Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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Direction issued to local authorities on DMF
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has today issued a Direction to local authorities to recall and withdraw products containing an unauthorised biocide called DMF.
The European Commission has issued legislation requiring all EU member states to ensure no products containing DMF - Dimethylfumarate - are placed or made available on the market. This is under Article 13 of Directive 2001/95/EC (General Product Safety Directive).
Local authorities will be required to ensure that products containing DMF already placed or made available on the market are withdrawn.
Consumer Minister Gareth Thomas said: "Any goods containing DMF will be banned and we will be working closely with Trading Standards to ensure its swift implementation to fully protect consumers from this substance."
Notes to Editors
* The Decision becomes effective from 1st May 2009.
* DMF (Dimethylfumarate) is the subject of a consumer injury claim due to be heard in the High Court
* The safety of consumer products is covered by the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 and enforcement within the UK is the responsibility of Trading Standards.
* In 2007 a similar Article 13 Decision was implemented via a Direction of the Secretary of State concerning child resistant and child appealing cigarette lighters
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform
7th Floor, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET
Public enquiries +44 (0)20 7215 5000
Textphone +44 (0)20 7215
6740 (for those with hearing impairment)
http://www.berr.gov.uk
