These Regulations give effect to Commission Directive 2004/21/EC relating to Restrictions on the Marketing and Use of ‘azo colourants’ (thirteenth adaptation to technical progress of Council Directive 76/769/EEC) (O.J. No. L57, 25.2.2004, p.4).

The Controls on Certain Azo Dyes and “Blue Colourant” Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/3310) (the principal Regulations) implemented restrictions on the marketing and use of azocolourants and “blue colourant”. These Regulations set out the testing methods for azocolourants which Directive 2004/21/EC requires to be used.

A Regulatory Impact Assessment, which covered the costs of testing, was prepared in relation to the principal Regulations and placed in the library of each House of Parliament; in consequence no further RIA has been prepared for this Regulation. A copy of the RIA can be obtained from Department of the Environment Food and Rural Affairs, Chemicals and GM Policy Division, Ashdown House, 123 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6DE or from the Department of Trade and Industry, Consumer and Competition Policy Directorate, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET. A transposition note in relation to these Regulations has also been prepared and placed in the Library of each House. A copy may be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry at the above address.

Copies of the standards referred to in this Order are available from any of the sales outlets operated by the British Standards Institution, by post from BSI at 389 Chiswick High Road, London W4 4AL or from any of the bookshops operated by the Stationery Office Limited.