NETHERLANDS: CLEANING AGENTS The following notification is being circulated in accordance with Article 10.6. G/TBT/Notif. 96.368. 1. Member to Agreement notifying: NETHERLANDS. If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2): 2. Agency responsible: Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports. Agency or authority designated to handle comments regarding the notification can be indicated if different from above: National Enquiry Point. 3. Notified under Article 2.9.2. 4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading. ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable): Cleaning agents i.e. products containing wash-active substances: washing powder and other cleaning agents to clean clothes and other textiles, as well as soap for human hygiene. 5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document: (Draft) Order Governing Withdrawal of the Cleaning Agents Order (Food and Drugs Act) 1976 (2 pages, in English). 6. Description of content: The purport of the Order is to fully withdraw the Cleaning Agents Order (Food and Drugs Act) 1976. The latter Order contains requirements both in terms of indication and composition regarding the products listed under 4. 7. Objective and rationale: Withdrawal has been prompted by the need for deregulation (e.g. dosage regulations on packaging) and for reasons of a legal nature at European level. The Cleaning Agents Order contains provisions which contravene European legislation governing cosmetics (Dir. 76/768/EEC). Thirdly, the said products are already regulated in terms of their labelling by Directive 88/379/EEC. This Directive has been implemented in the Netherlands in accordance with the Act on Substances Harmful to the Environment. 8. Relevant documents: Cleaning Agents Order (Food and Drugs Act) 1976. 9. Proposed date of adoption: Proposed date of entry into force: 4 January 1997. 10. Final date for comments: 3 January 1997. (298)

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