Written answers

Wednesday, 23 March 2005

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Health and Safety Regulations

9:00 pm

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 191: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he has satisfied himself that consumers are not at risk from air fresheners for sale in the State which may contain substances that irritate the respiratory tract or cause cancer; if he has further satisfied himself that air fresheners have undergone toxicology testing before they are put on the market, that advertising and marketing of such products are regulated and that they do not carry misleading messages such as that they purify the air or are a natural product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9634/05]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The European Communities (General Product Safety) Regulations 2004 place a requirement on producers and distributors to ensure that the products they place on the market do not pose a hazard to consumers. Enforcement of these regulations is the responsibility of the Director of Consumer Affairs. The director is given authority to ensure that products placed on the market are safe and that producers and distributors of such products comply with their obligations under these regulations and the directive. I am informed that the director is not aware of any risk to consumers from air fresheners on sale in the State.

The principal legislative provisions covering warning labels on dangerous substance and preparation products are set out in the European Communities (Classification, Packaging, Labelling and Notification of Dangerous Substances) Regulations 2003, SI No. 116 of 2003 and European Communities (Classification, Packaging and Labelling of Dangerous Preparations) Regulations 2004, SI No. 62 of 2004.

The principal legislative provisions covering the marketing and use of dangerous substances and preparations are set out in the European Communities (Dangerous Substances and Preparations) (Marketing and Use) Regulations 2003, SI No. 220 of 2003, the European Communities (Dangerous Substances and Preparations) (Marketing and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2003, SI No. 503 of 2003, and the European Communities (Dangerous Substances and Preparations) (Marketing and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 2004, SI No. 852 of 2004. These regulations, enforced by the Health and Safety Authority, transpose into Irish law and implement the latest EU directives in the dangerous substances and preparations area.

Implementation of the regulations governing the labelling and use of dangerous substances is designed to alert users, in the most effective manner, as to the potential dangers associated with such products and to heighten the general level of awareness of the public in their use of substances of this nature. In addition, the provisions of the Consumer Information Act 1978 prohibit the use of misleading advertising in relation, inter alia, to goods which would result in injury or damage to consumers.

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