The majority of downstream chemical companies, including paint businesses, are failing to comply with the European Union’s (EU) REACH chemical control and CLP (classification, labelling and packaging) systems.
That is the conclusion of a study by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) into 1181 companies, 74% of which were chemical manufacturers, including businesses involved in “the preparation of paints and varnishes…”.
ECHA was disappointed in the results, which it said, “show that a significant number of downstream users still appear to be insufficiently aware of their obligations, as two thirds of the inspected enterprises were failing to comply with REACH/ CLP provisions.”
It noted that some companies “violated…core principles of REACH/CLP” because they “both unlawfully manufactured/imported substances or missed notifying substances to the [EU] C&L [classification and labelling] inventory”. It concluded: “Companies have to significantly increase their efforts to respect the applicable chemicals legislation.”
Drilling into the detail, the agency said smaller companies often struggled with information management: “Providing good quality information on the properties of chemicals downstream seem to be typical for smaller companies.” By contrast, larger companies often failed to register or notify substances with the authorities.
“Awareness and knowledge on REACH among smaller downstream user companies is sometimes very low or even non-existent. This is a matter of concern and should be monitored,” said ECHA, which said industry organisations needed to “focus on further knowledge-building within companies concerning REACH and CLP.”
One potential solution was improving the availability and quality of safety data sheets compiled by primary chemical producers, especially in different languages.
“Companies are encouraged to gain deeper knowledge through periodic consultation of the ECHA website and clarify their doubts regarding REACH and CLP obligations with helpdesks, ECHA or the competent authorities,” said the report.
Other paint and coatings news:
- The potential expense of substituting paint ingredients phthalates, that have been linked to health concerns, has been highlighted in an ECHA report. It looked at the costs of replacing four phthalates (DEHP2, DBP3, BBP4 and DIBP5) when using least cost alternatives (principally alternative phthalates), example costs quoted for replacing DEHP and BBP were around E200/t and for DBP/DIBP, around E300/t. It also assessed replacing MDA, a hardener in resins and adhesives. See http://echa.europa. eu/ documents/ 10162/ 13580/abatement+costs_report_2013_en.pdf.
- ECHA’s committee for risk assessment (RAC) has agreed to remove an EU-wide classification of the polymerisation monomer 1,2-Epoxybutane as being harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects. The substance remains classified as posing physical and human health hazards.
