Industrial pollution: reduction of emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC)

1996/0276(SYN)
In adopting the report by Mr Christian CABROL (UPE, F), the European Parliament approved the proposal for a Directive on limitation of emissions of volatile organic compounds from industrial solvents, while at the same time rendering it more stringent. In its amendments, Parliament called for: - deletion of the exemption from the requirement to comply with these limit values for Member States which have already drawn up national emission reduction plans. The report considers it preferable to harmonize provisions, so that action can be taken throughout the Community and unfair competition can be avoided; - deletion of the provision permitting certain small and medium-sized installations to be subject to less strict limit values for emissions in many cases; - the application of preventive measures to protect the health of workers using solvents; - the option for Member States, by means of national legislation, to impose more stringent reductions in VOC emissions than required by the Directive; - Member States to be given two years to transpose the Directive after its adoption.�