Environment: anti-fouling paints used on ships, prohibition of organotin compounds

OBJECTIVE: To prohibit organotin compounds on ships. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Regulation (EC) 782/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council. CONTENT: The Council adopted the regulation with all the amendments adopted by the European Parliament at first reading. The objective of the regulation is to reduce or eliminate adverse effects on the marine environment and human health caused by organotin compounds, which act as active biocides in anti-fouling systems used on ships flying the flag of, or operating under the authority of, a Member State and on ships regardless of the flags they fly, sailing to or from ports of the Member State. Under the regulation, anti-fouling paints used on ships will be prohibited three months after the entry into force of the new regulation and by 1 July 2003 at the latest for the ships of the Member States and from 1 January 2008 for any ship sailing to a Community port in order to reduce adverse effects on the environment. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 10/05/2003.�