Brussels, 21/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 21 June, Françoise Grossetête MEP (EPP) said that she was delighted with the decision by the EP's environment, public health and food safety committee, at the vote that took place on 20 June, to reject the draft resolution to ban lead crystal jewellery. The European Commission had proposed an amendment to the annex of the REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) but kept in its proposal the exemption on lead crystal jewellery.
Two EPP MEPs, Richard Seeber and Peter Liese, joined forces with Carl Schlyter and Eva Lichtenberger (Greens/EFA), as well as Kartika Tamara Liotard (GUE/NGL) to extend the ban on the jewellery included in the Commission's proposal. They argued that this jewellery presented a risk to child health. Those close to Grossetête explained that these MEPs had simply been receptive to the arguments of certain lead-free jewellery companies whose intention was purely “industrial and commercial” and an opportunity to “get rid of their competitors”. The European Commission and the European Chemical Products Agency explained to MEPs that this kind of jewellery was in no way harmful to health.
The ban presented a certain threat, however, to European lead crystal jewellery makers and many jewellery makers in France. A third of the production in France is based on lead crystal. The MEPs' rejection of the proposal means that “hundreds of jobs” will be saved.
“Following a heated debate”, MEPs rejected the proposal to ban lead-based crystal jewellery by 29 votes against, 12 in favour, with one abstention. (EL/transl.fl)