Motion for a resolution - B9-0071/2020Motion for a resolution
B9-0071/2020
European Parliament

MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Commission delegated regulation of 4 October 2019 amending, for the purposes of its adaptation to technical and scientific progress, Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures and correcting that Regulation

22.1.2020 - (C(2019)07227 – 2019/2843(DEA))

pursuant to Rule 111(3) of the Rules of Procedure

Anna Zalewska
on behalf of the ECR Group

B9‑0071/2020

European Parliament resolution on the Commission delegated regulation of 4 October 2019 amending, for the purposes of its adaptation to technical and scientific progress, Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures and correcting that Regulation

(C(2019)07227 – 2019/2843(DEA))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Commission delegated regulation of 4 October 2019 amending, for the purposes of its adaptation to technical and scientific progress, Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and the Council on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures and correcting that Regulation (C(2019)07227),

– having regard to Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC, and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006[1], and in particular Articles 37(5), 53(1) and 53a(6) thereof,

– having regard to the principle of proportionality enshrined in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union and Protocol No 2 on the application of the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to Rule 111(3) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a widespread naturally occurring oxide of titanium existing in a number of crystalline forms, including rutile, brookite and anatase;

B. whereas TiO2 is an inert, thermally stable, non-combustible, insoluble compound, which is not classified as hazardous under the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals;

C. whereas TiO2, due to its ability to scatter light and absorb ultraviolet light, has been extensively used as a colourant for more than a century creating a global market whose value is anticipated to be in excess of EUR 25 billion in 2025;

D. whereas TiO2 is commonly applied in a wide variety of sectors including cosmetics, medicines, ceramics, packaging, construction, automotive components and electric and electronic equipment;

E. whereas at the 14th adaptation to technical progress of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (the ‘CLP Regulation’), the Commission proposed a harmonized classification of TiO2 as a category 2 carcinogen for mixtures in powder form, despite the supporting evidence providing an inadequate Klimisch data reliability score, firm opposition from many Member States citing concerns with the scientific evidence base, and the potential negative ramifications set by this precedent in the classification of other powder-based compounds;

F. whereas Article 37(5) of the CLP Regulation states that the Commission shall without undue delay adopt delegated acts concerning the inclusion of the substance concerned together with the relevant classification and labelling elements in Table 3.1 of Part 3 of Annex VI, if it finds that the harmonisation of the classification and labelling of that substance is ‘appropriate’; the CLP Regulation therefore does not establish an obligation on the Commission to proceed with the harmonised classification, but instead provides that the Commission should also consider alternative solutions;

G. whereas Article 5 of Protocol No 2 states, inter alia, that ‘Draft legislative acts shall take account of the need for any burden, whether financial or administrative, falling upon the Union, national governments, regional or local authorities, economic operators and citizens, to be minimised and commensurate with the objective to be achieved’;

H. whereas the Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council[2] (the ‘REACH Regulation’) rejected 1A and 1B carcinogenicity classifications based on the fact that the adverse effects of TiO2 on rat lungs, when overloaded, are not its intrinsic feature but are linked to its powder form which poses a risk following a long period of inhalation of extreme concentrations (250 mg/m3) for over 18 months, due to its low solubility in the lungs;

I. whereas that conclusion was largely based on a study conducted on rats[3]; whereas the authors of that study and the RAC under the REACH Regulation stated ‘there is no convincing scientific evidence to question the human relevance of observed rat lung adenocarcinomas’; whereas some reputable contributors during the public consultation process in relation to the adaptation to technical progress, such as the German work accident insurance association, stated they have ‘no evidence of lung cancer cases in workplaces working with titanium dioxide’[4]; whereas workplace exposure standards for TiO2 could be introduced by way of harmonised occupational exposure limits (OELs) within the framework of occupational health and safety legislation, as many Member States and other stakeholders have proposed;

J. whereas there are potential downstream effects from this carcinogenicity classification for products containing TiO2 in solid and liquid form which, despite being rigorously tested for their safety, may be stigmatised as potentially being unsafe; whereas this could mislead consumers and create business uncertainty;

K. whereas the carcinogenicity classification is inconsistent with the prevailing innovation context existing in many scientific disciplines and could potentially end the use of TiO2 in environmental applications for air and water purification, atmosphere cooling solutions and reducing the concentration of toxic and harmful substances[5][6][7];

L. whereas recycling and reuse in a circular economy could also be negatively affected as the classification would establish new obligations for the treatment and disposal of waste containing 1 % or more of TiO2 (i.e. in plastics, wallpaper, paint residues, porcelain and furniture), as this would be classified as hazardous, even where there is no potential risk to human health; whereas there are at present no commercially viable alternatives that ensure a high level of protection of human health which also maintain the efficacy and functionality of TiO2;

M. whereas TiO2 is being assessed in accordance with the REACH Regulation and this process will provide a more comprehensive and detailed evaluation;

1. Objects to the Commission delegated regulation;

2. Considers that the Commission delegated regulation should not have been adopted in accordance with the CLP Regulation, given that it applies to substances that are hazardous due to their individual properties and a more comprehensive and detailed evaluation of TiO2 is still in progress under the REACH Regulation;

3. Considers that the Commission delegated regulation goes beyond what is necessary and proportionate to address possible health risks arising from workplace exposure to TiO2 powder and risks stigmatising the substance in other forms as being unsafe;

4. Calls on the Commission to withdraw the delegated regulation and to consider other options such as a harmonised occupational exposure limit (OEL) for TiO2 within the framework of the occupational health legislation;

5. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and to notify it that the delegated regulation cannot enter into force;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

 

Last updated: 22 January 2020
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