Written question asked by Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 2 November 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 November 1999. It was answered by Kim Howells (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 November 1999 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what response he has made to the statement made by the European Union Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment on 28th September on the adequacy of the tests developed by the Laboratory of the Government Scientist, for toys containing phthalates; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Opik: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what response he has made to the statement made by the European Union Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment on 28 September on the adequacy of the tests developed by the Laboratory of the Government Scientist, for toys containing phthalates; and if he will make a statement. [97464] Dr. Howells: My Department wrote to the Commission expressing disappointment that the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (SCTEE) could not accept the test developed by the LGC in its current form and concern that the Commission had not encouraged further discussion to address the points raised by the SCTEE. Many of the points raised in the SCTEE opinion could have been addressed in discussions between the LGC and the SCTEE before any final views were published. We believed, and continue to believe, that by working together it should be possible to establish a test which could be used for enforcement purposes across Europe, and which would have relevance beyond the safety of phthalates alone.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 337 c631W; 97464
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Hazardous substances Safety Testing Toys and games Government Chemist