On 27 July 1999, the European Commission announced that all member states must introduce an asbestos ban by January 2005 at the latest. On 24 August 1999, the UK government announced a national ban would take effect on 24 November 1999. It was a major landmark in a 24 year push by Hazards magazine and campaigners. The magazine noted: “The challenge now is to stop the deadly asbestos trade with the developing world.” The industry was continuing a well-resourced global marketing campaign, underwritten in part by Canadian government money.

Last gasp for asbestos: A dying industry, Hazards, number 67, July-September 1999 [not online]. Hazards asbestos webpages.