Update on Proposed Norwegian Regulation to Ban Hazardous Substances in Consumer Products


Update on Proposed Norwegian Regulation to Ban Hazardous Substances in Consumer Products

On 20 December 2011, Norway notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) about a proposed amendment to the Norwegian Product Regulations. The amendment, known as the “Prohibition on Certain Hazardous Substances in Consumer Products (PoHS),” would ban four hazardous substances (Lead, PCP, PFOA and MCCP) from use above a specific limit in nearly all consumer products. The ban is scheduled to enter into force on 1 July 2012.

Background
Norway originally notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade about a proposed ban on 18 hazardous substances in Consumer Products on 8 June 2007. This ban was never adopted but has partly been covered by several European (EU) legislations.

On 20 December 2011, the WTO received a notification regarding this proposed ban from Norway. According to this revision, only Lead, PCP, PFOA and MCCP, four of the original 18 substances, will be subject to the proposed ban. The proposed date of adoption is now Spring 2012 and the proposed date of entry into force is 1 July 2012.

Substances Proposed for Ban in Consumer Products
 

Substances of Concern Specific limit
Medium-chained chlorinated paraffins, C14-C17 (MCCP) 0,1 % by weight in articles
Lead and lead compounds 0,01 % by weight in articles
0,05 % by weight in recycled glass
Perfluorooctyl acid (PFOA) and individual salts and esters of PFOA 1 ppm in articles
1 µg/m² in textiles
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) 5 ppm (except for textiles and leather, regulated separately)

* Note: Depending on the specific substance, different exceptions are foreseen.

Additional Information:
Notification of Norway to the WTO of 20.12.2011: (For Document Search by Symbol use: G/TBT/N/NOR/17/Rev.1)
http://docsonline.wto.org/DDFDocuments/t/G/Tbtn07/NOR17R1.doc

Further Information on specific limits and exceptions (Refer to No 2010/9016 – 9019/N):
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/tris/pisa/app/search/index.cfm?sCountry=N&iMonths=-24&FUSEACTION=pisa_search_results&STYPE=RECENT&lang=en


Bureau Veritas Solutions and Services

Bureau Veritas offers a wide range of chemical management solutions to help you overcome the challenges of complying with this and other regulations. To find out how we can assist you in meeting a variety of requirements visit: www.bureauveritas.de/cps, www.bureauveritas.co.uk/cps, www.bureauveritas.fr/cps, or email: cps-hamburg@de.bureauveritas.com

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