INDUSTRIAL PAINTS

HEALTH & SAFETY / REACH
Health & Safety
2 examples:
Butanon - Oxime

This additive is an anti-skin base molecule commonly used in glycerophtalic paint (alkyds). It allows for a slowing of the drying time of the paint surface in the pot, and consequently delays the appearance of skin. For some time it has become a target for occupational health advisors who seek its replacement because this product is classed CMR2. Today, we have a replacement solution.

Naphtha solvent

Naphtha solvents (petroleum fractions of aromatic or aliphatic hydrocarbons) often elicit the question:
- "Is this product CMR?
Implying: Does it contain more than 0.1% of Benzene?"

It should be stated that all naphtha solvents we use contain less than 0.1% of Benzene, consequently they are not CMR.

The European regulation REACH
The regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances) encompasses the control of fabrication, importation, marketing and usage of chemical substances.

REACH targets the substances themselves, as well as those present in the preparations or raw goods, produced or imported at a rate of over one tonne per year.

REACH constitutes a major turning point in the regulation of industrial chemical products, since it will have an important effect on the work modes of industrial producers, importers and users of chemical substances.

Major benefits are expected in terms of preserving human health and the environment.

In the 11 years that will follow the implementation of REACH, approximately 30,000 substances (of the 100,000 present in the European market) which represents the vast majority of tonnage produced and marketed, will be registered with the European Chemicals Agency.

The manufacturers or importers of chemical substances must prove that the risks linked to the materials they produce or import are validly controled.

Prospa conforms to REACH and has realised the following actions:

  • collect of informations concerning the usage of our raw materials and final application at our clients locations, allowing our suppliers to integrate the information during registration of substances.
  • study of the "candidate" list which incorporates particularly dangerous monitored substances, and the systematic replacement in our compositions of the effected products. To date, Prospa doesn't use any of these substances, also known as "SHVC".
  • constant technology watch with the FIPEC for immediate acknowledgement and recognition of developments related to the legislation.

The objectives of the European regulation REACH:

into operation in 2007
  • to fill the knowledge gap with respect to the health and environmental risks which may result from the production and use of chemical substances,
  • insure risk management associated with the usage of chemical substances,
  • restrict or ban the use of certain chemical substances.

REACH has introduced three major innovations:

in comparison to the regulation before 2007
  • a new procedure: registration
  • a new instrument of risk management: authorisation
  • the creation of the European Chemicals Agency, responsible for the technical and administrative aspects of the plan.
REACH is based upon 4 mechanisms
REGISTRATION

The manufacturer or importer is required to obtain and utilise pertinent information on the substances produced to insure their safe management. (1).

No substance submitted for registration must be produced or imported if it has not been registered.

EVALUATION

Evaluation of cases and substances submitted for registration that allow for the avoidance of needless tests and to insure industry professionals respect their obligations.

AUTHORISATION

Certain substances (2) are submitted for authorisation to limit risk to human health and to the environment.

No substance submitted to the authorisation process can be used if it has not been authorised for this use. (3)

RESTRICTION

This system allows for risk management not covered elsewhere. It can enable the banning, pure and simple, of a substance within the European market, regardless of its usage.

(1) substance/usage pair analysis

(2) carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances, bioaccumables and residual...

(3) This plan aims for the submission to authorisation of among the most worrying substances to health and the environment, in order to insure a strict control.

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