Brussels, 14/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 14 February, the European Commission put forward a proposal to restrict the sale and use of paint strippers containing dichloromethane. Such paint removers are used in industry and are also sold in do-it-yourself stores accessible to the general public. Dichloromethane vapour is toxic to the central nervous system and the Commission's proposal follows concerns expressed by some experts that a number of accidents and fatalities in recent years in the EU have been linked to use of the substance.
The Commission therefore proposes to ban the sale of such paint strippers to the general public and professional users. However, taking account of other expert opinions that this substance may be safely used by professionals if adequate precautions are taken, member states may permit their purchase and use by licensed professionals who have received appropriate training. For industrial activities, their use will be permitted under strictly controlled conditions. The Commission initiative also corresponds to a concern for harmonisation as several EU member states have already put in place national measures to control the risks of dichloromethane in paint strippers. Germany has recently notified restriction measures to the Commission.
The Commission proposal aims to: - ban the use by consumers who are least aware of the dangers of dichloromethane and who have least access to protective equipment; - ban in general the use by professionals operating outside industrial premises (but member states can opt to allow further use by professionals with adequate training and license to operate); - increase protection of workers during industrial use of such paint strippers through compulsory use of protective equipment (gloves and masks) as well as the modification of the operational strip tanks and adequate ventilation at the workplace; - and avoid further divergent actions by member states which create obstacles to the internal market without benefit for the protection of all European citizens. (O.L.)