci (PPE) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Protection of consumers from phthalates in soft toys made of PVC

Babies and small children are constantly at risk of swallowing harmful substances called phthalates, which are
added to plastic toys to make them soft and flexible, since children often put these toys in their mouths and suck
or chew them. Since at present parents cannot ascertain whether or not toys contain phthalates, they cannot
protect their children from a potential danger. Article 153 of the Treaty establishing the European Community
obliges the European institutions to give priority to the interests of consumers, in particular the most vulnerable
ones, such as children. On 24 April last the European Commission(cid:146)s Scientific Committee on Toxicity,
Ecotoxicity and the Environment expressed concern about two phthalates in particular, DINP and DEHP, for
which the safety margin is very narrow. The recommendation adopted by the Commission on 1 July last is
inadequate. Can the Commission therefore draw up as soon as possible a proposal for a directive and, if
necessary, adopt emergency measures?

Answer given by Mrs Bonino on behalf of the Commission

(25 September 1998)

As regards the Commission(cid:146)s general approach concerning problems associated with the presence of phthalates
in certain childcare articles and toys of soft PVC (polyvinyl chloride), the Honourable Member is invited to refer
to the answer given by the Commission to the following written questions: E-755/98 from Mrs D(cid:237)ez de Rivera
Icaza, E-830/98 from Mrs GonzÆlez `lvarez and Mr Marset Campos, E-996/98 from Mrs Sornosa Mart(cid:237)nez, E -
1536/98 from Mr Kaklamanis, E-1806/98 from Mr Alavanos and E-2055/98 from Mr Camis(cid:243)n Asensio (1).

Apart from the recommendation which it adopted on 1 July 1998 (2), the Commission intends presenting as soon
as possible a proposal for a directive concerning the products in question. The preparatory work for this is already
under way.

(1) OJ C 13, 18.1.1999.
(2) OJ L 217, 5.8.1998.

(1999/C 31/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2755/98

by Graham Mather (PPE) to the Commission

(10 September 1998)

Subject: Commission personnel

Can the Commission please provide a breakdown by nationality of all officials at the level of Director or higher in
the Commission?