Brussels, 24/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - The Council has adopted without debate the regulation banning organotin compounds on all ships entering a Community port. Measures proposed (ban of paints containing active TBT, inspection visits, recognition of AFS certificates) will apply to Community vessels three months after the regulation has taken effect or on 1 July 2003 and for all the other vessels from 1 January 2008.
The regulation aims to reduce the adverse environmental effect of anti-fouling paint used on ships and to encourage the Member States to ratify the AFS Convention - the international convention on the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships from 5 October 2001. Last December, the Council reached a political agreement, approving the amendment of the European Parliament which amended the date when measures for Member State ships take effect, as proposed by the European Commission (1 January 2003).