These Regulations give effect to Council Directive 91/338/EEC (O.J. No. L186, 12.7.91, p. 59) which amended Directive 76/769/EEC (O.J. No. L262, 27.9.76, p. 201) on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations.

Regulation 3 sets out exceptions to the Regulations.

Regulation 4 prohibits the use of cadmium to give colour to finished products made from certain plastics, and includes a prohibition in relation to additional plastics. The regulation also prohibits the marketing of products manufactured from those plastics.

Regulation 5 imposes marketing restrictions in relation to levels of cadmium in certain paints.

Regulation 6 prohibits the use of cadmium to stabilise certain finished products made from PVC, and the marketing of such products.

Regulation 7 prohibits the use of cadmium in the metallic plating of certain products, and the marketing of those products so plated.

Regulation 8 makes it a criminal offence to contravene regulation 4, 5, 6 or 7 and specifies the penalties for such offences.

Copies of the relevant Directives may be obtained from The Stationery Office Bookshop, 16 Arthur Street, Belfast BT1 4GD.