Commercial Information Circulars
24-hour hotline : 23 922 922
e-mail address : enquiry@tid.gov.hk
Ref : EIC 230/2/11
1 April 2003
Dear Sirs,
Commercial Information Circular No. 92/2003
European Union (EU)* :Restrictions on the Marketing and Use of Certain Flame Retardants
The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have adopted a Directive to control the marketing and use of two types of brominated flame retardants - pentabromodiphenly ether (pentaBDE) and octabromodiphenly ether (octaBDE). A copy of the Directive 2003/11/EC is attached (pdf format) to this Circular for reference.
DETAILS
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On the basis of the risk assessments on pentaBDE and octaBDE, the EU authorities considered that the usage of the substances should be restricted. The objectives are to protect health and the environment. Under the Directive, pentaBDE and octaBDE may not be placed on the market or used as a substance or as a constituent of substances or of preparations in concentrations higher than 0.1% by mass. Articles may not be placed on the market if they, or flame-retarded parts thereof, contain the substances in concentrations higher than 0.1% by mass. Members States are required to transpose the Directive into their national laws by 15 February 2004 and put into effect the provisions of the Directive from 15 August 2004.
ENQUIRIES
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For enquiries about the contents of this Circular, please contact the undersigned at telephone number 2398 5684.
Yours faithfully,
<p class="spacetop3> (Miss Sandra SOU)</p> <p class=" aleft"=""> 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.
- 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.