SPARKLE Volume 454 / 30 June 2009

EU – Organotin Restrictions Extended to Consumer Goods

Beginning on 1 July 2010 current EU restrictions for the use of certain organotin (organostannic) compounds will be extended to cover many consumer products by Decision 2009/425/EC1. The existing bans on the use of organotins in anti-fouling paints/materials and for the treatment of industrial waters will remain.

Organotins are a family of substances in which organic (carbon-based) groups are bonded to one or more of the available four sites on a tin atom. Generally the mono-, di-, tri-substituted organotins are used, with the “spare” sites occupied by other chemical groups. Certain organotins have endocrine disruptive effects on aquatic organisms and can pose a risk to human health by immunotoxicity (suppress the immune system) and even be toxic to reproduction.

General For each of the new restrictions articles and mixtures placed on the market prior to the date shown will not be subject to the new restrictions.

Each maximum concentration is stated with respect to the weight of tin rather than the weight of the organotin compound(s) present.

A summary table with examples of the affected products is included at the end of this Sparkle.

Tri-substituted organostannic compounds From 1 July 2010, articles placed on the market shall contain a maximum concentration of tri-substituted organostannic compounds (e.g. tributyltin (TBT) compounds and triphenyltin (TPT) compounds) equivalent to 0.1 % by weight of tin, in the article or part thereof.

These requirements apply both to articles supplied to the public and other users too.

Dioctyltin (DOT) compounds From 1 January 2012 the following articles and mixtures placed on the market for supply to, or use by, the general public shall contain a maximum concentration of dioctyltin (DOT) compounds equivalent of 0.1 % by weight of tin in the article, or part thereof.

• Textile articles intended to come into contact with the skin • Gloves • Footwear or part of footwear intended to come into contact with the skin • Wall and floor coverings • Childcare articles • Female hygiene products • Nappies • Two-component room temperature vulcanisation moulding kits (RTV-2 moulding kits)

1 OJ L 138, 4.6.2009, p. 11, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2009:138:0011:0013:EN:PDF

Asia Pacific - 2/F, Garment Centre, 576 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2173 8888 Fax: +852 2786 1903 North America - 2107 Swift Dr., Ste 200, Oak Brook, IL 60623, Tel: +1 630 481 3111 Fax: +1 630 481 3101

Latin America - 8300 N.W. 53rd Street, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33166, Tel: +1 305 513 3000 Fax: +1 305 513 2856 Europe, Africa, Middle East - ECOPARC 2, 27400, Heudebouville, France, Tel: +33 2 32 09 36 36 Fax: +33 2 32 09 36 59

Web: www.intertek.com/consumergoods E-mail: consumergoods@intertek.com Disclaimer Intertek made all reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information. However, the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice or regarded as a substitute for legal advice. The reader should exercise his own care and judgment before relying on this information in any important matter. Copyright © 2010 Intertek Group. All Rights Reserved.

SPARKLE Volume 454 / 30 June 2009

(Continued) Dibutyltin (DBT) compounds

From 1 January 2012 articles and mixtures, except as listed below, placed on the market for supply to the general public shall contain a maximum concentration of dibutyltin (DBT) compounds equivalent of 0.1 % by weight of tin in the mixture or the article, or part thereof.

From 1 January 2015 the following articles and mixtures placed on the market for supply to the general public shall contain a maximum concentration of dibutyltin (DBT) compounds equivalent of 0.1 % by weight of tin in the mixture or the article, or part thereof.

• One-component and two-component room temperature vulcanisation sealants (RTV-1 and RTV-2 sealants) and adhesives.

• Paints and coatings containing DBT compounds as catalysts when applied on articles. • Soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) profiles whether by themselves or coextruded with hard PVC. • Fabrics coated with PVC containing DBT compounds as stabilisers when intended for outdoor

applications. • Outdoor rainwater pipes, gutters and fittings, as well as covering material for roofing and façades.

Exemptions: • Articles and mixtures solely not intended for supply to the general public (e.g. only for professional or

industrial use). Dual use articles and mixtures supplied to both the general public and other users are therefore not exempt and will have to comply with these restrictions.

• Materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, as covered by the framework MACF Regulation (EC) No 1935/20041.

The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food Directive 2002/72/EC, as amended 2, includes requirements for those organotins permitted in food contact plastics.

Should you have any queries on the above information, please contact: Richard Smith, tel: +44 (0)116 263 9620 / fax: +44 (0)116 282 4586 / e-mail: richard.smith@intertek.com 1 OJ L 338, 13.11.2004, p. 4, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2004:338:0004:0017:EN:PDF 2 OJ L 220, 15.8.2002, p. p.18, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2002L0072:20080327:EN:PDF

Asia Pacific - 2/F, Garment Centre, 576 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2173 8888 Fax: +852 2786 1903 North America - 2107 Swift Dr., Ste 200, Oak Brook, IL 60623, Tel: +1 630 481 3111 Fax: +1 630 481 3101

Latin America - 8300 N.W. 53rd Street, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33166, Tel: +1 305 513 3000 Fax: +1 305 513 2856 Europe, Africa, Middle East - ECOPARC 2, 27400, Heudebouville, France, Tel: +33 2 32 09 36 36 Fax: +33 2 32 09 36 59

Web: www.intertek.com/consumergoods E-mail: consumergoods@intertek.com Disclaimer Intertek made all reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information. However, the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice or regarded as a substitute for legal advice. The reader should exercise his own care and judgment before relying on this information in any important matter. Copyright © 2010 Intertek Group. All Rights Reserved.

SPARKLE Volume 454 / 30 June 2009

(Continued)

Summary of the New Organotin Compounds Restrictions Date Organotin Maximum

Conc. sesu/stcudorp fo selpmaxE epocS

1 July 2010

Tri-substituted organotin compounds (e.g. tributyltin (TBT) and Triphenyl tin (TPT)

0.1 % by weight of tin

All articles placed on the market Biocidal treatment of imported1 textiles and other articles. Known examples include:

• Non-allergenic pillows • Insoles for shoes • Padding of cycling

shorts • Foot spray

Articles and mixtures supplied to the general public

• Textile articles intended to come into contact with the skin

Prints on T-shirts and other garments

• Gloves PVC gloves • Footwear or part of footwear

intended to come into contact with the skin

PVC sandals

• Wall and floor coverings PVC products • Childcare articles PVC articles • Female hygiene products Sanitary panty liners • Nappies Non-woven polypropylene top

sheet, elastics and adhesives

1 January 2012

Dioctyltin (DOT) compounds

0.1 % by weight of tin

• Two-component room temperature vulcanisation moulding kits (RTV-2 moulding kits)

Silicone moulding kits

1 Tri-substituted organotins are no longer permitted for use as biocides within the EU.

Asia Pacific - 2/F, Garment Centre, 576 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2173 8888 Fax: +852 2786 1903 North America - 2107 Swift Dr., Ste 200, Oak Brook, IL 60623, Tel: +1 630 481 3111 Fax: +1 630 481 3101

Latin America - 8300 N.W. 53rd Street, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33166, Tel: +1 305 513 3000 Fax: +1 305 513 2856 Europe, Africa, Middle East - ECOPARC 2, 27400, Heudebouville, France, Tel: +33 2 32 09 36 36 Fax: +33 2 32 09 36 59

Web: www.intertek.com/consumergoods E-mail: consumergoods@intertek.com Disclaimer Intertek made all reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information. However, the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice or regarded as a substitute for legal advice. The reader should exercise his own care and judgment before relying on this information in any important matter.

Copyright © 2010 Intertek Group. All Rights Reserved.

SPARKLE Volume 454 / 30 June 2009

(Continued)

Summary of the New Organotin Compounds Restrictions Date Organotin Maximum

Conc. sesu/stcudorp fo selpmaxE epocS

1 January 2012

Dibutyltin (DBT) compounds

0.1 % by weight of tin

Articles, other than those listed below, supplied to the general public

• PVC products, PVC packaging and other PVC materials

• Polyurethane foams, printing inks, surface coatings, adhesives, shoes and shoe soles

• Polyester packaging materials and coatings

Certain articles supplied to the general public

• One-component and two-component room temperature vulcanisation sealants (RTV-1 and RTV-2 sealants) and adhesives

DIY sealants and adhesives

• Paints and coatings containing DBT compounds as catalysts when applied on articles

Coatings on articles

• Soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) profiles whether by themselves or coextruded with hard PVC

Window frames, cable ducts etc

• Fabrics coated with PVC containing DBT compounds as stabilisers when intended for outdoor applications

Outdoor furniture, tents, awnings etc

1 January 2015

Dibutyltin (DBT) compounds

0.1 % by weight of tin

• Outdoor rainwater pipes, gutters and fittings, covering material for roofing and façades

Asia Pacific - 2/F, Garment Centre, 576 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2173 8888 Fax: +852 2786 1903 North America - 2107 Swift Dr., Ste 200, Oak Brook, IL 60623, Tel: +1 630 481 3111 Fax: +1 630 481 3101

Latin America - 8300 N.W. 53rd Street, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33166, Tel: +1 305 513 3000 Fax: +1 305 513 2856 Europe, Africa, Middle East - ECOPARC 2, 27400, Heudebouville, France, Tel: +33 2 32 09 36 36 Fax: +33 2 32 09 36 59

Web: www.intertek.com/consumergoods E-mail: consumergoods@intertek.com Disclaimer Intertek made all reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information. However, the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice or regarded as a substitute for legal advice. The reader should exercise his own care and judgment before relying on this information in any important matter.

Copyright © 2010 Intertek Group. All Rights Reserved.