Brussels, 19/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Union now has new rules to help it put an end to the beaching and unregulated scrapping of its old boats in developing countries and guarantee that the materials on board are duly listed and are treated appropriately throughout the world.
The Council of the EU formally adopted the amended regulation guaranteeing that, in the future, the scrapping of old European flagged boats exclusively takes place in facilities that are safe for workers and are environmentally sound. The amendment will also ensure that an inventory of all materials on board every EU boat is taken, to ensure appropriate recycling procedures throughout the world. The adoption of this text took place without debate on the sidelines of the Ecofin Council on 15 November. The go-ahead given on 24 October last by Parliament for the agreement negotiated with the Council in a first reading allowed this progress to be made (see EUROPE 10948).
This regulation stipulates the drawing up of a European list of appropriate recycling facilities and will guarantee that all hazardous materials contained in the ships are correctly managed throughout the recycling process, to prevent any negative impact on the environment or the health of the workers involved. All boats, including those calling at an EU member state port or moored in one, will be obliged to draw up an inventory of hazardous materials. The idea of a demolition fund financed by the industry was rejected, much to the consternation of environmental NGOs. (AN/transl.fl)