§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will introduce mandatory kite-marking of condoms on sale in Britain, to conform to the British Standard Institution's requirements; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanWe have no plans to make the new standard mandatory, although the matter is under review while an international standard is being considered.
The standard for condoms set by the British Standards Institute (BS 3704.1989) was issued on 30 March 1989. It has been approved under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 which makes it easier for action to be taken, for example, by trading standards officers, against suppliers of condoms which do not meet the standard.