Document xj6gkdq1Z4eoN70GOBG3j6J4Q

of The Society of The Plastics Industry, Inc. CONTACT: Nora Jacobs Edward Howard & Co. (216) 781-2400 MEDIA ADVISORY June 23, 1993 Note to editors: We wanted to make sure you were aware of the attached press release, which was recently issued by the Dutch Plastics Federation. It describes a recent decision by the Board of Appeals of the Dutch Foundation for Publicity Codes, upholding a decision that the Dutch Minister for Environment Control has unfairly characterized vinyl plastics as environmentally undesirable. The Board reached its decision after a thorough examination of the environmental aspects of vinyl. According to the Dutch Plastics Federation: "The Board of Appeals came to the conclusion that VROM (the Ministry) had not been able to present evidence that incentives to avoid the use of PVC are justified... . The Board of Appeals was convinced by the factual and objective information, derived from diverse studies concerning the environmental aspects of PVC, including emissions during production, further processing and waste disposal. Comparative studies on the environmental effects of products (ecobalances) also demonstrate that PVC does not yield to other plastics on environmental grounds and often scores better than traditional materials." CTL00667 0 Wayne Interchange Plaza II 155 Route 46 West Wayne, NJ 07470 (201) 890-9299 Fax # (201) 890-7029 Nederlandse Federatie voor Kunststoffi Persbericht June 25*.h. 1993 The Foundation for Dutch Publicity Codes confirms that negative . publications on PYC are misleading FYC PLASTICS WIN ANOTHER ROUND The Board of Appeals of the Dutch Foundation for Publicity Codes has confirmed the previous judgement of the Publicity Code Commision (verdict of June 4th, '93) that the Dutch Ministry for Environmental Control (VROM) was unable to demonstrate that plastic PVC should be avoided for environmental reasons. For- this reason the Board considers any publications in this respect misleading and as such undesirable. > The Foundation for Code of Publicity came to this verdict as a result of a complaint of the Dutch Plastics Federation (NFK) concerning a brochure published by the Dutch Environmental Ministry. In this brochure negative statements concerning PYC products in office environments were published. The Board of Appeals came to the conclusion that VROM had not been able to present evidence that incentives to avoid the use of PYC am justified. During the session of the Board all environmental aspects of PVC were discussed in detail. The arguments of VROM for a policy of promoting avoidance of PVC. were all refuted by the substantial evidence of the NFK. The Board of Appeals was convinced by the factual and objective information, -derived from diverse studies- concerning the environmental aspects of PVC, including emissions during production, further processing and waste disposal. Comparative studies on the environmental effects of products (eoobalonces) also demonstrate that PYC docs not yield to other plastics on environmental grounds and often scores better than traditional materials. -w- CTL006671 End of discussion on PVC ? Previously the Dutch Environmental Ministry had already informed the plastics industry to have no formal objections against recyclable PVC products. The judgement of the Foundation for Publicity Codes iilustmtes that the Ministry has also no substantial arguments to discrimitate non-recyclabie PVC products. The Board of Appeals only made a reservation for packaging. This because of the Packaging Convcnant from 1991, with which the industry made voluntary agreements to reduce the use Cf PYC in packaging applications. This agreement was based on the assumed relation between PVC and the formation of dioxinw during combustion of municipal waste. Since following research has demonstrated that PVC has no effect on dioxins with municipal waste combustion and ecobaiar.ee studies show ?vc to be a very good product also for packaging, the NFK considers the voluntary agreement to reduce PVC in packaging to be out of bate.The policy of the plastics industry is aimed at revising the Packaging Ccnvenam in this respect Emotions Mr. W. Beerman, chairman of the Dutch Steering Committee for PVC & Environment, is very satisfied with the judgement of the Foundation for Publicity Codes. " This verdict means the end cf a long dispute on the use of PVC in a large number of applications as piping systems, window frames, office appliances, home decorations and many others. With this decision, the Board of Appeals has given a sound judgement concerning PVC a; the highest level. Ail environmental aspects ot'the PVC substance chain are covered by this. We hope this will contribute to a finishing of the environmental discussion on PVC* which has now been proven to have mere emotional grounds." PVC live cycle management A large number of companies in the Netherlands are active with the production of PVC raw materials and the conversion to end products. Thogether these companies published in 1991 a first report on the life cycle management of PVC. This report not only illustrates the environmental aspects in the cycle, but also presents all initiatives for further improvement of the environmental impact and recycling of PVC products from waste. The decision of the Board cf Appeals means an incentive for the continuation of activities with PVC life cycle management. Proper publicity, within the frame of formal product policy, is an important requirement for this. CTL006672