Commercial Information Circulars

24-hour hotline : 23 922 922

e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk

Ref : EIC 230/2/12

5 September 2003

Dear Sirs,

Commercial Information Circular No. 223/2003

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

The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have adopted two Directives to control the marketing and use of certain carcinogens, mutagens and substances toxic to reproduction. The aims of the Directives are to improve health protection and consumer safety. Details are set out in Directives 2003/34/EC and 2003/36/EC (the Directives), copies of which are at Attachments I and II (pdf format) of this circular for reference.

DETAILS

2. Under the Directives, chemicals classified by the EU authorities as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction may not be used in substances and preparations placed on the market for sale to the general public in individual concentration exceeding certain prescribed limits. A list of such chemicals is set out in the Annexes (pdf format) to the Directives. Member States are required to put into effect the provisions of Directive 2003/34/EC as from 15 January 2005. In respect of Directive 2003/36/EC, the corresponding implementation date is 25 December 2004.

ENQUIRIES

3. For enquiries about the contents 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 Member States are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.