WRITTEN QUESTION E-3058/00 by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission. Classification of toluene.
Date: 2000-09-28
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: dangerous substance, economic consequence, health risk, printing, scientific report, solvent

8.5.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 136 E/171

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(25 October 2000)

Under Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996, on the protection of species of wild fauna
and flora by regulating trade therein (1), which implements the Convention on international trade in
endangered species of wild fauna and flora in the Community, commercial trade in ivory is not allowed.

The Commission as well as the Member States are continuously committed to the conservation of the
African elephant and are well aware of the sensitivity of the issues related thereto.

However, import of hunting trophies is allowed from some African countries where it has been established
that this limited hunting is not detrimental to the populations concerned and export quotas have been
adopted. The return from sport hunting is generally large, a part of which,
in most of the countries
concerned, is required by law to go back to local communities and conservation authorities which are
committed to the conservation of the elephant.

Taking account of the above considerations, the Commission does not intend to stop the import of
hunting trophies, accompanied by proper export and import documents, from African countries where the
above conditions are in place.

(1) OJ L 61, 3.3.1997.

(2001/C 136 E/200)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3058/00

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Commission

(28 September 2000)

Subject: Classification of toluene

Toluene is a solvent currently indispensable for publication printing. However,
is shortly to be
reclassified under EU law as (cid:145)a risk phrase R61(cid:146), which would have the effect of ranking toluene as a
poison. This would make it impossible for companies to print with toluene and endanger the jobs of a
significant number of employees.

it

However, scientific studies have questioned the dangers of toluene.

The German MAK Commission has carried out a very intensive investigation into toluene and, as a result,
has downgraded toluene from the more dangerous Group (cid:145)B(cid:146) to the less dangerous Group (cid:145)C(cid:146). Other studies
have concluded that there is currently not enough information on toluene on which to base a firm oinion.

Could the Commission indicate whether or not it has commissioned scientific studies on toluene and/or
the information on which the Commission based its decision to rank toluene as a poison?

Answer given by Mrs Wallstr(cid:246)m on behalf of the Commission

(6 November 2000)

The Commission has not yet taken a decision on whether toluene should be classified as toxic to
reproduction nor has it commissioned a scientific study on this substance. However, toluene is currently
undergoing risk assessment as foreseen under Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 of 23 March 1993, on
the evaluation and control of the risks of existing substances (1), including consideration of its intrinsic
hazards. All relevant scientific studies are being considered as part of the hazard and risk assessments.
the rapporteur for this substance, has recently submitted a draft risk assessment report.
Denmark,
Commission working groups composed of experts from the Member States are currently discussing this
report.

(1) OJ L 84, 5.4.1993.