The Plastic Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Scotland) Regulations 2009

Restriction on the use of monomers in the manufacture of plastic materials and articles

4.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (3), (4) and (5), no person may use any monomer other than a permitted monomer in the manufacture of any plastic material or article.

(2) A permitted monomer is any monomer which is–

(a) of good technical quality;

(b) identified by PM/REF No, CAS No (if any) and name in columns 1, 2 and 3 respectively of Section A or B of Annex II; and

(c) used in accordance with any restrictions and specifications for that monomer set out or referred to in column 4 of the corresponding entry.

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply to the use of a monomer in the manufacture of any–

(a) surface coatings obtained from resinous or polymerised products in liquid, powder or dispersion form, including but not limited to varnishes, lacquers and paints;

(b) epoxy resins;

(c) adhesives and adhesion promoters; or

(d) printing inks.

(4) Paragraph (1) shall not be taken to prohibit the manufacture of any plastic material or article with any substance which falls within paragraph 3(c) (relating to mixtures of authorised substances) of Annex II and is of good technical quality.

(5) In any proceedings for an offence under these Regulations where it is alleged that a plastic material or article does not comply with paragraph (1) because it was manufactured with any monomer (whether or not of good technical quality) other than one mentioned in paragraph (2)(b), it is a defence for the accused to prove that each such monomer–

(a) is present in the finished plastic material as an impurity, a reaction intermediate or a decomposition product which falls within paragraph 3(a) of Annex II; or

(b) is an oligomer or a natural or synthetic macromolecular substance or a mixture thereof which falls within paragraph 3(b) of that Annex,

and is of good technical quality.

(6) Schedule 1 has effect to supplement this regulation.