HC Deb 04 March 1996 vol 273 cc7-8W
Mrs. Helen Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) what actions the Health and Safety Executive has taken in response to EC directive 92/58/EEC on safety signs in relation to United Kingdom brands of tampons; [18561]

(2) what action he is taking to ensure that tampons containing man-made fibre display a safety warning sign on the packets to comply with EC directive 92/58/EEC; [18558]

(3) if he will list the products which are required to comply with EC directive 92/58/EEC on safety signs. [18560]

Sir Paul Beresford

The EC Safety Signs Directive 92/58/EEC was made under article 118A of the treaty of Rome. This article exclusively concerns health and safety requirements for the workplace. Article 1 of the directive specifically excludes signs used in the marketing of products, and therefore no action of the sort envisaged by the hon. Member is required.

Mrs. Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what discussions on EC directive 92/58/EEC on safety signs have been held(a) in the Council of Ministers and (b) with the Commission. [18564]

Sir Paul Beresford

The European Commission first produced proposals in 1989 for a directive to replace an earlier, 1977, safety signs directive. A formal proposal to the Council of Ministers was published in early 1991, and common position was agreed by December of that year. The directive was then adopted by the Council of Ministers in June 1992.

Forward to