MEPs back plans for new asbestos laws aimed at protecting workers

Date: 04/04/02

MEPS have backed European Commission proposals for a new EU asbestos directive which will improve workers' protection from the potentially deadly substance.

Although member states agreed to a ban on asbestos production in 1999, it is not due to come into effect until 2005.

Millions of tonnes of the substance still exist in buildings, industrial plants and railway carriages built in the 1950s and 60s when it was used as a fire retardant. It is safe when sealed, but demolition or repair work causes a serious risk of exposure to asbestos dust.

The planned directive has already been endorsed by the Council of Ministers.

• The European Commission's Berlaymont headquarters in Brussels was closed in 1991 for a major refit after 1,400 tonnes of asbestos used in the walls and ceilings began breaking up.

The refurbishment work has cost €635 million to date and the building is not expected to reopen until late 2003.

The Commission is still being pursued by former employees who say that their health has been damaged as a result of working in the building.

European Commission proposals for a new EU asbestos directive which will improve workers' protection from the potentially deadly substance won the support of the European Parliament in April 2002. The planned Directive has already been endorsed by the Council of Ministers.