Proposal for a Council Decision authorising Member States to ratify, in the interests of the European Union, the Convention concerning Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work, 1990, of the International Labour Organization (Convention No 170)

Convention No 170 concerning Safety in the Use of Chemicals at Work ("the Chemicals Convention No.170") was adopted at the 77th Session of the International Labour Conference on 25 June 1990 and entered into force on 4 November 1993. The purpose of the Convention is the prevention and reduction of chemically induced illnesses and injuries at work, and the Convention shall also enhance the protection of the general public and the environment. As of June 2012, the Convention has been ratified by 17 state parties to the ILO. It is among the ILO Conventions that have been classified by the ILO as up to date and are therefore actively promoted.

The European Union (EU) is committed to promote the decent work agenda, both internally and in its external relations. Labour standards are a core element of the concept of decent work. The ratification of ILO Conventions by Member States thus sends an important signal as to the coherence of the Union's policy in improving labour standards worldwide. It is therefore necessary that any legal impediments for ratification by Member States be removed at the level of the EU for such Conventions, the substance of which does not cause concern in the light of the existing Union acquis.

The aim of this proposal is therefore to authorise Member States to ratify, in the interests of the Union, those parts of the Chemicals Convention No.170 that fall under Union competence.

EUR-Lex: COM(2012)677: Follow the progress of this document through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2012:677:FIN

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