Dáil debates

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Topical Issue Debate

Health and Safety Regulations

6:05 pm

Photo of Seán SherlockSeán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Okay. I take the point. I understand that the National Poisons Information Centre was in contact with the Health and Safety Authority, HSA, as the competent authority for detergent regulations last August to September, as it was concerned about the number of incidents reported - as highlighted by the Deputy - involving children and liquid detergent tablets. More than 50% of the inquiries to the poison centre's helpline related to incidents with "liquitabs" involving children, with the majority being between one to three years old.

These products are small, with a soft texture which means they are easy for children to pick up and squeeze or put into their mouths. I am stating the obvious. The National Poisons Information Centre was also aware of a report in the media in 2012 from Scotland, reporting five children, all under the age of two, who were admitted to hospital over an 18 month period as emergencies with stridor - or an abnormal breathing sound indicative of a blockage in the throat - and drooling after biting into a liquid detergent capsule. As a result of that and information from the UK, treatment guidelines now advise that "children aged under five years who are asymptomatic but have been exposed to this product within the last two hours should be referred for medical assessment". Therefore, it is essential that parents and guardians contact the National Poisons Information Centre for advice if their child ingests a "liquitab".

In response, the HSA met with the National Poisons Information Centre and with the manufacturing companies who are placing these products on the Irish market to discuss the issues arising. The HSA also brought the matter to the attention of the EU Commission and colleague EU member states. In response to its engagement with industry on the issue, all of those companies that place the products on the market in Ireland signed up to the voluntary product stewardship programme in December 2012, which involves commitments to change the packaging to reduce the visibility of the capsules and to restrict access to the capsules by small children. The programme also covers product information and communications about keeping these products out of the reach of children, as well as an awareness campaign designed to keep such products - along with household chemicals - out of the reach of children. The campaign is being prepared by the National Poisons Information Centre with the engagement of industry. All product packaging changes should be in place by June 2013. The HSA and the National Poisons Information Centre continue to monitor and review the progress of the product stewardship plan on an ongoing basis.

As recently as last month, the HSA met with the IBEC industry representatives and was updated on proposals in hand with the National Poisons Information Centre concerning awareness plans for the products, along with progress on changes to product packaging. Last November, the HSA formally raised the matter at EU level. In particular, the HSA sought to explore the possibility of taking action under the EU detergents regulation or the EU dangerous preparations directive as a means of addressing the current issue. The EU Commission's considered view was that if EU measures were considered necessary, the provisions of the general product safety directive could be used for immediate action and for long-term measures and what is known as a "restriction" proposal under the EU REACH regulation could be examined. The Commission has indicated, however, that while further discussion would be required with member states to determine the most appropriate measure, it would prefer to await the outcome of the voluntary action being undertaken by industry. I am close to the end of the response.

AISE - the EU industry representative organisation for the sector - explained that the capsules have been developed to meet "sustainability" challenges and consumer requests for "easy to use" detergents. One might say that could be deemed as a typical industry response. It also outlined the actions already put in place or ongoing by practically all individual companies concerned and presented proposals for further future actions, including specific labelling and warning icons on the packaging and awareness raising campaigns. I have a few more points to make but in recognition of the amount of time available I will conclude now and respond following Deputy Conway's supplementary questions.

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