WRITTEN QUESTION E-1244/03 by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission. Methyldibromo glutaronitrile.
Date: 2003-04-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: comitology, consumer protection, cosmetic product, preservative, scientific committee (EU), skin disease, testing

C 280 E/120

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

21.11.2003

It is appalling that such sluggish procedures can delay and prolong legal cases. To date, no formal charge
has yet been made against the accused.

Will the Council therefore say what initiatives it intends to take to enhance European cooperation in this
field?

Reply

(22 July 2003)

The Council cannot comment on matters that are pending before national authorities.

Provisions aiming at speeding up procedures of mutual co-operation in criminal matters between the
Member States of the European Union are contained in the 1990 Schengen Convention (Article 53) and in
the Convention adopted on 29 May 2000 on mutual assistance in criminal matters between the Member
States of the European Union (1).
in due time replace Article 53 of the 1990
Schengen Convention).

(Article 6, which will

The European Judicial Network,
introduced by Joint action 92/428/JHA of 29 June 1998, has, as its
mission to local judicial authorities of different Member States, to establish the most appropriate direct
contacts, and to enable local judicial authorities to prepare effective requests for judicial cooperation.

At present no further proposal or initiative has been submitted to the Council dealing with procedures as
described by the Honourable Parliamentarian in his question.

(1) OJ C 197, 12.7.2000.

(2003/C 280 E/137)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1244/03

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(2 April 2003)

Subject: Methyldibromo glutaronitrile

I understand that
this preservative, methyldibromo glutaronitrile, used in cosmetics and toiletries,
is currently being investigated by the EU Scientific Committee on Cosmetic and Non-Food Products. Its
use is said to be associated with a rise in incidences of allergic contact dermatitis.

What investigations into this substance are being carried out by the Scientific Committee, and has it so far
reached any conclusions?

In the meantime has the Commission so far expressed any concerns about the use of this substance in
cosmetics, toiletries or other products, and if so with what response from industry?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 2003)

Methyldibromo glutaronitrile (1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane) is regulated in the Cosmetics Directive (1)
Annex VI, part 1, reference 36 and can therefore be used as a preservative up to a maximum
concentration of 0,1 % in the finished product. It shall not be used in cosmetic sunscreen products at a
concentration exceeding 0,025 %.

The Commission received a letter from the chairman of
the European Environmental and Contact
Dermatitis Research Group (EECDRG) with data demonstrating the rising incidence of contact allergy to
methyldibromo glutaronitrile. These data were given to the Scientific Committee on Cosmetic Products and
Non-Food Products intended for Consumers (SCCNFP) for their expert review.

21.11.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280 E/121

In its Opinion on Methyldibromo Glutaronitrile Colipa No P77 SCCNFP/0585/02, final, adopted during the
20th plenary meeting of 4 June 2002 the SCCNFP stated that until appropriate and adequate information
is available to suggest a level of the preservative in leave-on products that poses an acceptable risk to the
consumer (compared with the risk to the consumer from other preservatives), its use should be restricted
to rinse-off products at the current maximum permitted level of 0,1 %.

Based on this scientific opinion and following the Comitology procedure the Commission will submit a
proposal to the Standing Committee and will take the necessary measures in order to modify accordingly
the Annex VI of the Cosmetics Directive.

(1) Council Directive 76/768/EEC of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to

cosmetic products (cid:1) OJ L 262, 27.9.1976.

(2003/C 280 E/138)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1256/03

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 April 2003)

Subject: Establishment of the European Maritime Safety Agency in Galicia

Taking account of the corresponding demand which has just been made by the Galician Government, will
the Commission propose that the European Maritime Safety Agency be located in Galicia, bearing in mind
its strategic position for Europe in terms of intercontinental maritime traffic, following the accidents which
have hit Galicia in recent years?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(12 May 2003)

The Commission has indeed received a fully documented application on behalf of the Galicien government,
proposing to host in Galicia the European Maritime Safety Agency.

While there is no doubt about the value of this initiative, the decision of the Agency location remains a
responsibility of the Council.

Pending a Council decision on the final location of a number of new Community Agencies (including the
Maritime Safety Agency), the Commission has decided to host provisionally this Agency in its own
premises in Brussels.

(2003/C 280 E/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1259/03

by Camilo Nogueira Román (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(3 April 2003)

Subject: European Union action on the problem of recovering fuel oil from the Prestige

What actual technical and financial measures have ensued from the Commission’s position that recovering
fuel oil from the Prestige represents a problem for the whole of the EU?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(8 May 2003)

The Commission would refer to the Honourable Member to its reply it gave to Oral Question H-069/03
by Mr Camillo Nogueira Roman during question time at Parliament’s March 2003 session (1) and to his
Written Question E- 3595/02 (2).