UK assoc deplores curbs on wood preservatives

09 November 1999 10:11  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (CNI)--An angry attack has been launched on tight restrictions on the use of creosote and pentachlorophenol by Netherlands, Germany, Sweden and Denmark.

The curbs, which have recently been approved by the European Commission, have been attacked by the British Wood Preserving and Damp-Proofing Association, which represents the industry producing these two chemicals. Its director Chris Coggins views the measures as a "de facto ban."

He said: "We're extremely annoyed about this. Various member states in the EU (European Union) have sometimes for purely political reasons moved to restrict things like preservatives."

Coggins said that the move by the north Europeans was particularly galling, considering the fact that a proposed biocidal products directive is under discussion, which would establish a harmonised approach across the EU.

However, the Commission had little leeway to block the restrictive national measures, as the EU Treaty of Amsterdam allows member states to impose national restrictions that are tighter than those established under EU law, (in this case the dangerous substances and preparations directive), where they might promote good human heath and the environment.

By: Keith Nuthall
+44 20 8652 3214

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