ECO-LABEL: CRITERIA FOR DISH-WASHING DETERGENTS.

The European Commission finds itself at odds with the Member States over the issue of defining ecological criteria for awarding the EU eco-label for dish-washing detergents. A row has apparently broken out among the countries over the maximum level of chlorinated compounds authorised for these products. Under the terms of the draft Decision the Commission submitted to the Regulatory Committee, a strict limit of 0.1% is specified for active chlorinated compounds.

At the end of the Committee talks on this matter, no majority support could be mustered for the proposal: France, Spain, Greece and the United Kingdom voted against what they thought was too tough a proposal (they wanted the limit withdrawn or relaxed). Germany voted against because it would like a total ban on the agents, whilst Austria abstained...