Modelkits On The Eu Bans List?

[B777LR]

I read in a newspaper today that the European Union has banned 976 products now, mainly toys that are hazardous to children. Ive not been able to find this list, but does anybody know if model kits are on it? (i hope not)      

[Jennings]

Haven't seen the list, but I doubt it.  Model kits sold in the EU are required to have all the proper warning labels and age suggestions, etc.  If a mfr is abiding by those rules, and is marketing their products properly, I can't see how the insane desire to make the world a totally safe place is going to extend that far.

If it does, I foresee a lot of law suits in the EU courts as to how the EU's edict can simply wipe out an entire industry (albeit a small one by most standards).

That sounds more like something America would do.  And then switch the model kit production facilities (the one that isn't in China) over to the manufacture of handguns and ammunition to sell to every Tom, Dick, & Harry with Rambo fantasies...

J

[P1127]

AS a Trading Standards Officer, I can say that these are undoubtably dangerous toys, rather than specific types such as Model kits.

teddy bears with razor blades in them etc

[Mossie]

Years ago, me & a mate went for the same YTS placement at Trading Standards, he got it.  Although most of the work he did was with food, he would tell stories of some lethal products that would come through customs, a lot of them about toys.  Soft toys with the heads fastened on by metal spikes, toy cannons that used gunpowder, toys that were coated with toxic paints containing arsenic & other nasties.  Usually it was from sources outside the EU trying to import in that were not bound by our rules (unless of course, they were trying to import), but occasionally they'd be from unscrupolous companies inside Europe.  Not nice.

One thing that will almost certainly change in modelling in the EU is the banning of enamel paints.  There's a good, safer alternative in acrylics & their keen for us not to breathe in the vaopurs from organic chemicals that have to be controlled if you work in industry.  You can't get vinyl kits any more either, although only a small number of manufacturers used it.  The PVC was harmless once it got to us, but it wasn't so good in it's powdered form that was used in it's manufacture.  This could cause cancer in the people making the stuff & again there's safer alternatives.  Unless the EU deems that it is dangerous to the end user or those manufacturing it (& that a safe alternative is freely available), we'll be okay with styrene kits for some time at least.

[Geoff]

So we can have the kits but not the nasty dangerous glue to put them togeather?

[Martin H]

So we can have the kits but not the nasty dangerous glue to put them togeather?

I wouldnt put it past those free loading slime balls in Brussels Geoff.


me a euro sceptic?   what ever gives you that idea LOL.

[Geoff]

More likely some aerospace buisness will try to patent the shade of grey they use and charge royalties to the paint makers!
A nice little earner methinks!
That would drive the JMNs MAD.

[The Rat]

teddy bears with razor blades in them etc

Rabid Teletubbies with dripping fangs...

[nev]

If it does, I foresee a lot of law suits in the EU courts as to how the EU's edict can simply wipe out an entire industry (albeit a small one by most standards).

We're talking about the EU here - the people who send fruit stall holders to jail for selling fruit by the lb, rather than by the kg.

As for enamels, yes, they will be banned in the next 2 years or so under the upcoming REACH regulations.  They're not being banned so much for their outlandish hazards (or not), more because a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative is available in acrylic paints (REACH works on that double pronged approach).

Hence why Revell have a new range of acrylic paints out...

[NARSES2]

If it does, I foresee a lot of law suits in the EU courts as to how the EU's edict can simply wipe out an entire industry (albeit a small one by most standards).

We're talking about the EU here - the people who send fruit stall holders to jail for selling fruit by the lb, rather than by the kg.

As for enamels, yes, they will be banned in the next 2 years or so under the upcoming REACH regulations.  They're not being banned so much for their outlandish hazards (or not), more because a safer, more environmentally friendly alternative is available in acrylic paints (REACH works on that double pronged approach).

Hence why Revell have a new range of acrylic paints out...

Having got involved in some early discussions in how REACH effects the steel industry I'm glad I retired    

[SPINNERS]

Could somebody please point them in the direction of the Starfix Spitfire  

[B777LR]

Could somebody please point them in the direction of the Starfix Spitfire

   

and dont forget hobbycrap and zengdefu