edc connie lau

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Fringe Meeting at CI World Congress 2007Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Safety Campaign from the CSR Perspective – Safety Issues of Household Insecticide

Future Actions: What will we do to ensure safety of household insecticides

Ms Connie LAUChief Executive

Hong Kong Consumer Council

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IntroductionIntroduction

Pros Ample food su

pply Public health

ConsPotential risk to Human Environment

Insecticide

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IntroductionIntroduction

Need to strike a balance

RisksBenefits

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Consumer ExpectationConsumer Expectation

Right to safety

Beyond legal requirements

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Trader’s RoleTrader’s Role

Registration Mosquito coils with unregistered

ingredient S-2

Good example – choose environmental friendly

ingredients by patented process

Formulation

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Trader’s RoleTrader’s Role

Accurate

Comprehensive

Suitable languages

Reasonable font size

Symbols & Pictograms

Packaging & Labelling

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Trader’s Role

Transport & Storage Appropriate Containers

– Child proof caps

Packaging & Labelling

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Trader’s RoleTrader’s Role

Usage Right product Correct dosage Safety tips

Packaging & Labelling

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In case of Emergency Active ingredients Contact information

Difference of life & death !

Trader’s RoleTrader’s Role

Packaging & Labelling

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Trader’s RoleTrader’s Role

Disposal Discourage reuse of containe

rs Container collection schemes

Packaging & Labelling

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Trader’s RoleTrader’s Role

Keep track of uses & problems

Consider need for changes

After sale services

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Corporate Social Corporate Social ResponsibilityResponsibility

Consumers’ purchase decisions affect Environment Community

Voluntary code of practice International Code of Conduct on the

Distribution & Use of Insecticides

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Corporate Social Corporate Social ResponsibilityResponsibility

Improve competitiveness Build up reputation Boost investors’ confidence Benefit community

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Corporate Social Corporate Social ResponsibilityResponsibility

Least impact throughout full product cycle

from extraction of raw materials

to disposal of used products

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Consumer Survey in HKConsumer Survey in HK

78% take precautionary measures

62% don’t read labels

78% don’t know insecticides may contain endocrine disrupting chemicals

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Governments & Consumer Governments & Consumer BodiesBodies

Public Awareness Campaigns Registration system Health surveillance programs Monitor insecticide residue Establish database

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CIKL – Leader in Asia CIKL – Leader in Asia Pacific regionPacific region

Enhance consumer education Establish regional database Act as regional watchdog Lobby for regulation Contribute to global research

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ConsumersConsumers

Easier to prevent than control Keep house clean Remove

Moisture Food Shelter

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ConsumersConsumers

Non-chemical methods Less immediate effect Longer effective period Pose lower hazard

Explore alternative pest control methods

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ConclusionConclusion

Safety of insecticides requiresCollaborative efforts of ALL stakeholders

GovernmentsConsumer bodies Individual consumers

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THANK YOU !