Consumer Chair backs rights for 'sofa burn' victims and announces new European ban on DMF - 2009-03-26

Labour's Consumer Protection Champion, Arlene McCarthy MEP has today raised the case of 4,000 British victims of 'sofa burn' who go to the High Court tomorrow.

Speaking in the European Parliament in Strasbourg Arlene announced an EU-wide ban on all products containing DMF (dimethylfumarate), the fungicide responsible for severe allergic reactions.

Labour Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee, Arlene McCarthy MEP said: "Some sofas and other household and footwear products which contain the chemical DMF have been identified as causing severe allergic reactions, including serious burns. We have acted to protect consumers and from 1^st May 2009 products containing DMF will be banned in the EU."

"DMF is already banned for use in the EU but is present in some imported products. We therefore need to urgently close this loophole to protect consumers' health."

NOTE TO EDITORS:

More than 5,000 people in the UK have now reported skin, chest and eye injuries after using imported furniture.

The UK's largest Group Litigation Order for a consumer product is now being led by Russell, Jones and Walker who are representing nearly 4,000 people.

The High Court is due hear the case on Friday 27^th March against the three retailers who sold sofas containing DMF in the UK.

Background notes

Consumer products such as upholstered furniture and footwear have been identified as the origin of damage to the health of consumers in France, Poland, Finland, Sweden and the UK, and the list of RAPEX notifications is growing.

The symptoms - itching, irritation, redness, burns, dermatitis and, in some cases, acute respiratory troubles - were caused by the chemical dimethylfumarate (DMF). This is a biocide which prevents moulds that may cause deterioration of products during storage or transport in a humid climate. DMF was contained in little pouches fixed inside the product or its packaging. It evaporated and impregnated the product, thus protecting it from moulds, but at the same time causing severe allergic reactions to consumers who were in contact with the products. It is indeed a potent sensitizer, and the treatment has required oral corticosteroids (instead of the usual topical steroids) according to a UK hospital report.

The use of DMF as a biocide is not authorised in the EU. However, there is no explicit legal restriction when DMF is present in products (or raw materials of products) that are imported into the Community. The urgency to close this loophole does not allow the Commission to remain inactive until a permanent legislative solution becomes available.

To prevent the health damage to consumers caused by products containing DMF imported into the EU the Commission intends to adopt a Decision which orders Member States to ensure that, from 1 May 2009, products containing DMF are prohibited from being placed or made available on the market.

In addition, products containing DMF already placed or made available on the market before that date must be withdrawn from the market and recalled from consumers, and consumers must be adequately informed of the risk posed by such products.

For more information please call the European Parliamentary Labour Party press officer, Silke Thomson on +32 479 790 053.

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