DMF Test
Dimethylfumarate (DMF) restriction in EU market.
Dimethylfumarate (DMF) restriction in EU market.
On 2 March 2011, the European Commission (EC) published a new Decision 2011/135/EU to extend the validity of Decision 2009/251/EC which requires Member States to ensure that products containing the biocide DMF are not placed or made available on the market. After 2010/153/EU, this is the second extension of DMF restriction.
Therefore, the restriction of DMF is effective until 15 March 2012, if no further extension or permanent restriction.
Highlights of the Decision are summarized following:
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Substance
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Scope of the restriction
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Limits
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Effective date
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DMF
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Consumer products
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0.1 mg/kg
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Until 15 March 2012
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DMF is a high-performance biocide and used in various consumer products to prevent them from going moldy in storage. However, the substance is found to cause serious skin burn in some cases. So in March 2009, the EU decided to restrict this compound in consumer products. Since then, there has been more than 180 recalls from the EU market and the recall products including furniture, toys, shoes, garments and hats. Some furniture retailers were ordered by the British High Court to pay 20 million pounds to the thousands of victims for the injuries caused by the presence of DMF in their products, which is believed to be the largest consumer group litigation in UK legal history.