EC moves to ban PAH-rich extenders in tyres by 2008

By Patrick Raleigh ERJ On-line news editor

Brussels-The European Commission has adopted a proposal to phase out the marketing and use of many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) extender oils for the production of tyres.

The ban, which covers extenders containing over 10mg/kg of listed PAHs will take effect from the end of 2008, the EC announced 16 Feb. PAH-rich extender oils are particularly important for the production of summer tyres and high-speed rated tyres.

The Commission's proposal is intended to improve public health protection, according to Erkki Liikanen, the EC's Enterprise Commissioner, in a press statement.

“At the same time,” said Liikanen, “we are giving European oil and tyre industries the opportunity to test alternative extender oils by allowing the affected extender oils to be phased out during a transitional period up to 31 December 2008.”

The tyre industry has already agreed to stop using PAH-rich extender oils over the next few years, the EC statement noted. PAHs are potential carcinogens and the phase out is in line with the opinion of the EC Scientific Committee and the UN Convention on persistent organic pollutants, it added.

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Official EU press release

Download Commission proposals