91999E1976

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1976/99

by Inger Schörling (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(28 October 1999)

Subject: Brominated flame retardants

There have recently been alarming reports in Sweden of high levels of brominated flame retardants in fish in the Baltic. The Swedish government has promised to ban brominated flame retardants in 2004 and to press for reductions in their use.

How does the Commission intend to deal with the problem of brominated flame retardants?

Does it intend to seek a ban at EU level, and if so, when?

Could a unilateral Swedish ban on brominated fire retardants constitute an obstacle to the free movement of goods and thus an infringement of EU law?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(24 November 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the answer to Written Question E-3004/98 by Mr Eisma(1).

The Commission is aware of recently published Swedish research on brominated flame retardants, in particular as regards polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDEs). In this context, information not only on the levels of certain brominated flame retardants in fish but also on increased concentrations of five PBDE congeners in the blood of workers at recycling plants is a cause for concern. The Commission will give full consideration to these findings in preparing a proposal for a directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), which is intended to lead to a increase in the recycling of plastics containing flame retardants.

With respect to the last question of the Honourable Member, a possible unilateral ban on brominated flame retardants would have to be assessed according to Articles 28 and 30 (ex Articles 30 and 36) of the EC Treaty concerning quantitative restrictions between Member States.

(1) OJ C 142, 21.5.1999.