Formaldehyde Ban set for 22 Sept 2007

After nearly 10 years of planning the day has now been set for the banning of formaldehyde/formalin within Europe. This ban on sales and marketing comes on the heel of a ban on phenol in 2006. This impending ban is on top of the REACH ban on its manufacture and the ban brought in by the French Government under its CMR program earlier this year.

Someone in Brussels with a sense of timing or indeed a sense of humour has set the date for the 22nd of September 2007. This date is by coincidence the product code for embalming and taxidermy PT22.

This ban means that anyone currently using formaldehyde based products for embalming will need to seek an alternative or risk prosecution.

Why is it so important to ban formaldehyde? I think you will amply find this answer by Googling cancer!

How do I find out more of these risks? Please look up CMR or Carcinogen, Reproduction, Mutagen. Also look up REACH, IARC and HSE/COSHH.

Does this mean that we will have bodies stacked up in the streets? Not according to French/Dutch Group Facultatieve who feel they have the answer for the industry - Aardbalm. This non-toxic alternative to formaldehyde is they assure us better, safer and more importantly saves the planet.

For more information see links below or contact your local Health a Safety Office.

Contact Information

Alkesh Patel

CMR Risks

PEAM

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