Document 5bYorzO8Yr1dwEpe2pLoELxvz

* i w p e PRESSE-MEDDELELSE MITTEILUNG AH DIE PRESSE PRESS-RELEASE INFORMATION A LA PRESSE INFOIIMAZJONLALLA STAMPA MEOEDELIFIG AAN DE PERS Brussels, 13 February V)V) protecting the laivinoHffiJT against the di^itksal of toxic pcb coppouiffi Under the European Communities Programme for Action on the environ ment, the Connirjcion hr.a just forwarded to the Council a proposal for a directive- which should make possible the collection in the Community of a croup of particularly noxious toxic compounds (PCBn) for the purposes of regenerating ami/or destroying then. The danger of FCDs The PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) are a group of synthetic cubst.ancec vrhich are put to nany uses. At the present tire, they arc used particularly as liquid coolants, dielectric liquids in condensers and transformers and hydraulic liquids by reason of their excollent electrical insultaing proport. L- o f non-inflammability and stability. The accidental distribution of TCDu through out the environment has been widespread since 1930, the time when they first appeared on the market. Since that time, mere than half a million tonne3 have boon produced in the world. The omnunit.y*3 annual PCD consumption is estimated at 15,000 tonnes. Today, even though prrduction may have been lowed dovm, the increase in pollution duo to those compounds remains disquieting; they are even found, for example, in ice at the North Pole. In view of their non-biodogradability and their tendency to accumulate in living organisms, PCPs arc very insidious, particularly where chronic toxicity is concerned. A number of accidents have been reported in recent years, including the disease knovni as Yunho's disease (196O) in Japan, where about a thousand subjects became contaminated. Regulations on wastes ' At prc:;cn' , no Member State in the Community fine in force any specific set of regulations on PCBs. The Commission's proposal conus within the inpl* mentation of the Community's Programme for Action on the Environment, which provides that action be initiated in the field of industrial wastes and consumer residues. For its part, the French Government, has just notified the Commission of a draft Order on the conditions of use of PCUs. This draft directive is a first step in solving at Community level problems conncctcd^with toxic wastes. Within the next few wcoku, the Commission will present a report on such wastes. This report may possibly bo followed by a proposal for a directive. In jvirticulnr, a list of there wastes night bo drawn up. MGNS 060745 Initiatives in the field of toxic wantoo form part of 1 whole series of actions und- r+alron on the subject of toxic warier;. A proposal for an outline direct, ivt- on t.hi:; quitter was sent to U10 Council on 17 Goplcnhcr 1r>M and th-' work is pi"i . od [ ng, tfi< Cwiiriisnion believes, along fruitful., liner. This outline 2. directive might be supplemented by specific measures for certain classes of wastos. Apart from t xic wasto3, it should be noted that, on the 7 November, the Council adopted a directive on used oils* On 8 January, the Communion forwarded "to the Council a programme on the management ond storage of radioactive wastes. Moasuroc proposed Dispersive use (c.g., as plastifiors, is lubrication and cutting oils, or mixed with pesticides) will no longer be permitted after the Council has adopted the proposal for a directive which was forwarded to it by the Commission six months ago, concerning. rcptri,ct ipns^qrj tile ..marketing and ue-of cortain dangerous 'Substances~and preparationst , . ThtrStCpS' proposed by the Commission are designed to prohibit all discharging .or dumping of these compounds. To this end, Member Stater, are required to set up or appoint bodies whichwill havo special responsibility for the collection, regeneration and/or destruction of PCBk. Every three years, each of the Member ijtatoa will compile a report onjthe_stato of PCB. treatment in its territory. The noccsuary measures for implementing the directive will be applied within a period of 24 months from the time of its notification. MQNS 0607^6