Brussels, 29/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - The road is now open for the adoption, in 2012, of the new directive, known as Seveso III, which will update and strengthen the rules on preventing major industrial accidents involving dangerous substances in the EU.
The permanent representatives of member states (Coreper) endorsed, on Wednesday 28 March, the compromise negotiated in trialogue with the European Parliament on review of the legislation (amendment of Directive 96/82/EC, the Seveso II directive). The result of intense negotiation, the text of the informal agreement brings Annex I of the directive into line with the European system for classifying dangerous substances by integrating the entry into force of the regulations CLP (classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures) and REACH (registration, evaluation and authorisation of chemical substances). It strengthens provisions concerning public access to information on security, participation in the decision-making process and access to justice. At the same time, it improves the collection, management and sharing of information. The compromise also introduces more stringent norms for the inspection of installations in order to ensure security rules are implemented.
Once the European Parliament has given its position in first reading, as it is due to do during the June plenary session, the directive may be once more formally adopted by Council this year. The European Commission's initial proposal dates back to December 2010. (AN/transl.jl)