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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Brand Hong Kong - Asia world city
MY COLOUR

Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 191/2

7 May 2010

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 196/2010

Canada : Prohibition of Polycarbonate Baby Bottles that Contain Bisphenol A

The Canadian Department of Health (Health Canada) published a notice in the Canada Gazette, Part II of 31 March 2010 to amend Part I of Schedule I to the Canadian Hazardous Products Act (HPA) to include polycarbonate baby bottles that contain bisphenol A, thus prohibiting the advertisement, sale and importation in Canada of these products. The amendment has come into force on 11 March 2010. The Gazette notice is available at http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2010/2010-03-31/pdf/g2-14407.pdf (pages 5-18 are relevant).

DETAILS

  1. The trade was informed via Commercial Information Circular No. 533/2008 that the Canadian Department of the Environment and Health Canada released on 18 October 2008 a summary of the final Government of Canada screening assessment report for bisphenol A and the proposed risk management approach to seek public comments. The screening assessment concluded that bisphenol A is or may be entering the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health. The risk management approach document outlined actions to control this substance such as proposing to ban the importation, sale and advertising of polycarbonate baby bottles made with bisphenol A. 

  2. The HPA provides the authority to prohibit or restrict products which are, or are likely to be a danger to health or safety. Full text of the HPA is available on the website of the Canadian Department of Justice at http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/PDF/Statute/H/H-3.pdf. After consultation, Health Canada now announces to amend Part I of Schedule I to the HPA to include polycarbonate baby bottles that contain bisphenol A, thus prohibiting the advertisement, sale and importation in Canada of these products.

  3. In addition to the prohibition of polycarbonate baby bottles that contain bisphenol A, there are other Government-wide initiatives taking place to control this substance. Health Canada actions for food include developing stringent migration targets in canned infant formula, continuing to scrutinize pre-market submission of food packaging applications, as well as supporting industry in the development and implementation of codes of practice and in the evaluation of replacement options for bisphenol A in infant formula can coatings.

ENQUIRIES

  1. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at 2398 5682.

Yours faithfully,




(Miss Bonny CHAO)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry