The aim of this EU Regulation is to enhance the protection of workers and ensure the application of best practices across the EU in terms of health and safety. It targets respiratory and dermal sensitisation that can potentially – in case of improper use – be caused by diisocyanates and requires new minimum training prior to the use of diisocyanates and mixtures containing diisocyanates.
Polyurethane (PU) products are based on diisocyanates chemistry, therefore, this restriction is especially relevant for industrial and professional users of those products.
The restriction provides a transition period of three years from its entry into force for compliance with the requirements.
By 24 August, professional and industrial users will need to be trained and certified in how to handle products containing diisocyanates safely. This will apply to the use of PU with a total monomeric diisocyanate concentration above 0.1% by weight.
The type of training will depend on the risk level of the application. Three risk levels (general, intermediate and advanced) have been defined, mainly based on toxicity hazards of products supplied and risk of exposure during use. Training must be renewed at least every five years.
FEICA (Association of the European Adhesive & Sealant Industry), in coordination with ISOPA (Association of diisocyanates & polyols producers) and ALIPA (European Aliphatic Isocyanates Producer Association), has prepared a package of training materials for use by its members and by adhesive or sealant users.
Bostik has participated in this work to ensure that all end-users of PU containing adhesives and sealants across Europe continue to handle diisocyanates safely.
PU Training Platform (e-learning) can be accessed via www.safeusediisocyanates.eu and is accessible across the EU. At first, the training modules were available in English, followed by German. All training material will also be made available in every EU language progressively.
The FEICA European executive board has decided to financially support the training of professional and industrial users of PU adhesives and sealants, resorting under the new REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation on the safe use of diisocyanates.
By using the FEICA voucher code, the web-based training for adhesives and sealants applications will be free of charge:
FEICA_21_C7
FEICA_21_G (Reseller/Distributor)
