THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 July 2000 on a revised Community eco-label award scheme(1), and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 6(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1) Under Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 the Community eco-label may be awarded to a product possessing characteristics which enable it to contribute significantly to improvements in relation to key environmental aspects.
(2) Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000 provides that specific eco-label criteria are to be established according to product groups.
(3) It is appropriate to adopt a new decision establishing ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to outdoor paints and vanishes.
(4) The ecological criteria, as well as the related assessment and verification requirements, should be valid for a period of four years.
(5) The measures provided for in this Decision are based on the draft criteria developed by the European Union Ecolabelling Board established under Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000.
(6) The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the committee instituted by Article 17 of Regulation (EC) No 1980/2000,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: