Brussels, 12/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European medical technology industry association (ECOMED), has launched a joint appeal with representatives of patients and medical professionals calling for the European Union to set standards for the recycling of single use medical devices. This appeal, which is presented in the form of a manifesto aims to protect patients and personnel in hospitals. It is based on the view that despite the increase in hospital-acquired infections, antibiotic resistance and life-threatening transmissible diseases, many hospitals reuse single-use medical devices (catheters, guidewires and biopsy forceps). The risk of cross-infection is increased and it is extremely difficult, indeed impossible to completely clean these instruments. Recent studies showed blood residues and dirt, as well as physical damage and physical alterations on samples after they were used. Several countries: France, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom have already adopted legislative measures in view of regulating or outlawing these practices that still remain widespread. The manifesto, which can be consulted on the eu.comed.org web-site was adopted following a meeting organised by British Conservative John Bowis a the European Parliament last April. It was approved by EUCOMED, the Patients Association, the European Medical Association, the International Alliance of Patients' Organisations, the Standing Committee of Hospitals of the European Union.