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Commercial Information Circulars

Appendix :

 Commercial Information Circular No. 76/00

Iceland : Regulation on restriction of the manufacture, importation
and distribution of toys and objects containing phthalates

Objectives and definitions

Article 1

The objective of this regulation is to restrict the manufacture, importation and distribution of toys and objects made of soft plastic that are intended for children if the products contain phthalates since phthalates are deemed to be damaging to health.

Article 2

Phthalates in this regulation mean esters of o-phthallic acid. Among other things, phthalates are used as softeners in plastic products.

Scope

Article 3

The provisions of this regulation cover:

  1. Toys for children under three years of age (0-36 months)
     
  2. Products for children under three years of age intended to be, or which one may expect to be, gnawed or sucked on by children, for example, teething rings, bibs, bath implements, etc.
     
  3. A product not falling under subparagraphs 1 and 2, but which one may suppose to be used as a toy for children under three years of age because of the product's appearance, including the type of material, shape and decoration.

Restrictions

Article 4

A product falling under Article 3 containing phthalates may not be manufactured, imported or distributed if the concentration of phthalates in the product exceeds 0.05% of the product weight or part of it.

Control

Article 5

The manufacturer, importer and distributor are responsible for a product's fulfilment of the provisions of this regulation and must present data in this regard to a control party if so requested.

Article 6

Municipal public health authorities, under the supervision of the Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland, control the implementation of this regulation.

Exemptions

Article 7

If special considerations so recommend, the Minister for the Environment, after obtaining a statement from the Environmental and Food Agency of Iceland, can issue a temporary exemption from the provisions of Article 3. Application for such an exemption shall be made in writing to the Ministry for the Environment.

Penalties

Article 8

Penalties shall be handled according to Article 26 of Act no. 52/1988, on toxic and hazardous substances, along with later amendments, unless another statute provides for a severer penalty.

Entry into force

Article 9

This regulation is set on the basis of Act no. 52/1988, on toxic and hazardous substances, along with later amendments, Act no. 7/1998, on hygienic practices and pollution prevention and Act no. 134/1995 on product safety and governmental market surveillance in consultation with the Weights and Measures Office.

Notice of this regulation has been given in accordance with the provisions of Regulation no. 534/1995 on the entry into effect of specified directives of the European Union concerning the arrangement of information exchange for the setting of technical standards and regulations, cf. subparagraph 1 of Chapter XIX of Annex II of the Agreement on the EEA, the European Commission's Directive 98/34/EC.

The regulation enters into force on 1 March 2000. Products manufactured in Iceland or products imported before the entry into force of this regulation may be sold until 1 April 2000.

Ministry for the Environment, February 2000

Siv Fridleifsdottir