European titanium dioxide rules readied for change

The European commission has proposed simplifying EU rules on waste from the titanium dioxide industry through a consultation launched on 4 January.  The plan is the latest in a series affecting EU environmental legislation under the union's wide-ranging better regulation initiative (ED 26/10/05 http://www.environmentdaily.com/articles/index.cfm?action=article&ref=19704).

The commission recommends rolling three directives passed between 1978 and 1992 into a single legal text.  The door is also being opened on the possibility of deleting some current requirements in order to lift "unnecessary" burdens on industry, as long as this does not reduce environmental protection standards, an official told Environment Daily.

Under the directives the industry cannot discharge, dump or store titanium dioxide waste without authorisation.  These activities are subject to regular monitoring and restricted to specific limit values.  The rules cover emissions to water, land and air.

The commission proposes deleting a number of clauses and deadlines it says are now obsolete due to the passage of time.  It also recommends simplifying various definitions.  Stakeholders are also invited to recommend whether substantive requirements, for example on monitoring or reporting by affected companies, should be further simplified or abandoned.

Respondents have until 15 March to submit views.  The commission hopes to make a formal proposal to the council and parliament by the end of the year.

Titanium dioxide is a white pigment used mainly in paints, printing inks, paper and plastic products.  EU chemical industry association Cefic calculates that the sector - led by firms including Huntsman, Kemira and Kronos - has invested some ?1.4bn in environmental protection over the past two decades.

Follow-up: European Commission http://europa.eu.int/comm/index_en.htm,

tel: +32 2 299 1111, plus titanium dioxide page http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/titanium.htm,

consultation http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/pdf/consult_dioxide.pdf

and EU TiO2 manufacturers http://www.cefic.be/Templates/shwAssocDetails.asp?NID=473&HID=25&ID=173.

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