CELEX: 51980PC0570
Language: en
Date: 1980-10-10
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE amending for the sixth 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 (Benzene) (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (80) 570
Vol. 1980/0183
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                   COM(80 ) 570 final
                                                   Brussels , 10 october 1980
                                 Proposal for a
                               COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
       amending for the sixth 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 ( Benzene )
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              ( submitted to the Council by. the Commission )
                                          I K ,.
C0M(80 ) 570  final
 ---pagebreak---                          Expl anat arv r.' em o randum
        Τ-
Bonzene is a wjoely usee enenrteal substanee , -fche toxie preperties of
which are well established . It affects the central nervous and.
haematopoietic systems and there are many reported cases of acute and
chronic poisoning in humans due to exposure to benzene . Human epidemiologi­
cal studies , case reports and case control studies now provide sufficient
evidence of the carcinogenic effects of benzene in humans ; in particular
there appears to be a relationship between exposure to benzene and the
development of leukaemia ( l ).
In the United Kingdom , benzene was detected in the solvent mixture
provided in balloon-making kits intended for use by children , The levels
of benzene in the solvent ranged up to 40 % » and- the final mixture used in
making the balloons contained up to 4 $ of benzene . Having reviewed the
possible health hazards to children resulting from these kits , the United
Kingdom prohibited their sale . The ban became operative on 18 January 1979 *
The Scientific Advisory Committee on the Toxicity and Ecotoxicity of
Chemical Compounds ( CSTE), consulted by the Commission , was strongly opposed
to the use of benzene in the solvents supplied with these kits . The
Committee was also of the opinion that , in view of its toxicity , the
presence of benzene was generally undesirable in toys .
Since prohibition of these products by means of unilateral and disparate
measures may distort the Community market and directly affect its functioning ,
the European Community must find ways of harmonizing the relevant national
provisions at Community level .
( l ) IARC Monograph on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of
      Chemicals to Humans ( 1979 ) Supplement- I - 15-24
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 2 -
      To this end , it is proposed that the use of benzene for such purposes
      should be prohibited at Community level .
 II . EXPLANATION OF THE ARTICLES
      Article 1
      This Article provides that a new section on benzene shall be added to the
      Annex to Council Directive 76/769/EEC of 2 7 July 1976 ( l ) on the approxi­
      mation of the laws , regulations and administratives provisions of the
      Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and vise of certain
      dangerous substances and preparations * The section prohibits the use of
      benzene in products intended as toys .
      Article 2 and 3
      These Articles are common to all Directives *
III , PREPARATION OF THE DRAFT DIRECTIVE
      The proposal for a Directive was drawn up following notification received
      from the government of a Member State , after the matter had been referred to
      a working party consisting of experts in the fields of public health , hygiene
      and industrial safety , and trade and industry and after consultation with
      the CSTE and the industrial organizations concerned ,,
 17 . CONSULTATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE ECCMOMI C. MP SOCIAL
      COMMITTEE      (
      Since implementation of the provisions in the proposal for a Directive
      will ential amendment of the legal provisions of Member States , the
      Opinion of both bodies is essentiel and must be obtained , as required
      by Article 100 ( 2 ) of the EEC Treaty .
      ( 1 ) OJ No L 263 , 27.9.1976 , p. 201
 ---pagebreak---                       PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
             amending for the sixth time Directive 76/769/EEC                 ,
         OA th « apprexlfflat Ion of the laws , regulations and aArtiini strive
         provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the *
         marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations
                                    ( Benzene )
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community ,
and in particular Article 100 thereof ,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ,
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee ,
                                                                                 /
Whereas benzene is recognized to be highly toxic and liable to affect the
central nervous and hematopoietic systems and to induce cancer and in
particular leukaemia ;
Whereas benzene is used , inter alia , as a constituent of one of the
chemicals for manufacturing toys and in particular children 's balloons ;
whereas the way the Latter are used makes it possible to absorb benzene
by inhalation , ingestion or through the skin, thereby exposing children
to the abovementioned hazards ;
                                                                            f
Whereas benzene is governed by rules in certain Member States ; whereas thes
rules differ as to the conditions of its marketing and use ; whereas these
differences constitute a barrier to trad,e and directly affect the establish­
ment and functioning of the common market ;
                                                        (1)
Whereas the Annex to Council Directive 76 / 769 / EEC       , as last amended by
                         (2)
Directive                    , should be amended accordingly-,,
Whereas the Scientific Advisory Committee to Examine the Toxicity and Eco-
Toxicity of Chemical Compounds has delivered an opinion on the matter ;
( 1 ) OJ L 262 , 27 September 1976 , p . 201 ,
( 2 ) OJ L     ,               ' 1980 , p.
 ---pagebreak--- HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE ;
                               Article 1
The following is hereby added to the Annex to Directive 76/769/EEO :
" 7 . Benzene                             May not be used in products
      CAS No ( Chemical Abstract          intended for use as toys . "
      Service Number) 71-32-2
                               Article 2
     The Member States shall bring into force the provisions necessary
     to comply with this Directive before 1 March 1981 . They shall
     immediately inform the Commission thereof .
                               Article 3
     This Directive is addressed to the Member States .