§ 41. Mr. Ottawayasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the state of discussions with the United Kingdom's European partners over the adoption of uniform regulations concerning asbestos.
§ Mr. GummerThe two European Community directives on asbestos — 83/477/EEC: 83/478/EEC—which were adopted on 19 September 1983 achieved a fairly large measure of harmonised control in this area.
The Asbestos (Worker Protection) Directive — 83/477/EEC—introduces a number of measures for the control of exposure to asbestos at the workplace. In particular, it sets maximum exposure limits for crocidolite 467W and other types of asbestos, which are subject to review by the Council before 1 January 1990. However, member states may adopt more stringent measures for the protection of workers. The United Kingdom has, since 1970, been operating a stricter limit fr crocidolite—blue asbestos—and in August last year the Health and Safety Commission decided, in the light of a review of the medical effects of asbestos — Asbestos: Acheson and Gardner: HMSO 1983 — to introduce from 1 August 1984 new lower limits for chrysotile—white asbestos—and amosite — brown asbestos. The Government are conscious of the need to encourage our partners in the Community to give their own workers the level of protection justified by the new evidence and to minimise the competitive disadvantage to our own industry. The Government will therefore be seeking their agreement to an early review of the asbestos exposure limits in the directive.
The Asbestos (Marketing and Use) Directive — 83/478/EEC — prohibits the marketing and use of crocidolite and products containing it and introduces a harmonised labelling scheme for all asbestos products. Discussions are continuing in Europe on a further proposal concerning the prohibition of specific products and processes involving asbestos. It is, however, too early to give precise details of the possible scope and application of any eventual Community legislation.