(1)

Tri-substituted organostannic compounds were previously widely used in antifouling paints on ships. However, such paints were found to pose risks for aquatic organisms through endocrine disruptive effects. The use of organostannic compounds, also known as organotin compounds, in antifouling paints was therefore restricted in Directive 76/769/EEC, and in Regulation (EC) No 782/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 April 2003 on the prohibition of organotin compounds on ships (2). Furthermore, tri-substituted organostannic compounds may no longer be used as biocides under Directive 98/8/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 1998 concerning the placing of biocidal products on the market (3). However articles treated with such biocides may still be imported into the Community.

(2)

Di-substituted organostannic compounds, including in particular dibutyltin compounds (DBT) and dioctyltin compounds (DOT), are widely used in consumer articles where they function either as a stabilizer or as a catalyst.

(3)

The use of organostannic compounds in consumer articles has been found to pose a risk to human health, particularly for children. The specific risks to the health of children and adults from various consumer articles have been identified in a risk assessment (4), and have been confirmed by the Commission’s Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks (SCHER) in its opinion of 30 November 2006 (5).

(4)

Although di-substituted and tri-substituted organostannic compounds have the same adverse health effect, namely immunotoxicity via the thymus gland, and act in a cumulative way, the potency of the tri-substituted compounds (such as TBT and TPT) is greater than that of the di-substituted compounds (DOT and DBT). Furthermore, tri-substituted organostannic compounds being emitted from articles for either consumer or professional use could have adverse effects on the environment — in particular on aquatic organisms. More severe restrictions should therefore be imposed on articles containing tri-substituted organostannic compounds.

(5)

Certain DBT compounds (dibutyltin dichloride, CAS: 683-18-1, and dibutyltin hydrogen borate, CAS: 75113-37-0) will soon be classified in the framework of Council Directive 67/548/EEC (6) as toxic to reproduction, category 2, and it will subsequently be prohibited to sell the substances and mixtures containing them to consumers (7). More severe restrictions should therefore be imposed on articles containing DBT compounds, allowing for continued use for an additional period of time only where no suitable alternatives are available such as catalysts in RTV-1 and RTV-2 sealants, paints and coatings, or PVC stabilisers in certain products (for example coated fabrics, PVC profiles) to allow the development of suitable alternatives, or where the articles concerned are already regulated by other more specific legislation.

(6)

Exposure to DOT compounds is highest from certain specific consumer articles such as printed textiles, gloves, footwear, wall and floor coverings, female hygiene products, nappies, and two-component silicone moulds.

(7)

Despite the availability of alternatives for most uses to be restricted, certain producers of articles containing DOT and DBT will need time to adapt, and an appropriate transition period should be therefore foreseen for these applications.

(8)

Directive 76/769/EEC should therefore be amended accordingly.

(9)

This Decision is without prejudice to the Community legislation laying down minimum requirements for the protection of workers, such as Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (8) and individual Directives based thereon, in particular Directive 2004/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work (Sixth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Council Directive 89/391/EEC) (codified version) (9) and Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (fourteenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (10).

(10)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee on the adaptation to technical progress of the Directives for the elimination of technical barriers to trade in dangerous substances and preparations,