British heritage sites at risk from EU Ban
Posted, July 14, 2008 @ 12:00
John Bowis MEP, Conservative spokesman on the Environment in the European Parliament, has tabled amendments to the European Commission's proposal to place restrictions on the use of the chemical Dichloromethane (DCM), which is mainly used in paint strippers.
The proposals call for a complete ban on consumer use of DCM products and restricted permission for professional use. Member States would be allowed to grant licenses to specially trained professionals, if their work is conducted according to mandatory requirements, such as ventilation, fluro gloves and respiratory equipment. Industrial use is also permitted under safe conditions. The European Parliament's Rapporteur, Swedish MEP Carl Schlyter (Green Party), is now proposing a complete ban on both consumer and professional use.
The ban would dramatically hinder the capacity of British heritage sites to carry out repair work as those working on ancient monuments argue that the alternative gels are largely ineffective, particularly in hot or cold weather.
Mr Bowis, said:
"Our ancient buildings could be threatened by the Commission's proposal to ban the protective chemical used in paint stripping. I do support additional workplace controls for the use of dichloromethane based products but I see no reason for adopting absolute bans for either professional or consumer use. The Commission restrictions are disproportionate to the potential risk. We already have other measures in place, sufficient to reduce such risks.
"I have tabled amendments to delete some of the excessive labelling requirements but also to strengthen references to existing EU laws that protect professional and other users. In the UK we already require workers to be protected, giving clear instructions before starting a job with hazardous materials and training them in how to use them safely. That is the balanced but safe way forward."
Details
1) To view The Commission's proposal please go to -http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/FindByDocnum.do?lang=en&docnum=COM/2008/80
2) The report is currently going through the first reading stage in Parliament and is due to be voted on in September