Roumania and France have a state monopoly of matches; in these states no white phosphorus matches have been produced since 1900 and 1898 respectively. France, by the Law of December 17, 1908, signified concurrence with the International Convention in regard to the prohibition of the use of white phosphorus. In Sweden and Norway the prohibition of white phosphorus is in force only for the home trade. A Swedish Decree, dated December 9, 1896, permitted factories carrying on the manufacture for export to use white phosphorus, and almost precisely similar provisions are contained in the Norwegian Decree. The Swedish Decree, dated March 30, 1900, permits white phosphorus matches to be exported, but not to be sold in the country. In Austria difficulties in regard to prohibition of white phosphorus arose owing to trade conditions (especially in the East), and the attitude of the states competing in the lucifer match trade, particularly Italy and Japan. Austria, therefore, made agreement with international prohibition of white phosphorus, dependent on the attitude of Japan; since Japan did not concur, the decision of Austria fell through. When, however, Italy in the year 1906 joined the Convention, the difficulties were also overcome in Austria, and by a law similar to that of Germany, dated July 13, 1909, prohibition of the manufacture and sale of white phosphorus matches dates from the year 1912.[H] Belgium has refrained from prohibition of white phosphorus, but on the other hand has passed a series of enactments relating to the match manufacture, of which the most essential are here cited, since they characterise the measures which come into consideration for factories in which white phosphorus is still employed. _Royal Decree, dated March 25, 1890, modified by the Royal Decree, dated February 12, 1895, and November 17, 1902, concerning employment in lucifer match factories._ 1. In match factories where white phosphorus is used, mixing the paste and drying the dipped matches shall be carried on in a place specially set apart for the purpose. 2. Mixing the paste shall be carried on in an entirely closed vessel or in one connected with an efficient exhaust draught locally applied. The proportion of white phosphorus in the paste shall not exceed in weight 8 per cent. of the total material, not including water. 3. Hoods and ducts communicating with an exhaust draught shall be installed at the level of the plates for dipping white phosphorus matches, and over the vessels containing the paste. 4. Drying rooms for white phosphorus matches, if entered by the workers, shall be mechanically ventilated. 5. Rooms in which phosphorus fumes can arise shall be lofty and well ventilated, preferably by an exhaust at the level of the work benches, communicating with the main chimney stack. The workrooms shall be kept clean. No food or drink shall be taken in them.