Basel City lab finds numerous failings in chemical sector inspection
The Cantonal Laboratory of Basel City has discovered many failings after an inspection of chemical products and chemical sector companies. The laboratory announced on Monday that 95 out of 221 products inspected were to be banned from being sold.
According to the announcement, the products inspected included substances and preparations such as essential oils and cleaning agents, biocidal products such as disinfectants or mosquito repellents, pesticides, and items such as disposable e-cigarettes. The businesses inspected were companies that work with, import, or sell hazardous chemicals.
During the inspections, the laboratory found what it called, “a large number of deficiencies”. Results of 175 out of 221 inspected products and 39 out of 48 inspected companies were unacceptable. Ninety-five products even met the criteria for a sales ban.
Too much heavy metal in e-cigarettes
In the case of the products inspected, complaints have mainly been made about prohibited ingredients, missing authorisations, incorrect classification, labelling deficiencies, issues with packaging, deficiencies in the safety data sheet, failure to comply with the reporting requirements, non-compliant advertising, and violation of advertising regulations.
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Among other things, the laboratory found that the legal limit for heavy metals in disposable e-cigarettes had been exceeded.
The companies which were inspected were found to have failed to comply with self-regulation, the reporting and licensing requirements, the duty of care, non-compliance with dispensing regulations, personal regulations, advertising regulations and regulations on handling and storage. These included the illegal distribution of nitrous oxide for inhalation in bars.
Adapted from German by DeepL/dkk/amva
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