Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin has welcomed the adoption of a Directive for a Europe-wide ban of TBT-based ship paints by EU member states as from 1 January, 2003. "I am gladthat our initiative to ban these toxic ship paints has met with success. Our request to ban the sale and the use of these chemicals which are harmful to both the environment and human health has thusbeen met. The ban on these substances which have an endocrine disrupting effect will substantially relieve the strain on the marine environment in particular. We will transpose the Directive quicklyinto German law", said the Environment Minister.
Tributyltin (TBT) belongs to the group of tin organic compounds. Its endocrine disrupting effects have been known for quite some time. Even in low concentrations TBT has lead to the development ofmale sex characteristics in female marine snails (imposex). Consequent infertility leads to the dying of entire populations. Currently an annual 1300 tons of TBT in ship paints is used in the EUalone.
For some time the German Ministry for the Environment has expressly demanded a ban on TBT at both EU and international level. Last year German Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin submitted aparallel domestic draft ordinance on a ban to the German Cabinet: After its adoption this draft was submitted to the EU for notification. However, the project was discontinued since the EU Commissionpresented a draft Directive for a Europe-wide ban in October 2001 after successful negotiations within the framework of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). Jürgen Trittin: "After thissuccess at EU level we must now quickly sign the respective IMO Convention in order to implement a global ban on these hazardous ship paints as soon as possible".
The EU Directive must be transposed into national law by October. This will require an amendment to the Prohibition of Chemicals Ordinance and the Ordinance on Dangerous Substances.