Dangerous substances and preparations: restrictions on the marketing and use (17th amend. Directive 76/769/EEC)

The Economic and Social Committee approves the Commission proposal to amend for the 17th time Directive 76/769/EEC relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations. The Committee especially welcomes the steps being proposed by the Commission at EU level to protect consumers from exposure to c/m/r substances, which are complementary to those already existing with regard to the protection of workers from carcinogenic substances. Nevertheless, the Committee considers that it would be better if the restriction on the sale of c/m/r substances would follow automatically after their classification under the requirements of Directive 67/548/EEC. In this case, it notes that the use of a committee procedure would help to speed up the process, although there would have to be prior consultation of the various socio-economic partners and interests involved. �