§ Mr. BakerTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent advice her Department has issued to toy retailers in respect of toys containing phthalates. [49203]
§ Mr. Nigel Griffiths[holding answer 7 July 1998]: I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Chorley (Mr. Hoyle) on 1 July 1998, Official Report, columns 214–15, on the use of phthalates in toys. Since that reply, the European Commission has issued a statement recommending that Member States take steps to ensure that the migration of phthalates from PVC child-care articles and toys on their markets do not exceed the limits proposed by the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity, and Environment. I welcome the Commission's statement—it vindicates the approach the UK has taken in discussions with the Commission and other Member States. Manufacturers' and retailers' representatives are aware of the Commission's statement.