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Sat, May 26 2012
European Parliament updates electrical goods safety list
A baby doll and a pair of plastic handcuffs are seen on display at a news conference where the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) announced its 25th annual Trouble in Toyland report, in Washington November 23, 2010. The new report reveals the results of the consumer advocacy group's laboratory testing for toxic chemicals, and identifies toys that PIRG says pose choking and other hazards. The doll, manufacturer unknown, is an example of toys that the group says contains phthalates and the plastic handcuffs, manufacturer unknown, is an example of toys that the group says may contain toxic antimony
Photo: Reuters
Italy's Member of the European Parliament Licia Ronzulli takes part with her baby in a voting session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, September 22 2010.
Photo: Reuters
Rules banning certain hazardous substances are set to be extended to more types of electronic and electrical equipment, including talking teddy bears and lab equipment, following a vote by members of the European Parliament on November 24 2010.
The update to EU legislation, agreed with EU member states, also foresees a review that could consider adding new substances to the current blacklist, a European Parliament media statement said.
Discarded and broken electrical appliances and electronic gadgets are the EU's fastest-growing type of waste, according to the statement.
"Hazardous substances in these goods can pose risks to health and the environment, particularly if they end up in incinerators or substandard recycling facilities in developing countries."
The vote (640 in favour, three against and 12 abstentions) formalises MEPs’ approval of an agreement recently reached with the European Council on updating existing legislation for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electronic and electrical equipment (EEE).
MEPs successfully argued for all EEE to be covered by the rules, unless specifically excluded from their scope.
Phones, fridges, TVs and most other EEE found around the home are already covered by existing legislation.
But extending the rules' scope will mean some products, such as some talking teddy bears and lab equipment, will need to conform for the first time, following a transition period of eight years. Photovoltaic solar panels, fixed industrial machinery and military material are among equipment that will remain outside the rules.
The updated legislation will not immediately add new substances to the current blacklist of six, which includes lead, cadmium and mercury.
The European Commission will, however, conduct a review three years after the legislation is published. At the insistence of MEPs, nanomaterials are cited as due for further scientific scrutiny.
Specific uses of blacklisted substances may be permitted if this is in the overall interest of health and consumer safety and if there are no reliable alternatives. Any such exemptions will however be time-limited and subject to a stricter reapplication process, the statement said.
The update to EU legislation, agreed with EU member states, also foresees a review that could consider adding new substances to the current blacklist, a European Parliament media statement said.
Discarded and broken electrical appliances and electronic gadgets are the EU's fastest-growing type of waste, according to the statement.
"Hazardous substances in these goods can pose risks to health and the environment, particularly if they end up in incinerators or substandard recycling facilities in developing countries."
The vote (640 in favour, three against and 12 abstentions) formalises MEPs’ approval of an agreement recently reached with the European Council on updating existing legislation for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electronic and electrical equipment (EEE).
MEPs successfully argued for all EEE to be covered by the rules, unless specifically excluded from their scope.
Phones, fridges, TVs and most other EEE found around the home are already covered by existing legislation.
But extending the rules' scope will mean some products, such as some talking teddy bears and lab equipment, will need to conform for the first time, following a transition period of eight years. Photovoltaic solar panels, fixed industrial machinery and military material are among equipment that will remain outside the rules.
The updated legislation will not immediately add new substances to the current blacklist of six, which includes lead, cadmium and mercury.
The European Commission will, however, conduct a review three years after the legislation is published. At the insistence of MEPs, nanomaterials are cited as due for further scientific scrutiny.
Specific uses of blacklisted substances may be permitted if this is in the overall interest of health and consumer safety and if there are no reliable alternatives. Any such exemptions will however be time-limited and subject to a stricter reapplication process, the statement said.
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Appointments
Employment Agency
Kamelia Lozanova has been appointed the executive director of the Employment Agency, a position she has held ad interim since September 2011, following the resignation of her predecessor Rossitsa Stelianova. Prior to that, Lozanova was the agency's deputy executive director in charge of international projects and European programmes. She has been with the agency for more than 20 years. Lozanova has a degree in Slavonic philology from the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia.
Uniqa
Gloria Dimitrova has been appointed executive director and member of the managing board at Uniqa Life Insurance Bulgaria. Dimitrova began her career in 1998 at the insurance supervision directorate, but moved to the private sector and worked for professional services and insurance brokerage firm Marsh&McLennan and US insurer AIG, both in Bulgaria and the Middle East. She joined Uniqa as regional director for Sofia in 2010. Dimitrova has a degree in economics from the University for National and World Economy in Sofia and a master's degree in insurance from the Business Academy in Svishtov.
Kamenitza
Yassen Lyubenov is the new head of marketing at Bulgarian beer brewer Kamenitza. Lyubenov has 12 years of experience in marketing in the fast-moving consumer goods sector and has started his career as assistant brand manager at Kraft Foods Bulgaria. He later became brand manager at Wrigley Bulgaria, with responsibilities for Bulgaria and Macedonia. Prior to joining Kamenitza, he was senior marketing manager at Wrigley Russia, where he was in charge of brand expansion into Ukraine, Belarus, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Lyubenov has a bachelor's degree in international business administration from the University of Lincoln, UK.
Beiersdorf
Bedros Kalfayan, general manager of skin care and cosmetics company Beiersdorf Bulgaria, will oversee the parent's company units in Romania and Moldova starting April 1. Following company restructuring, Beiersdorf's subsidiaries in the three countries were merged and are now one unit, part of Beiersdorf Central and Eastern Europe. Kalfayan joined Beiersdorf in 2007 as sales manager and was promoted to general manager in 2008. Prior to that, he worked for Axxon Bulgaria, Ferrero and Rubella. Kalfayan has a master's degree in industrial management from the Technical University in Sofia.
Hewlett-Packard
Sasha Bezuhanova has been appointed Hewlett-Packard public sector director for emerging markets, where she will oversee HP public sector activities in 63 countries, including Bulgaria. Bezuhanova will also be in charge of HP's relations with the European Union. Bezuhanova has been HP's public sector director for Central and Eastern Europe since 2008; before that she was general manager of HP Bulgaria since 1998. Bezuhanova has a master's degree in electronics from the Technical University in Sofia and has completed a managment programme at INSEAD.
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