Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 3

Written Answers. - Soft PVC Products.

Pat Rabbitte

Question:

112 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will support proposals from the EU Commission to restrict or ban soft PVC toys in member states in relation to the issue of phthalate leaching from soft PVC toys; her views on whether the issue of phthalates in soft PVC toys gives reason for concern in view of the most recent findings of the EU scientific committee on toxicity, ecotoxicity and the environment; the plans, if any, she has in this regard; if the Government will adopt a precautionary approach in protecting children from phthalates in soft toys; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11855/98]

David Stanton

Question:

119 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the safety or otherwise of soft PVC products and particularly toys made from PVC which contain phthalates; the Government's position with regard to a possible EU ban on some PVC based products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11901/98]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Treacy)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 119 together.

The initial findings by the EU Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (SCTEE) on the impact on children's health from the use of soft PVC toys containing phthalates in child care articles and toys was presented to a meeting of the EU Committee on Product Safety Emergencies on 3 March 1998. Ireland is represented on this committee by the Office of the Director of Consumer Affairs. The member states agreed at this meeting that there was a need to find a European solution to this problem.

Since that meeting the SCTEE has confirmed in a second opinion that the presence of phthalates in the products referred to gives cause for concern. I understand that this second opinion has prompted the EU Commission to draft the proposal referred to by the Deputies. In this regard, a draft decision adopting measures concerning the placing on the market of certain phthalate-containing toys and childcare articles is currently being considered by the Commission.

The findings of the SCTEE do raise concerns and are valuable in heightening awareness of the potential dangers of phthalate leaching from soft PVC toys. However, I can assure the Deputies that if a decision is taken by the Commission to restrict the placing on the market of the above products and this decision is in turn endorsed by the EU Committee on Product Safety Emergencies, the Director of Consumer Affairs will take whatever measures are necessary to comply with this decision.

Last year reports were received from Denmark about babies teething rings and pacifiers which contained phthalates and had failed the appropriate tests in Denmark. The Director of Consumer Affairs has already carried out an investigation in Ireland on foot of these reports and was not able to detect any of the models which had failed those tests. I am satisfied that appropriate vigilance is being maintained by the Director of Consumer Affairs in this regard and I have requested him to monitor developments closely.