Strasbourg, 11/04/2002 (Agence Europe) - With the adoption of the report by Belgian Liberal Frédérique Ries, the European Parliament confirmed its vote in first reading on the 24th amendment to the 1976 directive on restricted marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations. The Parliament therefore amended the Council's common position concerning penta bromodiphenylether. Contrary to the opinion of the European Commission, which takes refuge behind the lack of risk assessment, the Parliament maintains its request aimed at imposing restrictions on octobromide and decabromide derivatives of diphenylether. The ban would be on the marketing of substances and preparations with concentrations above 0.1%. Speaking of decabromide derivatives, the ban would take effect on 1 January 2006 except if the risk assessment gives no reason for concern. Diphenylether is mainly used as a flame retardant.