PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION AMENDING DECISION 89/45/EEC ON A COMMUNITY SYSTEM FOR THE RAPID EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION ON DANGERS ARISING FROM THE USE OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Date: 1990-05-04
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: advisory committee (EU), consumer goods, consumer information, consumer protection, exchange of information

COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

COM(90) 172 final 

Brussels, 4  May 1990 

REPORT  FROM THE COMMISSION 

on a Community  system for the rapid  exchange of information on dangers 

arising  from the use of consumer products in accordance  with 

Article 8 of the Council Decision of 21 December 1988 

(89/45/EEC) 

Proposal  f or  a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

amending  Decision  89/45/EEC  on  a  Community  system  f or  the  rapid  exchange 

of  information  on  clangers  a r i s i ng  from  the  use  of  consumer  products 

(presented  by  the  Commission) 

-2-

I.  INTRODUCTION 

The Commission  has prepared  this  report  in accordance  with  Article  8 of 

Decision  89/45/EEC  of  21  December  1988  on  a  Community  system  for  the 

rapid  exchange  of  information  on  dangers  arising  from  the  use  of 

consumer  products.  Decision  89/45/EEC  is  the  successor  to  Council 

Decision  34/133/EEC  which  set  up the  System  in  March  1984,  since which 

time there have been two  reports on  its  working 

1 

II. DESCRIPTION  OF HOW THE SYSTEMS  FUNCTIONS 

The  Rapid  Exchange  System  has  functioned  as  a  general  short  term 

surveillance  and  alarm  system  since  1984  and  is  designed  to  cope  with 

cases  of  serious  and  immediate  danger  to  consumers  occurring  when 

everyday  products  are  either  not  manufactured  to  the  required  standard 

or are badly  conceived  in the  first place. 

Article  2  of  the  present  Decision  established  that  the  system  should 

cover  all  products  intended  for  use  by  consumers  except  those  intended 

exclusively  for  professional  use  and  those  which  under  other  Community 

instruments  are the subject  of equivalent  notification procedures. 

The System  has been  operated  by  the  Commission,  in accordance  with  the 

detailed  procedures  approved  by  the  Commission  on 31.7.1985  as provided 

for  under  Article  4  of  the  Decision.  Member  States  appoint 

contact 

points,  consisting  of  persons  from  the  food  products  sectors  and  the 

non-food  sectors,  who  are  responsible  for  transmitting  and  receiving 

notifications  from  the Commission. 

For  the more  efficient  functioning 

of  the  system  the  Commission  itself  has  a  contact  point  for  food 

products  and a contact  point  for non-food  products.  The food network  is 

managed  by  D6  III  and  the  non-food  network  is  managed  by  the  Consumer 

1. 

Interim  Report  COM  (86) 562 of  24.10.86 

Report  C0MC88) 121 of  11.3.88 

-3-

Policy  Service. 

Whenever  a  Member  State  adopts  a measure  to  prevent, 

restrict,  or  attach  particular  conditions  to  the  marketing  or  use of 

consumer products  because  of  the  risks  they  pose  to consumers,  it must 

notify  the  appropriate  Commission  contact  points. 

The  Commission,  in 

turn,  transmits  that  information  to the  other  Member  States,  in order 

that they may take appropriate  action.  All  Member  States must  report to 

the Commission  on the action  they  have taken.  It  is especially  provided 

for  under  the  Decision  that,  "whenever  possible,  the  producer, 

distributor  or  importer  of  the  product  shall  be  consulted".  Prior 

consultation  is  not  only  a  valuable  means  of  checking  the  available 

information  but  has also  a  preventive  effect:  producers  and  importers 

may  voluntarily  take  action  by  recalling  or  withdrawing  products  when 

approached  by  the competent  authorities  even  in cases  in which  the risk 

is not  established  to  an  extent  that  would  allow action  to be  taken by 

Member  States.  Prior  consultation  also  permits  to  avoid  unnecessary 

conflict between producers  or  importers  and  the authorities. 

The  Informal  Rapid  Exchange  System  for  foodstuffs  has been  in existence 

since 1978 and 

operates with  the following  variation  in procedure. 

A "red"  telephone,  that  is  a direct  line  installed  in  the  relevant 

"Food-products"  service  at  the  Commission  as  well  as  a  telex  link 

are  used  by  the  contact  point  in  each  Member  state  to  send 

information  directly  to the  Commission.  The Commission  evaluates the 

information  received  and  is  able  to  automatically  transmit  the 

message  received  to the other  contact  points. 

The  way  notifications are  dealt  with  varies  considerably  between  Member 

States,  owing  to  differences  in  the  responsibilities,  powers  and 

structures of the authorities  responsible. 

However,  in general terms, 

all Member  States follow the  following  steps: 

-4-

1. The contact  point  in  the national  authority  designated  under  Article 

5  (normally  a  Ministry)  decides  which  other  Ministry  or  Ministries 

are competent  to deal  with  the  notification. 

If  there  is  no other 

body to accept  the  file,  it  is  dealt  with  by the  national  authority 

itself  (Belgium, Denmark, Greece). 

2. A check  on  the  market  is  then  carried  out  to  ascertain  whether  the 

product  is on sale.  In Portugal, enquiry  is also made of the customs 

department  to  know  if  there  is  any  record  of  the  product  being 

imported. 

In  the  case  of  certain  countries  (Belgium  -  for  certain 

product  areas  -  Greece, 

France,  Ireland,  Italy,  Luxembourg, 

Netherlands,Portugal  and  United  Kingdom)  the  national  authority  has 

at  its  disposal  an  Inspectorate  which  is  able  to  make  this  check 

throughout  the territory  of  the Member  States. 

3. If and when  a notified  product  is found  on sale,  most  countries have 

it  tested  for  the  reported  danger  in  an  official  or  officially 

approved  laboratory. 

If the danger  is confirmed,  subsequent  action 

depends on the  legal powers  available. 

4. In certain  countries  (Denmark,  Germany,  Greece, Netherlands, Spain, 

France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal  and  United  Kingdom), any 

consumer  product  can  be  either  temporarily  blocked  or  banned  as 

appropriate. 

In  Belgium  this  power  only  extends  to  certain 

categories  of  products which  causes problems  when  action  needs to be 

taken  concerning  non-regulated  products.  In the  Federal  Republic of 

Germany  the  power  to  block  has  certain  limitations  concerning  the 

withdrawal  of products  from shops. 

Ninety-eight  notifications  were  received  since  the  last  report  in  1988 

and  a  list of  these  notifications  for  the  food  and  non-food  sectors  are 

attached  to this  report  at annex II. 

-5-

Coordination  with  Member  States 

The  Consultative  Committee  which  assists  the  Commission  in  the 

implementation  and  management  of  the  System  was  created  under  the 

original  Decision  and was  continued  under  the  Decision  89/45/EEC. 

For 

several  reasons  this  Committee  has not met  since  July  18 1988.  This was 

mainly  due  to  discussions  within  the  Commission's  services  on  how  to 

improve  the  system  and  the  discussion  on  the  revision  of  the  detailed 

procedures. 

However  in the  future  the  Commission  will ensure  that  this 

Committee meets on a frequent basis. 

III.EQUIVALENT  SYSTEMS 

Article  2  of  Decision  89/45/EEC  provides  for  equivalent  notification 

systems to be excluded. 

These  comprise of  pharmaceuticals,  which  come 

under  Directives  75/319 and  81/851  arid animals  and  animal  products,  to 

which  Directive  82/894 applies. 

In addition  to the  above,  the  following  are  now  regarded  as equivalent 

systems  :  Products  of  animal  origin  as  far  as  they  are  covered  by 

Directive  89/662/EEC,  and the  system  for  radiological  emergencies which 

covers  widespread 

contamination 

of  products 

(Council 

Decision 

87/600/EURATOM). 

IV. EVALUATION 

When the  Council  adopted  the  Decision  89/45/EEC  continuing  the  System it 

invited  the Commission  to  reexamine  the  system  with  a view  to  improving 

its operation  if necessary. 

It  has  been  suggested  that  the  present  arrangement  gives  rise  to 

duplication  in the handling  of notifications and to cases where  the need 

for  a  strict  checking  of  the  criteria  before  the  transmission  of  a 

-6-

notification  to Member  States has not  been  respected.  Identification of 

products  by  Member  States  receiving  the  notifications  continued  to be 

another  problem. 

1) The Avoidance of  Duplication 

Duplication  can arise  in two situations  : 

a. Where  the  same  product  is  reported  to  both  DG  III and  the  Consumer 

Service. 
Service. 

However  this  is  not  seen  as  a  major  problem  and  has 
However  this 

occurred  in only two  cases 

3. 

b. Where  a  particularly  difficult  or  serious  case  is  discussed  in  two 

or more  committees, as happened  with  contaminated  olive oil. 

Each  Commission  network  at  present  informs  the  other  network  of 

notifications  received  under  the  Rapid  Exchange  System. 

However,  in 

order  to  solve  the  question  of  duplication  of  meetings  the  detailed 

procedures  have  been  modified  to  allow  the  Commission  to  ensure  that, 

whenever  possible, in each  case the discussions  which  take place  in the 

different  relevant  committees  will  be carried  out  in a joint  session of 

these  committees. 

In  those  cases  which  fall  within  the  scope  of 

procedures  and/or  committees  provided  for  by  Community  legislation 

governing  specific  products  or  product  sectors,  the  latter  shall  be 

involved. 

When  the  Advisory  Committee  is  not  involved  and  no 

provisions  are  made  for  joint  meetings,  the  contact  points  of  the 

Member  States  will  be  informed  of  any  exchange  of  views  with  other 

committees. 

1.  Sugar  confectionery  animals, December  1988 

2.  Self-heating  food  containers, June  1988 

-7-

2) Verification  that  the  issue of a notification  is appropriate 

Such  a  verification  is  important  because  of  the  risk  of  unjustified 

economic  repercussions. 

Obviously  this  risk  occurs  only  where  the 

product  implicated  originates  in  a  country  other  than  the  notifying 

country. 

The  possibility  of  issuing  a  notification  for  a  product  which  is not 

really  a danger  or  no  longer  a danger  could  be  eliminated  by exhaustive 

enquiries and discussions. 

However,  such  a process  conflicts with the 

need  for  the  system  to  operate  rapidly.  The  essential  requirements  of 

the  System  are two-fold  : 

a)  that the criteria ^f  Article  1.  (1) be  respected; 

b)  that  the  notifications  be  issued  to  Member  States  without 

unnecessary  loss of time. 

One  solution  to  the  problem  of  inappropriate  notifications  is  to  check 

the  situation  with  the  Member  State  in  which  the  product  originates. 

Thus when  a notification  is  received  by  the  Commission  in  respect  of a 

product  which  originates  in  a  Member  State  other  than  the  notifying 

Member  State,  the  Commission  may,  if  it  considers  that  there  is prima 

facie  compliance  with  the  provisions  of  Articles  1  and  2,  at  the same 

time as  issuing  the  notification  to  Member  States,  contact  the  country 

presumed  to  be  the  country  of  origin  of  the  product  to  carry  out  the 

necessary  verifications.  Provisions  are made  in the detailed  procedures 

to complement  the  information  received  from  the Member States. 

Theoretically, 

this  procedure  should  minimise  the  risk  of  any 

unjustified  economic  repercussions  in the  country of origin.  Naturally, 

non-Member  States would  not benefit  from this  safeguard. 

-8-

3)  Ease of  Identification of  Products 

i 

< 

ii 

» 

Another  problem  outlined  in  the  previous  report  was  that 

notifications  received  did  not  always  contain  sufficient  information 

for the products  to be easily  identifiable  on the market.  This  has 

not  been  completely  resolved. 

The  original  intention  was  to  use a 

very  exhaustive  list of  information  which  was drawn up  in 1985.  This 

list  was,  however,  never  followed  by  the  Member  States  as  it  was 

found  to  be  impractical. 

Certain  details  cannot  always be  included 

e.g.  when  the  product  originates  from  a  third  country,  it  is not 

always possible  to  indicate the manufacturer  and/or the  importer.  In 

the  interests  of speed  the notification  is then  sent out  without  the 

missing  detail.  If the  information  subsequently  becomes  available it 

is then  sent  to the Member  State  separately. 

A photo of the product 

is faxed  separately  to the Member  State  when  available.  This was not 

specified  in  Article 1(2) of  Decision  89/45/EEC but  was  subsequently 

undertaken  by  the  Commission  on  its  own  initiative  to  help  Member 

States  identify  the product. 

CONCLUSIONS 

The  Commission  considers  that  the  System  continues  to  function 

satisfactorily  and  that  the  System  has  proved  its  usefulness 

as  a 

warning  system. 

By enabling dangerous products  to be  removed  from  the market  the System 

has  contributed  to  the  prevention  of  accidents. 

Also  by  focusing 

attention  on  those  products  or  categories  of  products  which  have  been 

the  subject  of  frequent  measures  in  Member  States  it  establishes  a 

basis  for preventive  action, both at Member  State and  Community  level. 

Regarding  the  relationship  between  the  food  and  non-food  networks,  the 

Commission  believes  that  it  is better  -for the  two networks  to continue 

to function  separately,  to allow the two types of products, which  have 

nothing  in common but  the  Decision,  to be dealt  with by staff who have 

the  necessary  expertise. 

However  any  problems  arising  from  this 

indépendance could be resolved  by having  more precision  in the detailed 

procedures  and more  coordination  between  the^Services. 

-9-

After  lengthy discussion  between  the  services  concerned  the  Commission 

has  come  to  the  conclusion  that  Decision  89/45/EEC  shall  be  extended, 

on the assumption  that  it will  be abrogated  at the  moment  of  the entry 

into force of the General  Product  Safety  Directive. 

No  important  changes  have  been  introduced  but  minor  amendments  are 

necessary  to  make 

the 

Decision 

operational. 

It is intended  to 

align  Article  7  of  the  Decision  on  the  Advisory  Committee  with  the 

general  procedure  for  Advisory  Committees  foreseen  in  Council  Decision 

87/373/EEC  and as  it is now  proposed  to modify  Decision  89/45/EEC,  the 

same  detailed  procedures  as  for  that  decision  will  continue  to  apply, 

until amended  by the Advisory  Committee. 

It will  be in  the context  of the  General  Product  Safety  Directive that 

an  overall  solution  can  be  found  to  the  problems  posed  by  the 

multiplicity  of  information  procedures  now  in operation. 

-1 CD-

Annex  I  : 

proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  modifying  Decision 

89/45/EEC 

Annex  II  : 

list  of  notifications  received  since  last  report 

-  11 -• 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

amending  Decision 89/45/EEC  on a Community  system for the rapid  exchange 

of information  on dangers  arising  from the use of consumer  products 

THE COUNCIL  OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES, 

Having  regard  to the  Treaty  establishing  the  European  Economic  Community,  and 

in particular  Article  235 thereof, 

Having  regard to the proposal  from the  Commission 

, 

(1) 

Having  regard to the opinion of the  European  Parliament 

, 

(2) 

Having  regard  to the opinion of the  Economic  and  Social  Committee 

, 

Whereas Council Decision 89/45/EEC 
Decision 84/133/EEC(5) until 30 June 1990; 

(4) 

. .... 

extended  the system established  by Council 

"Whereas it is necessary  to extend  and  amend  Decision 89/45/EEC; 

Whereas  without  prejudice  to other  Commission  proposals  on consumer  safety  in 

particular,  the Community  system  for  the  rapid  exchange  of  information  should 

now  be  established,  on  the  basis  of  experience  acquired,  for  an  unlimited 

period; 

Whereas, an advisory committee  shall be set up, to which proposals for the 

detailed  procedures  shall be referred, and  which  may be consulted  on problems 

concerning  the administration  of the system; 

( 1)  0J No C 124, 11.5.1988, p. 9. 

C 2)  0J No C 235, 12.9.1988, p. 174. 

( 3)  0J No C 175, 4.7.1988, p. 11. 
(4) 

0J No L 17, 21.1.1989, p. 51. 
< 5)  0J No L 70, 13.3.1984, p. 16. 

-  12 -

Whereas the  Commission  shall  submit  a report  on the operation  of the system at 

least every  two years, 

HAS ADOPTED  THIS DECISION : 

Article 1 

Decision 89/45/EEC  is amended  as follows  : 

1.  Article 4 is replaced  by the following  : 

"Article 4 

Detailed  procedures for  the transmission  of the information  referred to 

in Article  1 shall  be  adopted  by  the  Commission  following  the  procedure 

laid down 

in Article 7." 

2. 

Article  7 is replaced  by the following  : 

"Article 7 

1.  The Commission  shall be assisted  by a committee  of an advisory nature, 

composed  of  two  representatives  per Member  State and  chaired  by the 

representative of the Commission. 

2. 

The  committee  may examine  any problem  relating  to  the  implementation 

and  administration  of the  information  system  which  is  referred  to  it 

by  its chairman,  either  on his own  initiative  or at the  request of a 

representative  of a Member  State. 

3. 

The  representative  of the  commission  shall  submit  to  the committee  a 

draft  of the measures  to be taken or the text  on which  its opinion  is 

requested. 

The  committee  shall  deliver  its  opinion  on  the  draft, 

within  a time  limit which  the chairman  may  lay  down according  to the 

urgency of the matter, if necessary  by taking a vote. 

-  13 -

The opinion  shall be recorded  in the minutes; in addition, each  Member 

State  shall  have  the  right  to  ask  to  have  its  position  recorded  in 

the minutes. 

The  Commission  shall take the utmost  account  of the opinion  delivered 

by  the  committee. 

It  shall  inform  the  committee  of  the  manner  in 

which  its opinion  has been  taken  into  account." 

3.  Article 8 is replaced  by the following  : 

"Article  8 

The Commission  shall submit  a report on the operation of the system at  least 

every two years." 

This Decision  is addressed  to the Member  States. 

Article 2 

Done at  Brussels, 

For the Council 

- 14 -

ANNEX 

Page 1. 

RAPID  ALERT  SYSTEM 

Liste des sujets qui ont  fait  l'objet  d'un  échange  rapide  d'informations 
depuis  janvier  1988 

List of subjects which  have been dealt  with by the rapid exchange of 
information  since January  1988 

Cas alimentaires  reçus  jusqu'au  23 février  1990 
Food cases received  up to 23 February  1990 

3/88 

4/88 

5/88 

6/88 

7/88 

8/88 

9/88 

Cas en  1988 
Cases in 1988 

Fromage 
avec moisi 
Cheddar 
with mould 

Huile d'olive 
contaminée  par  tetrachloroéthylène 
Olive oiI 
contaminated  with tetrachloroéthylène 

Verres 
contenant  plomb et  cadmium 
Drinking  glasses 
containing  lead and  cadmium 

Moules 
contenant  Biotoxines 
Mussels 
containing  Biotoxins 

Anchois en  conserve 
l'huiles  contaminées par  tetrachloroéthylène 
Cans o fanchovies 
oil contaminated  with tetrachloroéthylène 

Pamplemousses 
contaminées 
Grapefruits 
contaminated 

Aliments  lactés granules sans gluten  pour nourissons- 
contaminées à "Salmonella  Bredeney" 
Granulated  gluten-free  milk based  products for 
infants 
contaminated  with "Salmonella  Bredeney" 

Date reçue 
Date  received 

-16-02-1988 

24-03-1988 

24-03-1988 

14-04-1988 

14-04-1988 

26-04-1988 

29-04-1988 

- 15  -

Page 2. 

RAPID  ALERT  SYSTEM 

10/88 

11/88 

12/88 

13/88 

14/88 

15/88 

16/88 

17/88 

18/88 

19/88 

Echantillons  de  lait  pasteurisé 
présence  de  substances  "Inhibitrices" 
Samples  of pasteurized  milk 
presence  of the  substance  "Inhibitrices" 

Emblème  du pâté de  Bruxelles 
contenant  Salmonella  Heidelberg 
Emblem  Brussels pâté 
containing  Salmonella  Heidelberg 

Conserves  du bacon 
contaminés 
Canned  bacon 
contaminated 

Emballage  auto-chauffants de denrées  alimentaires 
dangereuses 
Self-heating  food-containers 
dangerous 

02-05-1988 

20-05-1988 

25-05-1988 

06-06-1988 

Menaces anti-Israéliennes d'une organisation  inconnue 
agrumes  empoisonnes 
Anti  Israelian  threats  from  an unknown  organisation 
poisoned  citrus  fruits 

09-06-1988 

Mollusques  vivants 
contenant  le toxine  PSP 
Live  molluscs 
containing  PSP toxin 

Veaux 
hormones 
Veal 
hormones 

Mollusque  bivalves 
contaminées  par  Salmonella 
Molluscs 
contaminated  with  Salmonella 

Aliments des nourissions 
contenant  Salmonella  Thompson 
Infant  ofrmulae 
containing  Salmonella  Thompson 

Oeufs  cru 
contaminée  par  Salmonella 
Raw eggs 
contaminated  by  Salmonella 

02-08-1988 

01-08-1988 

16-08-1988 

18-08-1988 

30-08-1988 

Rage  3. 

20/88 

-  16  -

RAPID  ALERT  SYSTEM 

les  moules 

Huiles  et 
contaminé  par  PSP 
Oysters  and  mussels 
contaminated  w i th  PSP 

21/88 

Cola  • 
contenant  T r i c h l o r o é t h y l è ne 
Cola 
containing  Trichloroéthylène 

22/88 

23/88 

24/88 

25/88 

26/88 

27/88 

2 8/88 

Mayonaise 
contaminée  par  des  cristaux  de  sulfate 
Mayonaise 
contaminated  with  cristalsulfate 

Vacherin  mont  d'or 
contaminé  par  Salmonella 
Vacherin  mont  d'or 
contaminated  by  Salmonella 

Asperges 
botulisme 
Asparagus 
botulisme 

Figues  sèches 
contaminée  par  Aflatoxine 
Dried  figs 
contaminated  by  Aflatoxine 

Salami 
contaminé  par  Salmonella 
Salami 
contaminated  by  Salmonella 

Estomacs de  porc  congelés 
contaminé  par  Salmonella 
Frozen pork  stomachs 
contaminated  by  Salmonella 

Anguille  congelés 
Importation 
Frozen  eels 
Importation 

2-9/88 

Confiserie  au sucre  sous forme d'animal 
réalisées  sur fil 
Sugarconfectionary  in animal  shape 
wi re-mounted 

30488 

Queues de crevettes 
plomb 
Tails of prawns 
lead 

01-09-1988 

07-09-1988 

20-09-1988 

04-11-1988 

11-11-1988 

18-11-1988 

21-11-1988 

09-12-1988 

09-12-1988 

10-12-1988 

10-12-88 

-  17  -

RAPID  ALERT  SYSTEM 

pa ge  4. 

31/88 

Poisson 
avec  Zoonose 
Fish 
with  Zoonosis 

32/88 

Sanglier  trouves  morts 
la pest  porcine  classique 
Wild boar  found  dead 
the  classical  swine  fever 

Cas en  1989 

Cases  in 1989 

Viande de porc 
Salmonella 
Fresh pork meat 
Salmonella 

Lavignons 
PSP 
Scrobicularia  plana 
PSP 

Poisson 
Zoonose 
Fish 
Zoonosis 

Conserves  de  crevettes  de  de  crabe 
Présence  d'EDTA  (ethylene  diamine  tetra-acetate  de 
calcium  disodique) 
Canned  prawns  and  canned  crab 
presence  of  CDEDTA  (calcium  disodium  ethylene  diamine 
tetra  acetate) 

Couteaux  et  Poulpes, conserves  petits 
présence  de  cadmium 
razor-clams  and  octopus  canned 
presence  of  cadmium 

Fromages  du type  "Camembert" 
bactérie  Listeria  Monocytogene 
Cheeses  of  the  type  "Camembert" 
bacteria  Listeria  Monocytogene 

1/89 

2/89 

3/89 

4/89 

5/89 

6/89 

2 9_1 2_1 9 88 

29-12-1988 

18-01-89 

31-01-1989 

03-02-1989 

06-02-1989 

07-02-1989 

17-02-1989 

- 18 

Page  5. 

RAPID  ALERT  SYSTEM 

7/89 

8/89 

9/89 

10/89 

11/89 

12/89 

13/89 

Mollusque  bivalves  sur  les Littarol  meridional 
toxines  (PSP) 
Bivalves  molluscs  of the  south  Coast 
toxins  (PSP) 

Mollusque  bivalves 
toxines  (PSP) 
Bivalves  molluscs 
toxins  (PSP) 

Fruits poisonés 
cyanide 
Poisoned  fruit 
cyanide 

Vins 
contenant  traces de verre 
Wines 
containing  glass 

Poisson 
histamina 
Fish 
contaminated  with  hystamina 

Coquillages 
dinophysis 
Shellfish 
dinophysis 

Yaghourt  aromatisée  par  noisette 
Botulism 
Yoghourt  flavoured  with  hazelnut 
Botulism 

14/89 

Champignons 
staphylocoques 
Mushrooms 
staphylococcal 

15/89 

16/89 

Mollusques  vivants 
toxinePSP 
Live  mussels 
PSP toxin 

Racines  de bardane 
Belladone 
Roots of  burdoch 
Deadly  nightshade 

28-02-1989 

14-03-1939 

14-03-1989 

31-03-1989 

17-04-1989 

25-05-1989 

13-06-1989 

13-06-1989 

12-06-1989 

29-06-1989 

Page 6. 

RAPID  ALERT  SYSTEM 

- 19 -

17/89 

P â té 
Listeria  monocytogenes 
Pâté 
Listeria  monocytogenes 

06-07-1989 

18/89  (/,ix destiné  à  la production du glaces 

11-07-1989 

Salmonella  enteritidis 
Base material  used  for the manufacture  of  ice cream 
Salmonella  enteritidis 

19/89 

20/89 

21/89 

22/89 

23/89 

2 4 / 89 

25/89 

26/89 

2 7 / 89 

Mollusque  bivalves 
Algues  toxiques du type "dinophysis" 
Bivalves  molluscs 
Toxic  algue of the type "dinophysis" 

Mayonaise 
Salmonella 
Mayonaise 
Salmonella 

Sardines dans  l'huile vegetable 
dépravé 
Sardines  in vegetable oil 
spoiled 

Lait  caille  de pois  chinois mouillés 
Bacillus  cereus 
Wet  soybean  curd with  red  rice and  brine 
Bacillus  cereus 

Pistaches  fraiches 
Af latoxines 
Pistachio  nuts 
Af latoxines 

Salami 
contaminé  par  Salmonella 
Salami 
contaminated  by  Salmonella 

Lapin  surgelée 
residue de  pesticides 
Rabbits  frozen 
residue of  pesticides 

Coquillages 
Salmonella 
Shell-fish 
Salmonella 

Fromage 
Listeria  monocytogene 
Cheese 
Listeria  monocytogene 

29-07-1989 

22-08-1989 

18-09-1989 

18-09-1989 

18-09-1989 

28-11-1989 

28-11-1989 

15-12-1989 

15-12-1989 

-  20 -

Page 7. 

RAPID  ALERT  SYSTEM 

28/89 

Fromage 
Salmonella  DUBLIN 
Cheese 
Salmonella  DUBLIN 

1/90 

2/90 

3/90 

Cas en  1990 
Cases  in 1990 

Poivre 
Ricinus  communis 
Allspice 
Ricinus  communis 

eau mineral 
benzene 
mineral  water 
benzene 

Sardines 
histamines 
Sardines 
histamines 

15-12-1989 

18-01-1990 

16-02-1990 

23-02-1990 

- 21 -

Page 1. 

RAPID ALERT  SYSTEM 

Cas non-alimentaires reçus jusqu'au 3 janvier  1990 
Non-food  cases received  up to 3 January  1990 

Cas en 1988 
Cases in 1988 

1/88 

2/88 

3/88 

4/88 

5/88 

6/88 

7/88 

8/88 

9/88 

Jeu de patience  (Labyrinthe) 
empoisonnement  au mercure 
Toy maze 
Mercury  poisoning 

Machine à café électrique 
choc électrique 
electric  coffee  maker 
electric  shock 

Jouets gonflants  en plastique 
occlusion  intestinale  en cas  d'ingestion 
expanding  toys made from  hard plastic 
intestinal  obstruction 

Crayons de  cire  (jouets) 
empoisonnement au plomb 
wax  crayons 
lead poisoning 

Bougeoirs 
danger potential  d'incendie 
candlesticks 
fi re 

Lit-cage d'enfant 
danger d'étouffement ou de coupure 
child's cot 
strangulation  or  cuts 

Jouet  'Crazy Hand' 
étouffement 
Crazy Hand 
choking 

'Hotpot*  récipient auto-chauffant pour aliments 
contamination des  aliments 
self-heating  food  container 
food  contamination 

Robot ménagère 
sectionnement  des phalanges 
electric  food  mixer 
severing of  fingers 

10/88 

anneau dentaire  (type de hochet) 
étouffement 
teething  ring 
choking or  suffocation 

Date reçue 
Date received 

12-01-1988 

28-01-1988 

11-02-1988 

29-03-1988 

30-03-1988 

26-04-1988 

13-05-1988 

02-06-1988 

06-07-1988 

08-08-1988 

- 22 

Page 2. 

RAPID ALERT  SYSTEM 

11/88 

12/83 

13/8$ 

14/88 

15/88 

16/88 

araignée  jouet 
risque  d'avalement 
toy spider 
danger of  swallowing 

pneus d'automobile  'Danubiana' 
désintégration  avec  la vitesse 
'Danubiana'  car tyres 
disintegration  with speed 

préservatifs 
l'éclatement  et  la porosité 
prophylactics  (condoms) 
puncturing  and  porosity 

07-09-1988 

06-10-1988 

21-11-1988 

confiserie  en  forme d'animaux 
produit  tenu  ensemble par des morceaux  de fils de fer 
confectionery  animals 
held together  by pieces of wire 

19-12-1988 

lampe de table  avec  'interrupteur' dimmer 
electrocution 
table  lamp with  dimmer  switch 
electrocution 

boule décorative  pour arbre de Noel 
isolation  inadéquate, inflammable, peut  facilement 
être ouvert, donnant  accès aux éléments  sous tension 
Christmas  tree ball 
poor  insulation, flammable, can be easily opened  thus 
exposing  live parts 

17/88 

véhicule  tout-terrain  à trois  roues 
capotage 
3-wheel all-terrain  motorised  vehicles 
overturning 

1/89 

2/89 

Cas en 1989 
Cases in 1989 

lampe de table  avec poupée 
chcc électrique 
table  lamp with  doll 
electric  shock 

'autel' de  la Sainte Vierge, gondole, tableau 
choc  électrique 
Virgin Mary  'Altar', gondola, picture 
electric  shock 

28-11-1988 

13-12-1988 

13-12-1988 

13- 01-1989 

28-02-1989 

- 23 -

Page 3. 

RAPID ALERT  SYSTEM 

3/89 

4/89 

5/89 

6/89 

7/89 

8/89 

9/89 

10/89 

11/89 

12/89 

Grille-pain 
choc électrique 
toaster 
electric  shock 

lampe-applique 
choc électrique 
wall-light 
electric  shock 

porte-clé  gadget 
ingestion ou  inhalation de produits  chimiques, 
brûlure de peau, feu 
novelty  key  ring 
ingestion  or  inhalation of toxic  chemicals, burns, 
f i re 

lampe de table  halogène 
choc électrique 
halogen table  lamp 
electric  shock 

15-02-1989 

06-03-1989 

08-03-1989 

28-06-1989 

barre de gymnastique 
ne  résiste pas au poids d'une personne de  75 kg ou plus 
exercise bar 
does not  support  weight of person over  75 kg 

30-06-1989 

luminaire pour  ventilateur  de plafond 
choc électrique 
light  fitting  for ceiling  fan 
electric  shock 

masque de plongée 
asphyxie  - taux  élevé de  C0-
diving mask 
asphyxia  - high  level of  C0? 

briquets  ayant  l'apparence  de jouets 
peuvent  provoquer brûlure ou incendie 
lighters designed  to  look  like toys 
could  cause burns or fires 

luminaire  'parachute' suspendu 
choc électrique 
Parachute  lamp 
electric  shock 

pneus du type  remodelés  'Goldline' 
n'ont  pas passé  les tests effectués  à des vitesses 
inférieures  à  leurs seuils  'S'  (113mph/180ph) 
Goldline  tyres 
when tested  failed at speeds below  'S' rating 
(113mph/180ph) 

12-07-1989 

10-08-1989 

22-08-1989 

02-10-1989 

02-11-1989 

- 24 -

Page  4. 

RAPID  ALERT  SYSTEM 

13/89 

14/89 

15/89 

16/89 

17/89 

oeufs en chocolat  avec un  jouet  à l'intérieur - 
'Kinder  Surprize' 
étouffement 
chocolate  egg  containing  toy -  'Kinder  Surprize' 
choking 

09-11-1989 

Latex  liquide, nouveauté  pour  la veille de  la toussaint  14-11-1989 
inhalation  - nausée, vertige, problèmes  respiratoires, 
peut  être dangereux  pour  les yeux  et  la peau 
liquid  latex 
inhalation  - nausea, dizziness, respiratory  problems, 
could  be dangerous  to the eyes and  skin 

appareil  épilatoire électrique 
choc  électrique 
electric  depilatory  apparatus 
electric  shock 

cafetière  électrique 
choc électrique 
electric  coffee-maker 
electric  shock 

poêle  mobile  (de chauffage) à pétrole  lampant 
(kérosène)  sans dispositif  de  sécurité 
intoxication  par  le monoxyde de  carbone 
portable paraffin  heater without  safety  device 
carbon monoxide  poisoning 

21-11-1989 

23-11-1989 

08-12-1989 

03-01-1990 

Cas en 1990 
Cases  in 1990 

1/90 

cruches à eau en céramique 
empoisonnement  au plomb 
ceramic  water  jugs 
lead  poisoning 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM (90) 172 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

05  15 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-198-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-60052-7 

Office  for Official  Publications of the European Communities 

L-2985 Luxembourg