EC Proposes Partial Ban on Paint Strippers with Dichloromethane

February 15, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

The European Commission (EC) proposed restricting the sale and use of paint strippers containing dichloromethane. Such paint removers are used in industry and are also sold in "do-it-yourself" stores, easily available to consumers.

The EC's proposal follows concerns of some experts about dichloromethane vapours, which are toxic to the central nervous system.

Between 1989 and 2007, several accidents and even fatalities in the European Union (EU) were caused by inadequate ventilation and inappropriate personal protective equipment while using paint strippers containing dichloromethane.

Therefore, the EC proposed banning the sale of such paint strippers to the general public and professional users, in general.

However, taking account of other expert opinion that this substance may be safely used by professionals if adequate precautions are taken, member states may permit purchase and use by licensed professionals who have received appropriate training.

For industrial activities, use will be permitted under strictly controlled conditions.

Günter Verheugen, EC vice president responsible for enterprise and industry policy, said, "Our proposal will achieve a high level of protection of human health and will provide an important measure of added safety for consumers and workers."

Several EU member states have already put in place national measures to control the risks of dichloromethane in paint strippers, and Germany has recently notified restriction measures to the EC.

The EC proposal on dichloromethane use aims to:

• Ban use by consumers, who are least aware of its dangers and who have least access to protective equipment.
• Ban, in general, the use by professionals operating outside industrial premises, but member states can opt to allow use by professionals with adequate training and a license to operate.
• Increase protection of workers during industrial use of such paint strippers through compulsory use of protective equipment (gloves and masks), as well as the modification of the operational strip tanks and adequate ventilation at the workplace.
• Avoid further divergent actions by member states that create obstacles to the internal market without benefit for the protection of all European citizens.

The EC has consulted all relevant stakeholders in the preparation of the proposal. The measures have been evaluated in an EC impact assessment and were found to be most effective and proportionate compared to other available options. Formal adoption by the European Parliament and the European Council is expected by the end of the year.

For further information, see the EU web page on Chemicals: Market Restrictions.

Source: European Commission.