Ethylene oxide registration suspension revoked August 2003

The APVMA has revoked the suspension of registration of three products containing ethylene oxide (EtO). This follows approval of new labels for two of the products and registration of a replacement product for the third product.

The products are:

Product Number	Name of product	Registrant
41087	FUMIGAS 900	BOC Gases Australia Ltd
41088	FUMIGAS 100	BOC Gases Australia Ltd
50192	FUMIGAS 90	BOC Gases Australia Ltd

The product Fumigas 90 is being replaced by Fumigas Non Flammable Fumigant (product number 53895).

These new registrations limit the use of the products to the following commodities:

Plant fibre materials (rope, thatching and similar materials), polishes; leather articles, wood products (including timber furniture and home ware accessories), wicker ware, paper, bristles, clothes (not including undergarments and clothes which may be worn next to the skin) and curtain fabric (not backed with synthetic rubberised lining), footwear, hats, umbrellas, and walking sticks; ceramic products; glassware; metal materials such as machinery and parts, hand tools; musical instruments; clocks, electrical components; talc; cosmetics (provided that EtO cannot access the cream or liquid in a sealed container).

There are conditions on these treatments including that:

The treatment is required by AQIS for commodities being imported or exported;
The EtO products are not to be used to fumigate children's toys, food or drink containers or kitchen utensils used in food preparation, any item likely to be used in the mouth (eg. toothbrushes, toothpicks) or applied directly to the skin (eg. cosmetics) or clothing which may be worn in direct contact with the skin (eg undergarments);
The products are not to be used on goods whilst being transported;
The products are not to be used in premises and /or plants that have not been approved for such use by relevant local authorities;
Before treatment??, items wrapped in plastic are to be unwrapped or the packaging is to be partially opened or holed to allow gas to escape;
Items that contain substantial amounts of foam or other absorbent materials that may trap EtO must not be treated.

Labels for the products will shortly be available on PUBCRIS. Any person holding stock of the products with the old labels should contact BOC Gases to obtain a replacement label.

As BOC Gases Australia Limited has elected to replace Fumigas 90 with Fumigas Non-Flammable Fumigant, the APVMA has cancelled the registration of that product and issued the following notice in respect to stocks of the product:

NOTICE

Cancellation of Registration

The APVMA has received a request for voluntary cancellation of registration of the following product. The APVMA has determined that the reason given for this request is reasonable and has cancelled the registration of the product listed below:

Product Number	Product Name	Registrant
50192	Fumigas 90	BOC Gases Australia Ltd

The APVMA has previously determined that the label for the product was not adequate and cancelled the approval of all labels for the product. The Company does not intend to revise the label for the product but to replace the product with another product.

Registration was cancelled on 25 August 2003.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR DEALING WITH THE PRODUCT

The APVMA issues the following instructions for dealing with the product, which will remain in force until 31 October 2003:

Possession and Supply

Any person who has containers of the product must contact BOC Gases Australia Limited to obtain a copy of the APVMA approved label for the replacement product Fumigas Non Flammable Fumigant, which shows the NRA approval number 53895/0803.

Use

Any person who has containers of the product must only use the product in accordance with the instructions specified on the APVMA approved label for the replacement product Fumigas Non Flammable Fumigant (NRA approval number 53895/0803).

In accordance with section 55(3) of the Agvet Codes, any person who uses or otherwise deals with the above product in accordance with the APVMA's instructions is taken to have been issued with a permit to so use or otherwise deal with the product.

WARNING

A person must not deal with the cancelled product except in accordance with the instructions contained in this notice. A failure to comply with the instructions will result in an offence against the Agvet Codes, about which the APVMA will take appropriate action. It will be an offence for any person to supply or use this product after 31 October 2003.

For any queries or further information on this matter please contact Colin Byrnes in the APVMA's Pesticides Division on 02 6272 4850.

APVMA
PO Box E240
KINGSTON ACT 2604
AUSTRALIA
Fax: +61 (0)2 6272 4753