The Council of Ministers of the European Union (EU) adopted on 20 September a directive modifying directive 76/769/CEE on the limitation of the marketing of certain dangerous substances. Two chemicals, toluene and trichlorobenzene,  have been added on the list of the dangerous products. The new directive prohibits the marketing of products which contain a concentration of these substances higher than 0,1% of the total mass.

Toluene is a solvent used in the chemicals, in particular benzene, the dyeing, the pharmaceutical products, the food additives and the plastics. It is also found in domestic aerosols, paintings, adhesives and adhesives. It has effects on the central nervous system and causes irritations of the skin, eyes and respiratory tracts.

The trichlorobenzene is used in the manufacture of the weedkillers, dyeings and products which prevent corrosion.