Sparkle vol 432 eu publishes decision 2009 251 ec banning the use of dimethyl fumarate _dmf_.doc

EU publishes Decision 2009/251/EC banning the use of dimethyl fumarate (DMF)

Published today in the EU Official Journal is Commission Decision 2009/251/EC requiring Member States to ensure that products containing
the biocide dimethylfumarate are not placed or made available on the market

What is Dimethyl Fumarate?
It is a substance which has been used as a fungicide in leather products, for example, to prevent mould
forming that may deteriorate leather, furniture, footwear or leather accessories during storage or transport
in a humid climate.
Why is it a problem?
Several EU Member States - France, Finland, Poland, Sweden and the UK - have reported problems
where leather furniture and footwear has caused hundreds of consumers to experience severe and
painful allergic reactions. These allergies have been linked with the use of DMF in these products. The
Commission Decision explains further
DMF was most often contained in little pouches fixed inside the furniture or added to the footwear boxes.
It thus evaporated and impregnated the product, protecting it from moulds. However, it then also
affected consumers who were in contact with the products. DMF penetrated through the clothes onto
consumers’ skin where it caused painful skin contact dermatitis, including itching, irritation, redness, and
burns; in some cases, acute respiratory troubles were reported. The dermatitis was particularly difficult
to treat. The presence of DMF is thus a serious risk.


What does the Commission Decision require?

• As of 1 May 2009 Member States shall ensure that products containing DMF are prohibited from being placed or made available on the market. • As of 1 May 2009 Member States shall ensure that products containing DMF and already placed or made available on the market are withdrawn from the market and recalled from consumers, and that consumers are adequately informed of the risk posed by such products. Asia Pacific - 2/F, Garment Centre, 576 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2173 8888 Fax: +852 2786 1903
North America - 2107 Swift Dr., Ste 200, Oak Brook, IL 60623, Tel: +1 630 481 3111 Fax: +1 630 481 3101
Latin America - 8300 N.W. 53rd Street, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33166, Tel: +1 305 513 3000 Fax: +1 305 513 2856
Europe, Africa, M iddle East - 91 Rue Du General De Gaul e, 27100 Le Vaudreuil, France, Tel: +33 2 32 09 36 36 Fax: +33 2 32 09 36 59
Disclaimer Intertek made all reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information. However, the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice or regarded as a substitute for legal advice. The reader should exercise his own care and judgment before relying on this information in any important matter. Copyright 2009 Intertek Group. All Rights Reserved.
What does “containing DMF” mean?
There are specific definitions for “products containing DMF” given in the Decision.
“Product containing DMF’ means any product or any part of a product where either:
• The presence of DMF is declared, such as on one or more pouches; or
• The concentration of DMF is greater than 0.1 mg/kg of the weight of the product or part of the
The Commission Decision document can be viewed in full at

Testing for DMF
Test methods used to detect DMF must have a limit of detection of 0.1mg /kg or less.
Intertek has developed a suitable test method and this test is available at a number of Intertek locations.
If you have any queries about this, please contac
Asia Pacific - 2/F, Garment Centre, 576 Castle Peak Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2173 8888 Fax: +852 2786 1903
North America - 2107 Swift Dr., Ste 200, Oak Brook, IL 60623, Tel: +1 630 481 3111 Fax: +1 630 481 3101
Latin America - 8300 N.W. 53rd Street, Suite 400, Miami, FL 33166, Tel: +1 305 513 3000 Fax: +1 305 513 2856
Europe, Africa, M iddle East - 91 Rue Du General De Gaul e, 27100 Le Vaudreuil, France, Tel: +33 2 32 09 36 36 Fax: +33 2 32 09 36 59
Disclaimer Intertek made all reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy of the information. However, the information provided should not be relied upon as legal advice or regarded as a substitute for legal advice. The reader should exercise his own care and judgment before relying on this information in any important matter. Copyright 2009 Intertek Group. All Rights Reserved.

Source: http://www.intertek.co.kr/bbs/boarddata/sparkle/vol432EUpublishes2009_251_ECbanningtheuseofdimethylfumarate(DMF).pdf