Activites

• 1998/04/24 Final act published in Official Journal
  • Directive 1998/8
  • OJ L 123 24.04.1998, p. 0001
• 1998/02/16 Final act signed
• 1998/02/16 End of procedure in Parliament
• 1998/01/14 Decision by Parliament, 3rd reading
  • T4-0014/1998 summary

    In adopting the report by Mrs Kirsten JENSEN (PSE, DK), the European Parliament approved the decision of the EP/Council Conciliation Committee giving the green light to a first attempt to harmonize at European level legislation on biocides. Parliament secured agreement that it should be involved in drawing up lists of approved biocides, so that it can constantly monitor the application of the legislation. �

• 1998/01/13 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament summary

    Commissioner Bjerregaard expressed her satisfaction and announced that the Commission would present a new general text on comitology before June 1998.

• 1998/01/08 Report tabled for plenary, 3rd reading
  • A4-0011/1998
• #2063
• 1997/12/18 Council Meeting
• 1997/12/16 Joint text approved by Conciliation Committee co-chairs
  • 3633/1997
• 1997/12/11 Final decision by Conciliation Committee
• 1997/11/11 Formal meeting of Conciliation Committee
• #2025
• 1997/07/22 Council Meeting
• 1997/05/13 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament summary

    The rapporteur stressed the effects of chemical products on human health and particularly highlighted the findings made with regard to the diminishing quality of male sperm. Mrs Jensen particularly deplored the attachment to the proposal, during second reading, of two new annexes whose content was unknown. She condemned the fact that, as a result of this manoeuvre, Parliament would have to accept framework provisions with governments being able to choose the most appropriate solution in terms of how to implement these. Replying to the criticisms made about the lack of transparency, Commissioner Bjerregaard explained that the annex’s wording would be based on a complete risk assessment. The problem was complex as it did not just relate to environmental proposals. Of the 41 amendments tabled, 21 were acceptable to the Commission.

  • T4-0219/1997 summary

    The European Parliament adopted the recommendation for second reading by Mrs Kirsten JENSEN (PSE, DK) after rejecting most of the amendments tabled by its environment committee. Parliament did, however, call for the deletion of two new annexes (content unknown) which were added to the proposal during the second reading. The subject matter of these annexes was: (a) a list of active substances and the requirements relating to them approved at Community level for inclusion among low-risk biocidal products; (b) a list of basic substances and the requirements relating to them approved at Community level. �

• 1997/04/16 Vote in committee, 2nd reading
  • A4-0137/1997
• 1997/01/16 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 2nd reading
• #1983
• 1996/12/20 Council Meeting
  • 11310/1996 summary

    The common position concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market, adopted unanimously, included 27 of the 28 amendments proposed by Parliament as incorporated by the Commission in its second modified proposal. It also included several amendments rejected by the Commission. The common position does not alter the basic aims of the proposal, but certain aspects of the text have been clarified and the number of recitals reduced. The scope of the proposal has been better defined and more specific cases for derogation from the principle of mutual recognition have been introduced. Practical aspects of authorization procedures have been introduced, e.g. frame-formulations and commodity substances, as well as a procedure for low-risk products. The conditions for the operation of the principle of comparative assessment have been clarified. The annexes have been restructured to provide a common core data set for all active substances and biocidal products. �

• #1939
• 1996/06/26 Council Meeting
• 1996/06/24 Modified legislative proposal published
  • COM(1996)0312 summary

    The amended proposal for a directive on the marketing of biocidal products incorporates a number of amendments adopted by the European Parliament at first reading. The main changes made to the initial proposal are designed to: - state that the directive helps to cut down the number of experiments carried out on animals; - change the scope of the directive so that it applies to all the relevant products not covered by other legislation, while avoiding duplication with existing legislation (there must be careful coordination, inter alia, with the directives on the protection of water and the continued use and release into the environment of genetically modified organisms); - introduce the idea of a 'general formula', defined as a category of products designed for the same use and the same type of user; - state the period of time laid down for the processing of requests for authorization for biocidal products: any request for authorization must be decided upon within a reasonable period of time. Requests for authorization for biocidal products to which the general formula applies must be processed within 60 days; - stipulate that specific account must be taken of the effects of biocidal products on air and surface water and that methods of application must be included in requests for authorization; - state that the labels on biocidal products must not be misleading or give an exaggeratedly favourable impression of the product; - change the requirements regarding the information to be provided when requesting authorization: the file must contain supporting data but must also correspond to the current state of technological progress; - provide for the authorization of a biocidal product is subject to a fee; - authorize the use of anti-soiling agents on sea-going vessels during a ten-year period from the entry into force of the directive. The amended proposal did not incorporate the European Parliament's amendments aimed at: - changing the scope of the directive by changing the definition of 'harmful organisms', including products intended for export and bringing within the scope of the directive materials treated with biocidal products; - provide for the drawing up of action plans to limit the use of biocidal products; - propose that all biocidal product labels recommend that they be used in moderation; - remove the reference to the 5th environmental action programme; - propose limiting the types of substance which can be included in the composition of biocidal products; - change the committee procedure laid down for the adoption of the regulation governing the programme of systematic examination. �

• 1996/04/18 Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
  • T4-0189/1996 summary

    In adopting the report by Mrs Kirsten JENSEN (PSE, DK), by 310 votes to 27 and 11 abstentions, Parliament opposed the idea that it should be possible for a biocidal product authorized by a single national authority to be authorized automatically by other national authorities within 60 days. It wished national authorities, which at present had to rely on information made available by companies, to have access to sufficient documentation. The EP considered that the levying of green taxes could help limit and bring about change in the use of biocides, and called for the implementation by the Member States of action plans designed to reduce consumption of biocidal products. The EP approved Article 9(7) of the proposal concerning alternative evaluation allowing the authorities to reconsider an authorization granted. Also adopted was an amendment providing that the Member States may authorize antifouling products used on seagoing vessels of over 25 metres for a period of ten years from the directive's entry into force. If legislation is adopted by the IMO within this time limit, this provision will lapse. �

• 1996/04/17 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
• #1905
• 1996/03/04 Council Meeting
  • 1905 summary

    The discussion focused on Annexes II, III and IV (information to be provided to gain authorization) of the Commission's initial proposal on the one hand, and on Annex V (scope of the directive, with a breakdown by product types)on the other hand. The Council reached a political agreement, on the basis of the Presidency's suggestions, regarding the structure of these annexes and the procedures to be followed for compiling annexes and for future adjustments to their content. The Permanent Representatives Committee was instructed to continue working on the directive, taking account of the results achieved thus far and the orientations given by today's discussion, with a view to achieving results at the Environment Council's meeting in June 1996.

• 1996/02/22 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A4-0056/1996
• #1895
• 1995/12/18 Council Meeting
  • 1895
• 1995/07/20 Modified legislative proposal published
  • COM(1995)0387 summary

    During its debates, the European Parliament called for common principles for evaluating dossiers to be established as soon as possible and included in the main proposal in the form of an annex. The Council was of the same opinion. The Commission's amended proposal thus included a new Annex VI setting out the common principles. It referred to the annex in a new recital, which stated that common rules should be established to assess biocidal products in order to guarantee a harmonised approach in the Member States. �

• #1817
• 1994/12/16 Council Meeting
  • 1817
• 1993/09/13 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• 1993/07/27 Legislative proposal published
  • COM(1993)0351 summary

    OBJECTIVE: to ensure the freedom of movement of biocidal products and goods treated thereby, without risk to man and the environment. CONTENT 1. The Directive complements Directive 91/414/EEC concerning the placing of plant protection products on the market (Official Journal L 230, 19 August 1991). It also sets out a comparable approach: establishment of a Community-wide positive list of active substances and, at in Member States, grant of authorisations and system of mutual recognition of authorisations. 2. Definition and scope of application: biocidal products cover pesticides for non-agricultural use, such as insecticides, disinfectants, products for the preservation of wood or other materials and biocides for industrial use. 3. The Directive draws up a positive Community list of active substances intended to combat harmful organisms and which may be used in biocidal products. 4. System of authorisation for placing on the market of the various biocidal products containing the active substances included in the positive list. This authorisation may be issued, modified and cancelled by the Member States in accordance with the common requirements set out in the Directive and the uniform principles to be drawn up by the Commission on the opinion of a Standing Committee on Biocidal Products composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission. 5. Principle of mutual recognition of authorisations granted by the Member States, with a safeguard clause. 6. System of provisional authorisation (three years) of placing on the market by a Member State, in its territory, of biocidal products containing an active substance not yet included in the positive list, but satisfying its conditions. This period is extended to ten years when the biocidal product is not included in the positive list, but is already being placed on the market. 7. Ten-year programme for the evaluation of active substances being placed on the market and to be included in the positive list. 8. Possibility, for the Member States, to use an unauthorised active substance or biocidal product for research or development purposes, provided that strict conditions are respected. 9. Harmonised rules on the protection of confidentiality and information exchange. 10. As regards classification, packaging and labelling of biocidal products, the rules laid down in Directives 88/379/EEC and 78/631/EEC and some supplementary rules listed in the Directive are applicable. 11. Introduction of an information system for users on biocidal products by means of data-safety sheets. 12. Regulation of the advertising of biocidal products. 13. Obligation for Member States to take the measures needed for biocidal products placed on the market to be officially inspected as regards compliance with the conditions laid down in the Directive. Source: European Commission - Info92 08/95 �

Documents

• Legislative proposal published: COM(1993)0351
• Debate in Council: 1817
• Modified legislative proposal published: COM(1995)0387
• Debate in Council: 1895
• Committee report tabled for plenary, 1st reading/single reading: A4-0056/1996
• Debate in Council: 1905
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T4-0189/1996
• Modified legislative proposal published: COM(1996)0312
• Council position published: 11310/1996
• Committee recommendation tabled for plenary, 2nd reading: A4-0137/1997
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 2nd reading: T4-0219/1997
• Joint text approved by Conciliation Committee co-chairs: 3633/1997
• Report tabled for plenary, 3rd reading: A4-0011/1998
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 3rd reading: T4-0014/1998
• : Directive 1998/8
• : OJ L 123 24.04.1998, p. 0001

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)