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From Heritage Link today:
EU Paint Stripper Ban: Heritage Railway Association calls for wider support
The EU Proposed Paint Stripper Ban situation continues to develop and a vote is now anticipated in January. It looks as though the ban may go through and the advice from Heritage Railway Association, Vice President, Brian Simpson MEP, is to redouble lobbying efforts. In the UK HRA is sounding the alarm with the Association of Independent Museums, the Museums Association and the Group of National Museum Directors but wants to mobilise the rest of the heritage movement, both built and mobile, to lobby their MEPs.
The EU is proposing to ban the sale of paint strippers containing dichloromethane (DCM) to commercial users (i.e. the general public) and, due to the perceived difficulties of Member States in implementing an acceptable training and licensing system for professional users (contractors, conservators etc), are proposing to ban the sale to professional users as well; although industrial users, under strictly controlled conditions, may not be restricted. The HRA has found no evidence of any significant risk to its members from the use of these products providing the appropriate instructions for use are followed. It believes the risks to the health of users of any alternative products are greater than those from the use of DCM. The HRA is calling for the proposal to be rejected entirely or that individual member states be allowed to derogate the application of the ban where appropriate precautions are in place.
The proposal will be put to the vote during the period 12 to 15 January in Strasbourg. If you have interests in this issue, HRA is urging you to ensure that your MEP is aware of your concerns by 8 January 2009 at latest. For more information see the HRA’s statement which will shortly be posted at http://www.heritagerailways.com/hra.html
EU Paint Stripper Ban: Heritage Railway Association calls for wider support
The EU Proposed Paint Stripper Ban situation continues to develop and a vote is now anticipated in January. It looks as though the ban may go through and the advice from Heritage Railway Association, Vice President, Brian Simpson MEP, is to redouble lobbying efforts. In the UK HRA is sounding the alarm with the Association of Independent Museums, the Museums Association and the Group of National Museum Directors but wants to mobilise the rest of the heritage movement, both built and mobile, to lobby their MEPs.
The EU is proposing to ban the sale of paint strippers containing dichloromethane (DCM) to commercial users (i.e. the general public) and, due to the perceived difficulties of Member States in implementing an acceptable training and licensing system for professional users (contractors, conservators etc), are proposing to ban the sale to professional users as well; although industrial users, under strictly controlled conditions, may not be restricted. The HRA has found no evidence of any significant risk to its members from the use of these products providing the appropriate instructions for use are followed. It believes the risks to the health of users of any alternative products are greater than those from the use of DCM. The HRA is calling for the proposal to be rejected entirely or that individual member states be allowed to derogate the application of the ban where appropriate precautions are in place.
The proposal will be put to the vote during the period 12 to 15 January in Strasbourg. If you have interests in this issue, HRA is urging you to ensure that your MEP is aware of your concerns by 8 January 2009 at latest. For more information see the HRA’s statement which will shortly be posted at http://www.heritagerailways.com/hra.html