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The Administration today (November 19) issued a public consultation note to seek views on a proposal to impose concentration limits on phthalates contained in plasticised parts of toys and child care articles.
Phthalates are commonly used as plasticisers in polyvinyl chloride products and products containing plastic components. Studies have shown that chronic exposure to some phthalates, namely diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), di-isononyl phthalate (DINP), di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) and di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP), may result in adverse health effects, including toxicity to the liver, kidney, as well as the reproductive and development systems. Advanced economies such as the European Union, the United States, Australia, Canada and Singapore have imposed concentration limits on these phthalates in certain types of toys and child care articles.
The Administration proposes to impose similar restrictions on phthalates in alignment with those adopted in the above mentioned economies. Details of the proposal are contained in a consultation note which is available at the following link: www.cedb.gov.hk/citb/doc/en/Consultation_Note_Phthalates_Eng.pdf¡@.
The consultation period commences today and will last until January 19, 2013. Members of the public are welcome to send their views to the Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau by post (23/F, West Wing, Central Government Offices, 2 Tim Mei Avenue, Tamar, Hong Kong) or email (tcpso_phthalates_2012@cedb.gov.hk).
Ends/Monday, November 19, 2012
Issued at HKT 16:33
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