SECTOR WIDE BUSINESS SUPPORT
Members were kept updated with the proposals to change the
classification of various substances under the CLP and REACH
Regulations and the revision to GHS. The work of the CEPE
REACH Panel and Labelling and Safety Data Sheet Committee
was monitored, particularly the work to produce mixture
exposure scenarios – the Safe Use of Mixtures Information work.
Input was also made to the IPPIC work with the UN GHS and
transport committees, including on flammable liquids criteria, the
aspiration hazard and the combustibility exemption.
The Panel decided to form a new group to address the global
management of chemicals, including GHS, labelling and SDS
information. This group has started to produce several ‘How to
import coatings and ink products into…’ guides.
WM3 and changes to EU legislation. The existing BCF guidance
on waste coatings and packaging has been updated and re-
issued accordingly. Other guidance produced was the Coatings
Manufacturing Plant: Best Practice Guide on Environmental
Protection.
Liaison with Government continued through the Environment
Agency’s Chemical Industry Liaison Committee. BCF also assisted
the EA in its preparation for the revision to the solvent use
Best Available Techniques Reference document and on Medium
Combustion Plant emissions. The debate on microplastics
continued with data being provided to the EU Commission
towards its plans to control the emissions of microplastics to the
oceans.
Transport and Packaging
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods Panel continued to monitor
and input to new proposals made to the UN, ADR and IMDG
Code committees. In conjunction with CEPE and IPPIC, the
BCF obtained a significant change to the rules, to address
the problem of long, unnecessary
Technical Names for environmentally
hazardous paints and inks (UN3077/
UN3082) by allowing certain
existing Proper Shipping Names such
as Paint or Printing Ink to be used as
the Technical Name. A clarification on flashpoint information on
transport documents for sea was also secured. BCF continued
its liaison with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and
successfully lobbied the DfT over continuation of certain
transport exemptions post-Brexit.
Coatings Care
Environment
The BCF met with the Minister and Defra officials on various
occasions to discuss proposals for VOC emissions and to ensure
that Defra had the correct emissions data. BCF submitted
two consultations towards the Clean Air Strategy and Defra’s
proposals on Environmental Principles and Governance. BCF
were successful in challenging a number of misapprehensions
regarding the level of particulate matter emissions, leading to
a reduction by a factor of 10 in the government’s database,
relieving pressure on the industry regarding the 2030 targets.
The Environment Panel continued its stewardship of all aspects
of air emissions, waste and water. The BCF-led industry cross-
group revised its assessment tool for the classification of
packaging waste, updating to align with the revised EA guidance
66
Coatings Care is the international care and sustainability
programme for the coatings industry and the brand for all
health, safety and environmental activities. The annual survey
of Indicators of Performance is the coatings and ink industry’s
flagship benchmarking programme, with over 40 manufacturing
sites in the UK taking part each year. Results now go back some
18 years, giving a valuable resource for members and the BCF.
The Coatings Care reports for 2017 operations have also been
issued to all MDs. Benchmarking reports have been sent to
contributors.
The key findings were:
• The number of injuries decreased significantly
• Energy consumption per tonne of production decreased by
3.7%
• Waste produced per tonne of production increased;
however, the amount sent to landfill decreased with a
dramatic increase in the number of companies sending zero
to landfill
BCF ANNUAL HANDBOOK 2019/20