Detergents Speech by John Purvis MEP - Draftsman of Opinion

European Parliament 10 April 2003

The Industry Committee welcomes this directive. It will completely overhaul and modernise legislation concerning detergents. It is an advance for producers and consumers, as well as the environment. We did, however, identify certain shortcomings which, I am glad to say, will be rectified by many of the proposed amendments in Mr Nobilia's report.

The Commission proposal does not differentiate between, for example, a laundry product made and marketed by an international company in large quantities for a mass consumer market and, on the other hand, a niche product made in small quantities, often by SMEs, for specialised applications such as cleaning dairy equipment or operating theatre equipment. The former can readily follow the draft's provisions with its testing processes and derogation procedures. There are always ample alternatives. But for the small specialised product this can be a brick wall which eliminates a useful, even essential, product.

I am therefore pleased that the Environment Committee has accepted the gist of our proposal for a tiered derogation procedure which such producers can invoke. We also proposed a sunset clause so that the comitology procedure will automatically lapse after 8 years and be renewed only if appropriate at that time. This is based on the procedure first introduced in the financial services area in order for Parliament to keep some measure of control over the burgeoning comitology system which is developing in the EU.

On behalf of the Industry Committee I am pleased to recommend support for Mr Nobilia's report but would suggest that amendments 5, 15, 20, 33 and 40 unduly overlap other relevant legislation and should be rejected. Nor can we support the amendments lodged by the Greens at the last minute. Otherwise we can wholeheartedly support Mr Nobilia's report.

Link to report.