China Proposes Restriction of Hazardous Materials in PVC Artificial Leather
The World Trade Organization reports that in November 2007, the Standardization Administration of China notified the WTO of a proposed restriction on hazardous materials in Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) artificial leather in order to protect human health.
Sign up for a free preview to unlock the rest of this article
If your job depends on informed compliance, you need International Trade Today. Delivered every business day and available any time online, only International Trade Today helps you stay current on the increasingly complex international trade regulatory environment.
(China notified the WTO of this proposed restriction as required under the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) agreement.)
PVC Artificial Leather Commonly Used in Consumer Products
PVC artificial leather is commonly used to make various consumer products, including furniture, handbags, suitcases, wallets, shoes, belts, etc.
Standard Would Restrict Certain Hazardous Substances in PVC Artificial Leather
The proposed standard would restrict hazardous substances in PVC artificial leather as follows:
(1) PVC should not be more than 5mg/kg;
(2) Soluble plumbum should not be more than 90mg/kg;
(3) Soluble cadmium should not be more than 75mg/kg;
(4) Other volatile substances should not be more than 20g/sq.m.
Subject merchandise. The restriction would apply to PVC foamed or non-foamed artificial leather, with backing or non-backing based on PVC resin and properly added additives by techniques of coating, calendering, and/or compositing, under International Classification for Standards (ICS) numbers 83.140 and 59.080.40.
Entry into Force Expected in August 2008
China's proposed date of adoption was 90 days after the WTO's circulation of its notification, or approximately February 14, 2008. China's proposed date of the restriction's entry into force was six months after its adoption, or approximately August 14, 2008.
WTO notification (G/TBT/N/CHN/309, dated 11/14/07) available by query athttp://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tbt_e/tbt_e.htm