relative file path for layout
Skip to main content  Skip to search  Skip to main menu
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 230/2/11

29 December 2005

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 550/2005

European Union (EU)* : Restrictions on the Marketing and Use of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Extender Oils and Tyres

The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have adopted a Directive to control the marketing and use of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in extender oils and tyres. Member States are required to put the Directive into force with effect from 1 January 2010. Details are set out in Directive 2005/69/EC (the Directive), a copy (pdf format) of which is attached to this circular for reference.

DETAILS

  1. In order to provide a high level of protection to human health and the environment, the EU authorities considered it necessary to restrict the marketing and use of PAH-rich extender oils and blends used as extender oils for the production of tyres. The Directive covers passenger car tyres, light and heavy truck tyres, agricultural tyres and motorcycles tyres. Under the Directive, extender oils may not be placed on the market and used for the production of tyres or parts of tyres if they contain more than 1 mg/kg benzo(a)pyrene or more than 10 mg/kg of the sum of the listed PAHs. Tyres and treads for retreading manufactured after 1 January 2010 may not be placed on the market if they contain extender oils exceeding the above mentioned limits. By way of derogation, retreaded tyres if their tread does not contain extender oils exceeding the limits are exempted from the marketing restrictions.

ENQUIRIES

  1. 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, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.



  • 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.