§ Norman BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to phase out the use of perchloroethylene by businesses and industries, with particular reference to dry cleaners. [99209]
§ Alun Michael1 have been asked to reply.
A risk assessment of perchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene), conducted under the Existing Substances Regulation (European Community Council Regulation No. 793/93) is being led by the United Kingdom. The Health and Safety Executive acts jointly with my Department to form the United Kingdom Competent Authority for these activities. The risk assessment will critically evaluate the risks to the environment, workers, consumers and the general public from exposure to perchloroethylene. The risk assessment includes exposure as a result of dry cleaning operations.
At present, the human health sections of the draft report are being updated to take account of new information. Once the risk assessment is finalised, the United Kingdom Competent Authority will consider whether further measures beyond those currently in place are required to control exposure to perchloroethylene. Proposals for marketing and use 526W restrictions are one of a number of further measures that can be considered under the Existing Substances Regulation.
The Solvents Emissions Directive (1999/13/EC) places limits on emissions of solvents used in a number of processes, including dry cleaning. It also sets timetables for the replacement by less harmful substances of those solvents used in these processes that have been assigned to a risk phrase of R45, R46, R49, R60, or R61. The Directive has already been partly transposed. I expect to begin consultations soon on how the remaining parts of this Directive will be transposed, including the provisions applying to the dry cleaning sector.