./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TBT/Notif.99.195
22 April 1999
(99-1648)
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade
NOTIFICATION
The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6.
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  THE NETHERLANDS
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):           
2. Agency responsible:  Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment
Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification shall be
indicated if different from above: National Enquiry Point – EC WTO-TBT Enquiry Point         
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [ X ], 2.10.1 [    ], 5.6.2 [    ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:           
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):  Short-chained chlorinated
paraffins
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Draft Decree on
Chlorinated Paraffins under the Act on Environmentally Hazardous Substances (Dutch
designation: Wms)
6. Description of content:  The provisions are intended to decrease the use of short-chained
chlorinated paraffins in accordance with Parcom Decree 95/1.  As of 31 December 1999,
short-chained chlorinated paraffins may no longer be used for the following purposes:
- As softening agents in paints, coatings and adhesives;
- in oils used for treating metals;
- as flame retardants in rubbers, plastics and textiles.
However, short-chained chlorinated paraffins may continue to be used for the
following purposes until 31 December 2004:
- As softening agents in adhesives for use in dams; and
- as flame retardants in rubbers, plastics and textiles used in conveyor belts
exclusively intended for use in mining.
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable:  The
provisions are aimed at decreasing pollution of the aquatic environment by organohalogenic
compounds, including short-chained chlorinated paraffins.  These substances can also bio-
accumulate in certain organisms.  Short-chained chlorinated paraffins can cause tumours inrats and mice.
8. Relevant documents:  Article 24 of the Act on Environmentally Hazardous
Substances/Parcom Decree 95/1G/TBT/Notif.99.195
Page 2
9. Proposed date of adoption:  1 November 1999
Proposed date of entry into force:  31 December 1999
10. Final date for comments:  9 June 1999
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [ X ] or address, e-mail and telefax number of
the other body:           