Category: Archive – 2012

Mario Draghi, the president of the
European Central Bank, today said that the eurozone economy was likely to
remain weak for some time, as he welcomed a vote in Greece's parliament that
approved the government's latest austerity measures. Draghi, speaking after a meeting of
the ECB's governing council at which it was decided to leave interest rates
unchanged, said that national governments needed to carry on implementing
deficit-reduction measures and structural reforms.

Draghi said "The growth momentum is
expected to remain weak. The necessary process of balance-sheet adjustment in
the financial and non-financial sectors and an uneven global recovery will
continue to dampen the pace of recovery."

However, he said that there were some
positives and that money flows had improved since the ECB had announced its
Outright Monetary Transactions (OMT) programme – to buy government bonds in
unlimited amounts – in August.

The programme has not yet been activated,
with Mariano Rajoy, the prime minister of Spain, hinting this week that no
imminent request would be forthcoming from his government unless he was
convinced that such measures would reduce his country's borrowing costs.

Draghi said that the vote in Greece's
parliament that narrowly supported the government's latest austerity measures
"represents real progress, especially when you compare it with the situation
just a few months ago".

The governing council decided to keep
the main eurozone interest rates unchanged. The main refinancing rate will stay
at 0.75%.

Draghi said that high energy prices
and increases in indirect taxation such as value-added tax in some eurozone
countries meant that inflation rates were likely to remain above 2% for the
remainder of 2012.

Half of the EU's river basins will be
affected by water scarcity and stress by 2030 if action is not taken soon,
according to a report to be published. Despite ambitious goals set in 2000
aimed at safeguarding Europe's water, member states look like failing to meet a
2015 restoration deadline.

The ‘water blueprint' published on 14
November examines progress in member states' implementation of the landmark
Water Framework Directive. The Commission is ruling out new legislation apart
from a proposal to relax standards for water re-use. It states that the
performance must be improved by better implementation and enforcement. For
instance, zones designated as vulnerable to nitrates should be expanded.
Cross-compliance requirements, as proposed by the Commission in its reform of
the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), would encourage better performance.

Member states were required to submit
river-basin management plans to the Commission by December 2009, outlining
action to restore freshwater sites to good ecological status by 2015. Based on
information provided, the Commission estimates that only 43% of sites are in
shape today, and only 53% will be by 2015.

Many member states failed to draw up
the plans in time. The worst offender was Spain, which still has no plans for
19 of its 25 river basins. Earlier this month, the European Court of Justice
condemned Spain for not meeting the requirements of the directive.

The blueprint is non-committal on the
controversial issues of water-pricing and water-efficiency. The European
Parliament approved a resolution calling for water-metering to be made binding
across the EU, taking social issues into account.

The most widespread pressure on water
sites in the EU is modification through dams, hydropower or drainage for
agriculture. This affects 40% of EU water bodies spread through 19 countries.
The second most common problem is over-extraction.

The draft text envisages no new
funding for the European Innovation Partnership for Water, which instead must
draw from existing funding. This will come as a disappointment to water
campaigners.

The Restriction of Use of Hazardous
Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive primarily
aims to ensure that EU Member States apply common restrictions on the levels of
hazardous substances that may be present in a wide range of electrical and
electronic equipment, as well as minimising the end of life environmental impact
of that equipment.

The original Directive published in
2002 was implemented through L.N. 396 of 2004 and its amendments; the
Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and
Electronic Equipment Regulations which came into force on 1 July 2006.

The new RoHS Directive, 2011/65/EU1
was published on 1 July 2011. It has a different scope and obligations on those
placing products on the market.

The original policy of the RoHS
Directive to protect human health and the environment across the European
single market remains the same. However, the new Directive brings forward
changes to:

Broaden
the scope of products covered

Require
the "CE" and other marking of compliant products and new conformity assessment
procedures

Provide
for new exclusions from scope

Provide for new criteria for the
application and duration of exemptions

Introduces
an end date after which non-compliant product cannot be made available.

Between 2005 and 2008, the Commission
consultants undertook a number of research projects into various aspects of the
RoHS Directive. The results of those studies can be downloaded from the EC's
Europa website at
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/rohs_eee/studies_rohs2_en.htm

A new online stakeholder consultation
started on November 9th 2012 and will run for twelve weeks until February 1st
2013.

The consultation covers 4 RoHS
exemption requests:

Exemption
request 12 "Leaded solder utilized in stacked, area array electronics
packaging within ionizing radiation detectors including CT and X-ray"

Exemption
request 13 "Lead in platinized platinum electrodes for measurement
instruments"

Exemption
request 14 "Lead in solders for the ignition module and other electronic
engine controls mounted directly on or close to the cylinder of hand-held
engines (classes SH: 1, SH: 2, SH: 3 of 2002/88/EC)"

Exemption
request 15 "Hand crafted luminous discharge tubes (HLDT) used for signs,
decorative or general lighting and light-artwork"

All corresponding information can be
found at http://rohs.exemptions.oeko.info/index.php?id=152.

F'Jannar 2009 daħal fis-seħħ
ir-regolament il-ġdid tal-Unjoni Ewropea dwar il-Klassifikazzjoni, it-Tikkettar
u l-Imballaġġ (CLP). Dan ir-regolament il-ġdid ifisser li hemm xi bidliet
fil-mod li bih jiġu komunikati l-perikli kimiċi. Il-pittogrammi li jirreferu
għal perikli fiżiċi u tas-saħħa nbidlu, filwaqt li ddaħħlu wkoll tliet
pittogrammi ġodda. Saru wkoll xi bidliet fil-klassifikazzjoni.

L-Aġenzija Ewropea għas-Saħħa u
s-Sigurtà fuq il-Post tax-Xogħol (EU-OSHA) qed tappoġġja lill-Kummissjoni
Ewropea fl-isforzi tagħha biex tqajjem kuxjenza dwar il-bidliet fis-sinjali
relatati mas-sustanzi kimiċi fost persuni li jiġu f'kuntatt mas-sustanzi kimiċi
fuq il-post tax-xogħol, kif ukoll fost min jimpjegahom.

L-EU-OSHA għandha l-għan li tilħaq
lill-utenti aħħarin li jimmaniġġaw is-sustanzi kimiċi fuq il-post tax-xogħol,
permezz tal-esperti/maniġers jew tad-diretturi ġenerali OSH tagħhom. Għandna
bżonn l-għajnuna tiegħek biex inxerrdu din l-informazzjoni, biex inqajmu
kuxjenza dwar il-mod li bih jiġu komunikati l-perikli kimiċi.

L-EU-OSHA tixtieq tiżgura li
l-ħaddiema huma familjari mal-pittogrammi l-ġodda dwar is-sustanzi perikolużi,
u li dawn jimmaniġġawhom b'attenzjoni. Biex nagħmlu dan għandna bżonn li
l-maniġers, ir-rappreżentanti tas-sigurtà u l-ispeċjalisti OSH joqgħodu attenti
għal sustanzi li għandhom il-potenzjal li jikkawżaw ħsara, li jivverifikaw
it-tikkettar u l-imballaġġ ta' sustanzi kimiċi u l-iskedi b'Data dwar Sigurtà,
u li jidentifikaw kwalunkwe ħaddiema li jistgħu ikunu esposti għal tali
sustanzi biex jiżguraw li dawn jiġu protetti. Huwa importanti ħafna li dawn
jikkonsultaw u jinfurmaw lill-ħaddiema dwar ir-riskji u l-miżuri implimentati.

http://osha.europa.eu/mt/topics/ds/clp-classification-labelling-and-packaging-of-substances-and-mixtures

F'din it-taqsima għandek issib
diversi riżorsi bħall-ktejjeb Gwida għal min iħaddem rigward il-kontroll
tar-riskji relatati mas-sustanzi kimiċi kif ukoll riżorsi oħra mill-Kummissjoni
Ewropea (poster, pocket card, preżentazzjoni bin-noti, eċċ.) jew il-fuljett
Sejħa għal azzjoni mir-rappreżentanti kollha tal-ħaddiema f'kumpaniji li
jimmanifatturaw, li jużaw jew li jqiegħdu fis-suq is-sustanzi kimiċi maħruġ
mill-Konfederazzjoni Ewropea tat-Trejdjunjins (ETUC) u l-Federazzjoni Ewropea
tal-Ħaddiema tal-Minjieri, tas-sustanzi Kimiċi u tal-Enerġija (EMCEF).

Iżda l-kampanja ta'
sensibilizzazzjoni ma tieqafx hawn, u se jkun hemm aktar riżorsi disponibbli
fit-taqsima web iddedikata tal-EU-OSHA fil-futur qrib.

Huwa importanti li theggu
l-kollegi/impjegati tiegħek jifhmu u jagħrfu l-informazzjoni l-ġdida
tat-tikketta u l-miżuri preventivi bażiċi ġodda meta jużaw sustanzi kimiċi.

Il-Malta-EU Steering and Action
Committee (MEUSAC) u l-Awtorità ta' Malta dwar l-Ambjent u l-Ippjanar (MEPA) se
jorganizzaw laqgħa ta' konsultazzjoni dwar it-traspożizzjoni tad-Direttiva
2012/19/UE li tirregola l-iskart ta' tagħmir elettriku u elettroniku (WEEE). Din
id-Direttiva, li tirrevedi liġijiet eżistenti dwar il-WEEE, għandha l-għan li
ttejjeb il-ġbir, l-użu mill-ġdid u r-riċiklaġġ ta' tagħmir elettriku u
elettroniku, li tillimita l-esportazzjonijiet illegali ta' skart ta' dan it-tip
mill-Unjoni Ewropea, u li ttejjeb l-impatt ambjentali tal-operaturi kollha
involuti fis-settur, sabiex inaqqsu l-iskart u jippromwovu l-effiċjenza
tar-riżorsi.

L-għan ta' din il-laqgħa hu li jinġabru
l-kummenti u l-opinjonijiet ta' dawk involuti, jew interessati f'dan is-settur
qabel din id-Direttiva tidħol fis-seħħ fil-Liġi Maltija.

Il-laqgħa ser tinżamm nhar it-Tnejn, 26
ta' Novembru 2012, fl-għaxra ta' filgħodu, f'Dar l-Ewropa, 254, Triq San
Pawl, il-Belt Valletta. Din il-laqgħa ser issir bil-Malti.

In terms of Regulation 9 (15) of the Workplace (Minimum
Health and Safety Requirements) Regulations of 2002, fire drills for all places
of work should be carried out as often as indicated by the Civil Protection
Directorate taking due consideration of the fire risks within any particular
workplace and its occupancy. These regulations determine that drills are
carried out at least once every six months, and a record kept of these drills.

The obligation to hold fire drills at regular intervals is
one of the measures required to be taken to protect workers (and other
occupants) from the risks of fire – in this case, this particular requirement
is intended to ensure emergency preparedness and therefore limit the extent of
harm.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority is currently
discussing amending this sub-regulation so that whereas the normal frequency
for the organisation of fire drills remains every six months, the employer, in
consultation with the Workers Health and Safety Representatives, seek the
advice of a person competent in fire safety, and who is recognised as such by
the Department for Civil Protection. In suggesting a different frequency, the
competent person needs to analyse the prevailing fire risks and the occupancy
of that specific place of work. In any case, the frequency of the fire drills
cannot be longer than once every twelve months.

The proposed text of this amendment is as follows:

"9. (15) The employer shall ensure that fire drills are
carried out at least once every 6 months and a record kept of these drills.
Provided that a person competent in fire safety and recognised as such by the
Civil Protection Directorate, may, at the explicit request of an employer, and
after analysing the prevailing fire risks and the occupancy of that specific
place of work, determine a different frequency for that employer's workplace,
which in any case shall not be longer than once every twelve months. The
recommendations made by such a competent person should be documented in writing
and kept by the employer together with the record of the fire drills.  Worker's Health and Safety Representatives
shall be given the opportunity of being consulted on the frequency of these
fire drills."

The proposed amendment is intended to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic
or administrative burdens, without in any way leading to a reduction in the
prevailing standards of occupational health and safety.

The Occupational Health and Safety Authority welcomes any
feedback on the proposed amendment which will be taken into consideration
before making its final proposals to the Minister for Health, the Elderly and
Community Care as the Minister responsible for occupational health and safety.
Feedback can be sent till the 23rd of November 2012, in writing, by normal post
to: The Occupational Health and Safety Authority, 17, Edgar Ferro Street, Pieta
PTA 1533, or via email: .

Suggests
banning trouble makers as a deterrent – On 13th November the Parliamentary
Social Affairs Committee (SAC) met to follow up on the report Towards More
Security and Good Order in Paceville. This report included an extensive list
of issues raised by members of the commercial association, residents in the
area and council members, amongst others. The report speaks about the all the
problematic issues in Paceville, amongst which security, waste management,
excessive noise, lack of CCTV cameras and so on.

Philip Fenech, GRTU deputy president
and Paceville business community representative was also present. During the
meeting Mr Fenech proposed a solution to one of the most sensitive issues in
Paceville, which is violence and aggressive incidents which end up as criminal
offences. Mr Fenech proposed that a deterrent would be initiated whereby
trouble makers would be banned from being in Paceville during specific times
and for a specific period. This he said because fines are not effective enough
and banning trouble makers from being in the place they enjoy creating trouble
in would further discourage them from causing trouble.

Mr Fenech also mentioned the need to increase the level of
security in the area, cameras should be positioned in a way to have a broader
view so that any incidents witnessed can be recorded efficiently. These images
will also assist police officers in their criminal enquiries.

If you do, you are most welcome to dispose of it at
bring-in-sites located within the Siggiewi Local Council. If by chance, you are reported doing this and you happen to
live in Siggiewi then we assure you that you will have no problem contesting
your case at our Law Courts. Of course you will probably be using the Local
Mayor as your defense Counsel. What irony! The Local Mayor is supposedly a Pro
Environment individual who is able to hold on to the votes of those who
continue to make a mess of the Bring-in-Sites within his locality.

We truly wonder why Green MT, the Waste Packaging Compliance
Scheme currently in agreement with Siggiewi Local Council, continues to clean
these sites day in, day out. The mess continues to grow because there is ample
support from the local council. And when we say this, we fully shoulder the
responsibility. I, for one will dispose of my next bath tub not at the
bring-in-site but write in front of the front door of the Siggiewi Local
Council.

Maybe then, the Local Mayor will not be my defense Counsel.

Green MT, the national authorised waste
packaging compliance scheme, has recently donated 400 cloth bags to Sta. Lucia
Girls Secondary School. This "Bag For Life" is part of Green MT's
environmental campaign aiming towards sustainability of resources.

The School Administration, will be
using these bags as packaging for the traditional "Borza ta' San
Martin". The school has sold these bags with their contents to students
and parents with final proceeds going to the Community Chest Fund. Green MT continues
with its unending efforts to make sure that our young generation does away with
one time throw away packaging.

Sta. Lucia is one of the Local Councils
that works hand in hand with Green MT to make sure that recycling mentality
continues to grow within the locality. Of course it is important that this
College, within the parameters of Sta.Lucia continues to work hand in hand with
the initiatives of both Green MT and the Local Council.

Green MT would like to thank the School
Administration for such initiatives, which are both environmental and
philanthropic towards creating better communities.