Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 3

Written Answers. - EU Instruments.

Ivor Callely

Question:

73 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if he will give details of the EU Directives, Regulations and Conventions in respect of which his Department has responsibility and which have not been transposed into or made part of Irish law; and the timescale for completion of the work in respect of each instrument. [25112/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The information requested by the Deputy is in the following tabular form:

Transposition of Directives Department of Health

Title and Number of Directive	Due date for implementation	Timetable for implementation
European Parliament and Council Directive 94/34/EC of 30 June 1994 amending Directive 89/107/EEC on the approximation of laws of member states concerning food additives authorised for use in foodstuffs intended for human consumption.	Date to be advised by Council	Awaiting developments
Commission Directive 96/4/EC of 16 February 1996 amending Directive 91/321/EEC on infant formulae and follow-on formulae.	31 March 1997	On Schedule
Commission Directive 96/5/EC of 16 February 1996 on processed cereal based foods and baby-foods for infants and young children.	30 September 1997	On Schedule
Commission Directive 96/8/EC of 26 February 1996 on foods intended for use in energy-restricted diets for weight reduction.	30 September 1997	On Schedule
Council Directive 93/43/EEC of 14 June 1993 on the hygiene of foodstuffs	14 December 1995	January 1997
Commission Directive 96/3/EC of 26 January 1996 granting a derogation from certain provisions of Directive 93/43/EEC on the hygiene of foodstuffs	12 February 1996	January 1997
Directive 95/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 1995 on Food Additives other than Colours and Sweeteners	25 September 1996	January 1997
Council Directive 93/35/EEC of 14 June 1993 amending for the Sixth time Directive 76/768/EEC on the approximation of the Laws of the member states relating to cosmetic products	Previously 14 June 1995. Postponed until December 1995	Drafting of Regulations in progress and will be completed as soon as possible

Brief Background Note:

This Directive updates Directive 76/768/EEC as amended. It requires the establishment by the European Commission of an inventory of those substances which may be used in the manufacture of cosmetic products. Evaluation reports on the products to be held by the manufacturing companies. The Directive also requires the full disclosure of ingredients contained in cosmetic products.

Many difficulties have been experienced in relation to this Directive particularly in relation to the establishment of the inventory which includes the common nomenclature and which is required by the industry for full labelling. The inventory has now been established.

The industry requires a minimum of two years to comply with the Directive. Because of the delays in drawing up the inventory and other circumstances outside the control of the Commission and the member states, the Commission has agreed that Article 169 procedures would not be considered during an agreed extra six months required to achieve full compliance. The new dates, therefore, for compliance by the industry are 1 July 1997 (replacing 1 January 1997) and 30 June 1998 (replacing 31 December 1997).

Transposition of Directives Department of Health

Title and Number of Directive	Due date for implementation	Timetable for implementation
84/466/EURATOM	1/1/1986	Draft documentation previously furnished to the Commission has been confirmed as acceptable by the Commission. Format for a legally binding measure is being drafted and will be forwarded to Commission in due course for clearance.