Introductory text

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article 113 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Whereas the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Council adopted on 12 May 1981 a Decision concerning the mutual acceptance of data in the assessment of chemicals and will shortly adopt a decision/recommendation on Compliance with Principles of good laboratory practice, which provides for the implementation of good laboratory practice by OECD member countries and for mutual recognition thereof among OECD member countries;

Whereas this decision/recommendation will constitute the framework for the conclusion of arrangements between OECD member countries on mutual recognition of compliance with good laboratory practice;

Whereas the main aim of any agreement concerning the mutual acceptance of data obtained during the non-clinical testing of chemicals in accordance with good laboratory practice in order to assess their safety before they are put on the market is essentially to enable trade to develop harmoniously between the parties concerned;

Whereas such an agreement will make it possible to avoid the repetition of tests in the country of destination and the barriers to international trade which this causes; whereas it will therefore help to stimulate exports;

Whereas only the acceptance of test data obtained throughout the Community will provide all Community manufacturers and laboratories with equal conditions of competition on the markets of the third countries concerned;

Whereas the functioning of the internal market also requires the uniform treatment throughout the Community of chemicals originating from third countries and thus of the test results obtained in these countries on such products with a view to placing them on the market;

Whereas, in adopting Council Directive 87/18/EEC of 18 December 1986 on the harmonization of laws, regulations and administrative provisions relating to the application of the principles of good laboratory practice and the verification of their applications for tests on chemical substances^f1 and Council Directive 88/320/EEC of 7 June 1988 on the inspection and verification of good laboratory practice (GLP)^f2, the Community has already implemented procedures for the application and verification of good laboratory practice in accordance with the OECD decision /recommendation in question;

Whereas it is therefore appropriate that the said decision/recommendation be approved by the Community,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: