BCF Annual Handbook 2019/2020 handbook 2019 2 | Page 44

COMMITTEES Wallcoverings Wallcoverings Sector Council Chaired by Graham Francis, Anstey Wallpaper This Committee met twice in 2018, with a rising list of issues for the sector. UK wallcoverings sales suffered in 2018, and it is hoped 2019 will be a much better year. Concerns over Brexit and the potential TiO 2 classification were, and continue to be major issues for the Council, as with all other BCF sectors. There is a substance unique to wallcoverings, that we successfully defended back in 2014/15. However, Azodicarbonamide (ADCA) is back in the spotlight, with the risk of Authorisation proposed by the European Commission, which was announced in late 2018. Significant effort will be put into opposing this, along with important supply chain industries, such as the automotive sector. The BCF also continues to manage the Climate Change Levy Agreement on behalf of the industry. Wallcoverings Technical Committee Chaired by Dave Sangwine, Anstey Wallpaper This Committee continued with its well-attended three meetings a year, these addressed the following issues facing the Sector: • Possible recovery routes for waste, both PVC and backing, produced by companies • REACH and in particular the concerns over the re-classification of TiO 2 as a carcinogen • In conjunction with the ADCA Task Force fighting the possible classification of ADCA as an SVHC under REACH following the renewed interest by ECHA in its classification • Revision of standards through close liaison with CEN/TC99, receiving reports from meetings and providing feed-back and comments • Sustainability issues and working through the Global Wallcoverings Association on possible schemes beyond the EPDs for wallcoverings • Receiving reports of legislation in the USA in particular Prop 65 in California • Issues associated with Brexit especially regarding CE marking for wallcoverings in UK and Europe • Receiving reports of the BCF Safety Advisory and Environment Panels on issues relevant to wallcoverings 44 BCF ANNUAL HANDBOOK 2019/20