Export and import of dangerous chemicals (amend. Regulation (EEC) No 2455/92)

In 1992 the Community imported more than 65 million tonnes of chemical products and exported nearly 62 million tonnes. Each year chemical products are responsible for accidents in third-world countries which result in the deaths of 20,000 to 30,000 persons and cause bodily injuries to hundreds of thousands of others. In adopting the report by Mr Florenz (PPE, D), Parliament approved the proposal for an amendment of the regulation on the approximation of the Member States' administrative measures for limiting the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations. However, it took the view that the proposed additions and modifications were insufficient and called for the inclusion of products whose marketing was prohibited or restricted for reasons to do with public health and/or the protection of the environment. By 178 votes to 95, with 3 abstentions, Parliament therefore called for the following substances to be included on the list: carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic substances, and those which contained creosote, coal-tar distillates, naphthalene and anthracene oils, chloroform, trichlorethane, tetrachlorethane, etc. �