Commercial Information Circulars

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Ref : EIC 230/2/11

20 April 2004

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 100/2004

European Union (EU)* :Restrictions on the Marketing and Use of Certain Dangerous Substances and Preparations - Nonylphenol, Nonylphenol Ethoxylate and Cement

The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have adopted a Directive to control the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations; i.e. nonylphenol (NP), nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE) and cement. Details are set out in Directive 2003/53/EC (the Directive), a copy of which is attached (pdf format) to this circular for reference. Member States are required to put the Directive into force with effect from 17 January 2005.

DETAILS

2. On the basis of certain scientific studies, the EU authorities considered that NP and NPE pose risks to the environment and that cement preparations containing chromium VI may cause allergic reactions when there is direct and prolonged contact with the human skin. They therefore deemed it necessary to adopt the Directive in order to protect the environment and human health, as well as to harmonise the national laws of the Member States.
    

3. Under the Directive, NP and NPE may not be placed on the market or used as a substance or constituent of preparations in concentrations equal or higher than 0.1% by mass for purposes such as domestic cleaning and manufacturing of pulp and paper. Regarding cement and cement-containing preparations, they may not be used or placed on the market if they contain, when hydrated, more than 0.0002% soluble chromium VI of the total dry weight of the cement. If reducing agents for chromium VI are used, the packaging of cement or cement-containing preparations should be marked with appropriate storage information on how to maintain the effectiveness of the reducing agent. However, the foregoing restrictions and marking requirements will not apply to controlled closed and totally automated processes in which cement and cement-containing preparations are handled solely by machines (i.e. there is no possibility of skin contact).

ENQUIRIES

4. For enquiries about the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Sandra SOU)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

* : The EU includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.