TITANIUM DIOXIDE
Titanium dioxide update
A lot has happened with titanium dioxide ( TiO 2
) since the summer . The BCF continue in their defence of TiO 2 against ECHA ’ s Risk Assessment Committee ’ s opinion of a category 2 classification .
The BCF coordinated a letter about the significant impact of the proposed TiO 2 classification to Greg Clark , Secretary of State in BEIS , with signatures from 80 BCF member CEOs , and another 60 from supply chain companies and trade associations . This was sent in September , and the BCF would like to thank their members for their support on this and signing the letter . Industry support is key to effective political lobbying , and the BCF wouldn ’ t have been able to capture government ’ s attention without member support .
As a result of the letter , the BCF met with government officials ahead of the important Competent Authority meeting on REACH and Classification and Labelling ( CARACAL ). The BCF led the meeting , where government was represented by business department officials as well as Robin Foster and Francis McGuigan from HSE ( who attend CARACAL ). The BCF had also invited representatives from the Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association and the British Plastics Federation , and with the meeting lasting two and a half hours they felt they had been able to get the message across .
It was clear from the meeting that UK officials understand the significant impacts of a classification on paints , inks and plastics . Officials were given samples of alternatives , which were very persuasive . It was made clear that substitution isn ’ t going to be possible , so manufacturers will keep using TiO 2 and face the impact on sales if cancer warning labels are required on paints and inks . An exemption for paints / inks is a possibility , but manufacturers will have to demonstrate no risk from dust ( from sanding or spraying ) once TiO 2 is bound in a matrix .
Overall , the CARACAL meeting was very positive . Thanks to extensive efforts from national paint / ink associations in each country , a good number of member states spoke up and raised questions about the classification . Some were raising questions about the scope of Classification , Labelling and Packaging ( CLP ) and some were talking about classification and / or labelling exemptions for paints / inks ; all objectives are still in play . This will be discussed again at the next CARACAL meeting in March , so the BCF will work across Europe to keep the pressure up .
In January , the BCF arranged a further meeting with the HSE and BEIS teams , together with key representatives for CEPE ’ s TiO 2 sounding board . The meeting was very encouraging , and will help guide the future strategy in other member states .
The UK authorities spoke up in CARACAL , and will continue to raise concerns . How much the others listen , given Brexit , remains to be seen . Together with CEPE and others in the supply chain , the BCF are working on influencing all member states to consider the appropriateness of CLP in this case ( given this is a generic dust issue and not a specific effect caused by TiO 2
) and if not successful , to agree that mixtures like paints , coatings and inks ( liquid and powder forms ) should be exempt from any classification .
Companies supporting the BCF ’ s CEO letter
Wallcoverings
Printing inks
4 Covered Spring 2018