12.8.2000 Official Journal of the European Communities L 205/7 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 25 July 2000 concerning the draft national provisions notified by the Kingdom of Belgium concerning the limitations of the marketing and use of organostannic compounds (notified under document number C(2000) 2016) (Only the French and Dutch texts are authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2000/509/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 95(6) thereof, Whereas: I. FACTS 1. Community Legislation: Directive 1999/51/EC Council Directive 76/769/EEC (') of 27 July 1976 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and adminis- trative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations, as last amended by Commission Directive 1999/77/EC () of 26 July 1999, provides for the prohibition and restriction of the use of certain dangerous substances and preparations. Directive 76/769/EEC is regularly amended to include in its Annex additional substances which are dangerous to man or the environment. Council Directive 89/677EEC (*) of 21 December 1989, which amends for the eighth time Directive 76/769/EEC, harmonises amongst others the placing on the market and use of organostannic compounds. The provisions concerning organostannic compounds were modified by Commission Directive 1999/51/EC () 26 May 1999, 27.9.1976, p. 201. 207, 6.8.1999, p. 18. 30.12.1989, p. 19. 5.6.1999, p. 22. which adapts to technical progress for the fifth time Annex I to Directive 76/769/EEC. Directive 1999/51/EC prohibits the marketing and use of organostannic compounds as substances and constit- uents of preparations when acting as biocides in free association antifouling paint. The Directive also prohibits the use of organostannic compounds as substances and constituents of prepara- tions when acting as biocides to prevent the fouling by mircroorganisms, plants or animals of (a) the hulls of: — boats of an overall length, as defined by ISO 8666, of less than 25 metres, — vessels of any length for use predominantly on inland waterways and lakes; (b) cages, floats, net and any other appliances or equip- ment used for fish or shellfish farming; (c) any totally or partly submerged appliance or equip- ment. Such substances and preparations: — may be placed on the market only in packages of a capacity equal to or greater than 20 litres, — may not be sold to the general public but only to professional users.