Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 12 Jul 1990

Vol. 401 No. 6

Written Answers. - EC Eco-Labelling System.

Eamon Gilmore

Question:

164 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment the specific steps taken by the Irish Presidency of the EC to introduce a Community eco-labelling system; and when he intends to introduce legislation to provide for eco-labelling in Ireland.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

At a meeting with the Commission in January 1990 and in subsequent correspondence, the Irish Presidency pressed for the prompt submission to the Council of a proposal on a Community eco-labelling system. A Resolution on Waste Policy, advanced by the Irish Presidency and adopted by the Council of Environment Ministers on 22 March 1990, brought the matter further by inviting the Commission to come forward as soon as possible with proposals for ecological criteria for products and a supplementary Community-wide eco-labelling system.

The first meeting of a Commission working group to devise a proposal to set up a Community eco-labelling system took place in March 1990. Ireland was represented at the meeting. The proposal is nearing completion and is expected to be submitted to the Council in the autumn. Should there be undue delay in introducing a Community scheme, I will review the question of introducing a separate national scheme.