HC Deb 26 January 1977 vol 924 cc667-8W
Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what action he is taking to implement the EEC Directive of 20th May 1975 relating to aerosol dispensers (No. 75/324/EEC); and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Fraser

My Department has today circulated a draft of proposed aerosol regulations to interested bodies for comment, including consumer and safety organisations, local authority associations and organisations representing all sections of the trade.

The regulations, to be made jointly under the European Communitics Act 1972 and the Consumer Protection Act 1961, will make it an offence for any aerosol to be marked with the symbol of the reversed epsilon unless it complies with the technical and labelling provisions prescribed in the directive. They will also prescribe safety requirements for aerosols which do not bear this mark and will ban the use of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) as a propellant in all aerosols.

The regulations will be made as soon as possible after completion of the consultations.