The European Union issued Commission Decision 2010/153/EU, extending the ban on dimethyl fumarate (DMF) (2009/251/EC) for another year, until March 15, 2011. EU member states were required to publish their implementation measures by March 15, 2010.
European Commission Decision 2009/251/EC, entitled "Requiring Member States to Assurance Not to Place or Sell Products Containing the Biocidal Agent Dimethyl Fumarate (DMF)," states that DMF has been found in furniture and footwear sold in several EU Member States, and is a major cause of harm to consumer health. According to clinical trials, DMF is a biocidal agent that prevents leather products from mold growth in humid climates. DMF is often contained in small pouches inside furniture or added to shoe boxes. DMF can evaporate and permeate into the product, preventing mold growth; however, it can also penetrate through clothing and onto the consumer's skin, causing contact dermatitis, itching, irritation, redness, and burns. In some cases, it can even cause breathing difficulties.
European Commission Decision 2009/251/EC applies to all consumer products, and products that, even if not intended for consumer use, may still be used by consumers. According to the decision, from 1 May 2009, products containing DMF were prohibited from being placed on the market. Member States were required to ensure that products containing DMF were withdrawn from the market and from consumers, and to ensure that consumers were fully aware of the dangers of such products. Products containing DMF are defined as products or product components that contain DMF (e.g., packaged in one or more small bags), or products or product components whose DMF concentration, by weight, does not exceed 0.1 ppm (0.1 mg/kg).
The EU's DMF ban is based on Article 13 of Directive 2001/95/EC: The Commission, after consulting with Member States, may approve emergency measures when it becomes aware of a serious danger posed by a particular product. These measures generally do not exceed one year, and the ban may be extended in the same manner.
The attached document contains the full text of resolution 2010/153/EU, which you may download yourself.
– Reference source: SGS e-newsletter & EU website, April 30, 2010, Attachment file:2010_153_EU.pdf
