Health and environment: use of nonylphenol, nonylphenol ethoxylate and cement (26th amend. Directive 76/769/EEC)

The European Parliament adopted a resolution amending the Commission's proposal. The rapporteur was Paul LANNOYE (Greens/EFA, Belgium). The main amendments were as follows: - in order to further protect the environment, the Commission is asked to consider an amendment to Directive 86/278/EEC with a view to establishing a concentration limit value on NP and NPE in sewage sludge that is to be spread on land; - the restriction concerning co-formulants in pesticides and biocides will be without prejudice to the validity of existing national authorisations of plant protection products containing NPE as a co-formulant, which have been granted before the entry into force of the Directive, until they expire; - individual protection measures are necessary but not sufficient to prevent skin contact with cement. The use of cement preparations containing more than 2 ppm Chromium VI is restricted in the case of activities where there is a possibility of contact with the skin. Parliament has added an amendment stating that in controlled closed and totally automated processes, this is not the case, and they are to be exempted. Reducing agents should be used at the earliest possible stage, i.e. at the point of cement production; - in order to further protect human health, the Commission is asked to consider establishing a binding occupational exposure limit value for dust; - the Commission is asked to establish a harmonised testing method for this Directive, without delaying the entry into force of the legislation.�