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Commercial
Information Circulars
24-hour hotline : 23 922 922
e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref : EIC 230/4/1
31
July 2007
Dear Sirs,
Commercial
Information Circular No. 290/2007
European
Union (EU)* : Community Eco-label Award Scheme
The European Commission
(the Commission) has adopted a Decision to establish the ecological
criteria for soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners under the Community
Eco-label Award Scheme. Details are set out in Commission Decision 2007/506/EC
(the Decision). The Decision can be accessed through the following link
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2007/l_186/l_18620070718en00360045.pdf.
DETAILS
- Under the Decision,
the product group "soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners"
is defined to comprise any rinse-off substance and preparation intended
to be placed in contact with the epidermis and the hair system with
a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them. It also comprises any
rinse-off substance and preparation intended to be placed in contact
with the hair system with a view to improve the condition of the hair
(hair conditioners).
- To qualify for
the Community eco-label, the product concerned must meet specific
ecological criteria on certain areas including toxicity to aquatic
organisms, environmentally harmful products, biodegradability, fragrances,
dyes or colouring agents, biocides, environmentally hazardous ingredients,
packaging and fitness for use. The ecological criteria will be valid
until 21 June 2010.
- With the adoption
of the ecological criteria for soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners,
the number of product groups (excluding those in the service sector)
covered by the Scheme has expanded to twenty-two (viz. laundry detergents,
light bulbs, washing machines, copying and graphic paper, refrigerators,
tissue paper products, dishwashers, soil improvers and growing media,
indoor paints and varnishes, bed mattresses, textile products, footwear,
personal computers, portable computers, detergents for dishwashers,
all-purpose cleaners and cleaners for sanitary facilities, hand dishwashing
detergents, televisions, hard floor coverings, vacuum cleaners, lubricants,
and soaps, shampoos and hair conditioners). Details of the Eco-label
Award Scheme and the definition and the ecological criteria of its
product groups can be found in the European Commission's Eco-label
website at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ecolabel/index_en.htm.
ENQUIRIES
- For enquiries
concerning the contents of this circular, please contact the undersigned
at telephone number 2398 5500.
Yours faithfully,
(K H NG)
for Director-General of Trade and Industry
* The
EU includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United
Kingdom.
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Electronic
services for Production Notification and Certificate of Origin
enable traders to make the relevant applications directly through
their office computer faster and easier. Electronic service has
now been extended to the lodgement of Cargo Manifests and Textiles
Notifications. For details and enquiries,
please call the following service providers:
Global
e-Trading Services Limited (Tel. : 8109 1820)
Tradelink Electronic Commerce Limited (Tel. : 2599 1700)
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| Note 1: |
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.
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| Note
2: |
The
biweekly newsletter "Business Alert - EU" of the Hong
Kong Trade Development Council provides up-to-date information on
the latest developments in EU trade policy and trade regulations.
The newsletter is available for free e-subscription and can be accessed
through http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/eualert.htm. |
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