Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

Ref : EIC 230/2/11

29 December 2001

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 203/01

European Union (EU)^* : Restrictions on the Marketing and Use of Certain Dangerous Substances - Hexachloroethane

In response to new scientific data, the European Commission (EC) has adopted a Directive to tighten the existing control on the marketing and use of a dangerous substance-hexachloroethane. Member States are required to transpose the Directive into their national legislation by 31 December 2002 and put into effect the provisions of the Directive by 30 June 2003 at the latest.

DETAILS

2. Commission Directive 2001/91/EC of 29 October 2001 (at Annex (pdf format)) sets out the revised restrictions for hexachloroethane, a purifying agent for non-ferrous metals. Under the Directive, the use of hexachloroethane is prohibited in the manufacturing and processing of non-ferrous metals. Previous derogations for use in non-integrated aluminium foundries and in the production of certain magnesium alloys are no longer allowed.

ENQUIRIES

3. For enquiries about the contents of this Circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.

Yours faithfully,

(Miss Helen YUNG)

for Director-General of Trade and Industry

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

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.