. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/TBT/N/FRA/36 
27 September 2004 
 
 (04-4052) 
Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade Original:  French 
  
 
NOTIFICATION 
 
The following notification is being circ ulated in accordance with Article 10.6. 
 
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  FRANCE
 
If applicable, name of local government involved (Articles 3.2 and 7.2):   
2. Agency responsible:       
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare 
Directorate-General of Health Sub-Directorate of Environmental Risk Management 
Air, Soil and Waste Office 
8 Avenue de Ségur 753650 PARIS 07 SP 
Name and address (including telephone and fax numbers and E-mail and Web site 
addresses, if available) of  agency or authority designated to handle comments 
regarding the notification shall be  indicated if different from above:  
3. Notified under Article 2.9.2 [  X ], 2.10.1 [   ], 5.6.2 [   ], 5.7.1 [   ], other:   
4. Products covered (HS or CCCN where applicable, otherwise national tariff heading.
ICS numbers may be provided in  addition, where applicable):  Packaging for potentially 
infectious healthcare waste (particularly plastic drums and jerrycans, and boxes and small 
containers for sharp items). 
5. Title, number of pages and language(s) of the notified document:  Draft Circular on the 
Packaging of Potentially Infecti ous Healthcare and Related Waste. 
6. Description of content:   The purpose of this draft Circular aimed at health personnel is to 
specify the characteristics of the packaging used for potentially infectious healthcare and 
related waste, and to set out the criteria fo r choosing these products and the precautions to 
be observed in its use. 
7. Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: 
 This draft circular is being issued pur suant to the Order of 24 November 2003 on 
the packaging of potentially infectious healthcar e and related waste and anatomical waste.  
The purpose of this text is to ensure the safety of healthcare personnel, personnel 
responsible for disposing of waste, and the ge neral population, by favouring the marketing  
and use of packaging that is reliable and suited to the characteristics of potentially infectious 
waste. G/TBT/N/FRA/36 
Page 2  
 
 8. Relevant documents:    
• Public Health Code, in particular Articles R.1335-1 to R.1335-8; 
• Order of 7 September 1999 on storage procedures for potentially infectious 
healthcare and related waste and anatomical waste; 
• Order of 7 September 1999 on the control of disposal procedures for potentially 
infectious healthcare and related waste and anatomical waste; 
• Order of 24 November 2003 on the packaging of potentially infectious healthcare 
and related waste and human anatomical waste. 
9. Proposed date of adoption:  The draft order should be tabled for signature in 
November 2004.   
Proposed date of entry into force:  The circular is for immediate application.   
10. Final date for comments:  15 November 2004 
11. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [  X ] or address, telephone and fax 
numbers and E-mail and Web site add resses, if available, of other body: 
CINORTECH (National Information Centre on Standards and Technical Regulations) 
AFNOR (French Standards Association) 11, Avenue Francis de Pressensé 93571 SAINT-DENIS-LA PLAINE Cedex