‘Greens’ angry about PVC policy

Date: 24/07/1997

By Michael Mann

GREEN campaigners are looking to Environment Commissioner Ritt Bjerregaard to tighten restrictions on the use of PVC, after a planned phase-out of the material was left out of new rules on vehicle recycling adopted by the European Commission earlier this month.

An initial proposal to ban the use of polyvinyl chloride in cars by 2002 was eventually dropped as part of a compromise forged between Commission departments on the controversial plan.

Environmentalists reacted angrily to the decision. “The Commission has bowed to the USA and the PVC industry and weakened what were originally strong proposals. Once again, the EU has surrendered environmental and health protection to commercial and economic interests,” said Axel Singhofen of Greenpeace.

An initial version of the draft directive on 'end-of-life' vehicles called for the total phase-out of PVC in cars by 2002, but the final text merely pledged to review “policy regarding the presence of PVC in waste streams and come forward with proposals to address problems which may arise”.

Greenpeace claims the recycling of PVC-contaminated steel and the burning of PVC waste in incinerators leads to the generation of dioxins, which are both hormone disrupters and carcinogens.

PVC is used to coat the underbodies of cars, in many interior fittings and in much of the cabling found in the 8-9 million cars scrapped annually in the Union.

Industrial interests expressed concern about PVC being phased out in one particular sector. The European Council of Vinyl Manufacturers claimed this “could have a negative impact on PVC's product reputation and therefore endanger markets and thousands of jobs”, and stressed that the light and durable material helped keep car prices and fuel consumption down.

A ban on the use of PVC in one sector would have huge implications for all other users. Commission officials said that it made no sense to insist on restrictions in cars alone when that sector accounted for just 8&percent; of total PVC use in the EU.

Green campaigners are optimistic that Bjerregaard is on their side, but are less sure what form action on a cross-sectoral basis might take. Commission officials said they were keeping all their options open.