Directive 2004/42/EC on VOCs: UNIEP’s response on the European Commission’s impact assessment






UNIEP has elaborated a response regarding Directive 2004/42/EC on VOCs

In summary, the following answer focuses on four key points:
1.     UNIEP supports the CEPE response.
2.     UNIEP supports the current levels of VOC reduction in principle from the 2004 Directive and our Members are leading improvements to health and safety generally in the trade. UNIEP also encourages improvements to the environment.
3.     UNIEP strongly suggests a formal impact assessment on the improvements in health from the 2004 Directive as EU information suggests a geographical difference in improvements (ie Southern Europe). As such, a targeted approach in future may be more efficient and effective.
4.     UNIEP is unable to provide answers to the 22 questions due to shortage of consultation time, new materials not being universally available and more importantly the 2004 Directive has not been fully implemented yet. UNIEP will assist in collating further information after 2010 when the impact can be assessed.