Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000380/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Liesbet Sommen (PPE)
Potentially toxic metals, such as lead, barium and cadmium, are used in ceramic and glass materials (also food contact materials, or FCMs), as well as for technical applications and in decorative pigments. Directive 84/500/EEC stipulates limit values for lead and cadmium in ceramic materials, but there is no harmonised legislation for glass materials.
Official checks show that about 20% of the ceramic and glass samples tested release heavy metals into food in harmful quantities. The European Food Safety Authority has published opinions on the adverse health effects of those metals, which occur at levels much lower than the limits currently set.
The Commission (DG Health and Food Safety) is drafting legislation to address this problem. Publication was scheduled for the second quarter of 2023, but has not yet taken place. In this connection:
- 1.What is the Commission’s position on harmonised legislation for glass materials?
- 2.When will this initiative and the accompanying impact assessment be published?
Submitted: 28.1.2025