1999/10/EC: Commission Decision of 18 December 1998 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to paints and varnishes (notified under document number C(1998) 4257) (Text with EEA relevance)

COMMISSION DECISION of 18 December 1998 establishing the ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to paints and varnishes (notified under document number C(1998) 4257) (Text with EEA relevance) (1999/10/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 of 23 March 1992 on a Community eco-label award scheme (1), and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 5(1) thereof,
Whereas, by Decision 96/13/EEC (2), the Commission established ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to paints and varnishes, which, according to Article 3 thereof, expire 14 December 1998;
Whereas it is appropriate to adopt a new decision establishing criteria for this product group, which will be valid for a further period of three years after the expiry of the period of validity of the previous criteria;
Whereas it is appropriate to revise the criteria that were established by Decision 96/13/EEC in order to reflect the developments in the market;
Whereas the first subparagraph of Article 5(1) of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 provides that the conditions for the award of the Community eco-label shall be defined by product group;
Whereas Article 10(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 states that the environmental performance of a product shall be assessed by reference to the specific criteria for product groups;
Whereas Article 4(2)(a) of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 states that an eco-label may not be awarded to products which are substances or preparations classified as dangerous in accordance with Council Directive 67/548/EEC (3), as last amended by Commission Directive 97/69/EC (4) and Council Directive 88/379/EEC (5), as last amended by Commission Directive 93/18/EEC (6), but that it may be awarded to products containing such substances or preparations in so far as they meet the objectives of the Community eco-label award scheme;
Whereas paints and varnishes contain substances or preparations classified as dangerous under the Directives mentioned above;
Whereas the ecological criteria established by this Decision include restrictions limiting to a minimum the content of substances and preparations classified as dangerous in paints and varnishes which may be awarded on eco-label;
Whereas paints and varnishes fulfilling these criteria have therefore reduced environmental impact and meet the objectives of the Community eco-label award scheme;
Whereas in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92, the Commission has consulted the principal interest groups within a consultation forum;
Whereas the measures set out in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the committee set up under Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92,