CELEX: 51979PC0123
Language: en
Date: 1979-03-19
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DIRECTIVE amending for the second time the Annex to 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 (submitted to the Council by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
DE LA COMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEE DES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (79) 123
Vol. 1979/0065
 ---pagebreak--- Disclaimer
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In accordance with Council Regulation (EEC, Euratom) No 354/83 of 1 February 1983
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Community and the European Atomic Energy Community (OJ L 43, 15.2.1983, p. 1), as
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 ---pagebreak--- COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                  COM(79)123 final
                                                  Brussels . 19 March 1979
                               Proposal for a
                              COUNCIL DIRECTIVE
 amending for the second time the Annex to 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
               ( submitted to the Council by the Commission )
  COM ( 79 ) 123 final
 ---pagebreak---                                 EX PLANATO RY" MEMORANDUM
I. GENERAL
   1 . As children's nightwear treated with tris ( 2,3 dibromopropyl ) phosphate
       fireproofing agent and imported from the United States of America , where
       the use of this substances has "been prohibited since 8 August 1977 » had
       appeared on the French market , the French authorities issued on
       1 June 1978 as an emergency prodedure an Order suspending for a period
       of one year the manufacture , importation and marketing of all garments
       and textile   articles fireproofed with this substance .
       For the same reasons , the. Belgian authorities issued a Royal Decree
       on 5 June 1978 prohibiting the marketing of garments and of fabrics
       intended for garment manufacture that had been treated with tris ( 2,3
       dibromopropyl ) phosphate . The United Kingdom has also notified the Commission
       of a similar prohibition .
   2 . The results of toxicological tests carried out on this substance throw
       doubts on its harmlessness and mutagenicity tests have proves positive .
       What is more , studies carried out by the US Consumer Product Satety
                I
       Commission have proved that this substance is absorbed through the skin
       in rabbits and causes testicular atrophy and nephrosis . The National
       Cancer Institute has also stated , after verifying initial data , that this
       substance is carcinogenic in both the rate and the mouse .
   3 . Differing measures taken unilaterally to ban products fireproofed with
       this substance can cause distortion on the Community market and have a
       direct impact on its functioning .      A community solution on harmonisat ion
       of national provisions is therefore essential , especially as        this case
        dangerous substances and preparations are involved .
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 2 -
 II . COMMENTS ON THE ARTICLES
                                                  \
      Article 1
      This extends the scope of the Annex to Council Directive 76/ 769/EEC
      relating to restrictions on the marketing and. use of oertain dangerous
      substances and preparations "by prohibiting the use of trie ( 2,3 dibromo-
      propyl ) phospha.be to treat textile articles , especially garments , knitwear
      and fabrics that come into contact with the skin .
      Article 2 and 3
                                                                         l  • .
      These articles are oommon to all directives .
III . CONSULTATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ANT) OF T}ffi ECONOMIC AND
      SOCIAL COMMITTEE
      Pursuant to the second paragraph of Article 100 of the EEC Treaty , these
      two bodies must give their opinion .     .         '
       ( 1 ) OJ No L 262 , 27.9.1976 , p. 201
 ---pagebreak---                      Proposal for a Council Directive
          amending for the second time the Annex to 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
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 thorough investigations have shown that the substance tris
( 2,3 dibromopropyl ) phosphate ( CAS No 126-72-7 ) , which is used to fire­
proof garments , and especially children 's garments , presents health
hazards ; whereas its use should therefore be restricted ;
Whereas the substance referred to above is subject to regulations in some
Member States ; whereas these regulations differ as regards the conditions
for marketing and use ; whereas these differences represent a barrier to
trade and have a direct impact, on the establishment and functioning of
 the common market ;                                       v
Whereas it is consequently necessary to amend the Annex to Council
Directive 76/769/EEC^' , as amended by Directive 2.
  ( 1 ) OJNoL 262 , 27.9.1976 , p. 201
  ( 2 ) OJNoL
 ---pagebreak---                                       4
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE :
                                   Article 1
The following is added to the Annex to Directive 76/ 769/EEC :
" 4 . Tris ( 2 ,.3 dibromopropyl )      Shall not be used to treat textile
      phosphate            >            articles , especially garments ,
  CAS No ( Chemical Abstract            knitted and crotcheted articles
      Service Number ) 126 -72- 7       and bedlinen , caning into contact
                                        with the skin ."
                                   Article 2
1.    Member States shall take the measures necessary to comply with this
      Directive before 1 January 1980 .
2.    As soon as this Directive has been notified , Member States shall
      inform the Commission , in sufficient time for it to submit its
      comments , of the draft laws , regulations or administrative provisions
      which they intend to adopt in the field covered by this Directive .
                                   Article 3
This Directive is addressed to the Member States .