Commercial Information Circulars
24-hour hotline : 23 922 922
e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref : EIC 411/2
11 February 2009
Dear Sirs,
Commercial Information Circular No. 78/2009
Argentina : Lead Content Restrictions on Paints, Lacquers and Varnishes
The Argentine government published a resolution on 19 January 2009 to establish a limit to the lead content of paints, lacquers and varnishes. The new requirement will enter into effect ninety days after the date of its publication, i.e. from 19 April 2009.
DETAILS
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The Argentine resolution prohibits the manufacture, import for consumption and marketing of paints, lacquers and varnishes with a lead content higher than 0.06% by weight of the total non-volatile content of the product. Paints, lacquers and varnishes are defined in the above-mentioned resolution as "fluids, semi-fluids or solids, with or without pigments, which change to a solid film after their application in thin layers on metal, wood, stone, paper, leather, fabric, plastic or other materials, for decorative, cosmetic, protective, hygienic or functional purpose." Imports of these products will have to be accompanied by a certificate issued by Argentina's National Institute of Industrial Technology (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial) certifying compliance with the lead ban.
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Apart from samples, temporary imports and products in transit, graphic inks, paints, lacquers and varnishes intended exclusively for the following purposes shall be excluded from the ban :
- for artistic purposes;
- on agricultural and industrial equipment;
- on industrial, agricultural and commercial metallic structures;
- on bridges and port structures;
- on traffic and safety markings and signs;
- on motor vehicles, airplanes, vessels and trains, and
- in the graphic arts.These products must be accompanied by a certificate of exemption and must bear a permanent, indelible and clearly legible warning label if they exceed the 0.06% lead limit.
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Details of the Argentine resolution can be retrieved from :
http://www.infoleg.gov.ar/infolegInternet/anexos/145000-149999/149529/norma.htm.
To clarify the relevance of the new requirements to their exports to Argentina and/or to obtain further information on the detailed requirements, traders are advised to approach their importers in Argentina for the relevant details.
ENQUIRIES
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For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact Miss S Y TANG at telephone number 2398 5405.
Yours faithfully,
(Miss WONG Ying)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry
| Note : | While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, the Department cannot guarantee this to be so and will not be held liable for any reliance placed on the same. |