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Trade and Industry Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
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Commercial Information Circulars

Ref : EIC 111/2/3

11 August 1997

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 115/97

USA : Restriction of the Use of Benzidine-based

Chemical Substances in Products Sold in the US Market

The Department has received information that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated a "Significant New Use Rule" (SNUR) to restrict the use of certain benzidine-based chemical substances last October. The practical effect of the SNUR is to prevent the future manufacture, processing or import of products containing such substances.

 

Details

 

  1. Based upon toxicity information on benzidine and benzidine-based dyes, EPA is concerned that certain benzidine-based chemical substances may be carcinogens. It therefore promulgated the SNUR designating any use of the benzidine-based chemical substances listed in the rule, except for the ongoing uses of such substances in a small amount for limited purposes, as a significant new use. The SNUR requires persons to notify EPA at least 90 days before commencing the manufacture, processing or import of the listed chemical substances for any significant new use. The required notification enables EPA to evaluate any intended new uses of the chemical substances before they can be introduced into the US marketplace, and to protect against potentially adverse exposure to the substances.
     
  2. Copies of a fact sheet and a Federal Register notice regarding implementation of the SNUR are appended (pdf format) to this circular for reference. Traders could refer to the last two pages of the attached (pdf format) notice for the list of benzidine-based chemical substances covered by the SNUR.

 

Enquires

 

  1. For enquiries concerning the content of this circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5403.


 

Yours faithfully,

 

(Mrs. Adelaide YEUNG)
for Director-General of Trade

Appendix - Page 1 - 5, Page 6 - 10

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.