This biannual newsletter aims to give you a ‘snapshot’ of the main topics and achievements that our technical groups believe are the most pertinent to share with you.
Presentation slides of the FEICA webinar on implementing sector use maps - 15 April 2021
Key takeaways:
• Use maps play a key role in supply chain communication and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) encourages their implementation
• FEICA use maps cover the majority of typical uses for sealants and adhesives in industrial and professional as well as consumer settings
• Using ECHA’s CHEmical Safety Assessment and Reporting tool (CHESAR) to implement FEICA use maps saves time for registrants
• The improvements derived from the implementation of use maps will only be noticeable when applied to a majority of raw materials used in adhesives and sealants
Terminology and definitions to be used in the context of plastic packaging recycling
FEICA is aware of several different stakeholders publishing guidelines on plastic recycling, including requirements for adhesives in plastics recycling. Divergent terminology is used in these guidance papers, and this terminology also often differs from what is used in the adhesives industry and by users of adhesives. This Position Paper aims to assist stakeholders in furthering a common understanding of adhesives and the requirements that are important for adhesives in plastic recycling. A common language and technically sound definitions will help to ensure a better understanding amongst stakeholders and an easier exchange of expertise.
The REACH Regulation EC 1907/2006 requires to include with the registration of substances, a chemical safety assessment on the whole life cycle of a chemical. The result of such an assessment is communicated downstream via exposure scenarios (ES) attached to the safety data sheet (SDS) of the substance. Downstream users such as formulators or users of adhesives and sealants are required to take this information on safe use into account in their own documents and adjust their own use conditions accordingly. To assist this process, several downstream user associations under the umbrella of DUCC (Downstream Users of Chemicals Coordination Group), have summarised their typical uses by including state-of-the-art use conditions of main applications in so-called use maps.
This guidance is not intended to describe the full use map concept but rather the specifics of applying the FEICA use map. More information on the safe use of mixtures is available via the FEICA public website.
In our previous briefing paper, we examined the potential outcomes of the UK leaving the EU with and without a deal. A “no deal” scenario was avoided and the UK left the EU with a signed withdrawal agreement. We’d like to take the opportunity to update you with our current understanding of the implications of these developments on our industry.
Presentation slides of the FEICA webinar 'Testing project on hotmelts for food packaging' - 17 March 2021
Below are the webinar takeaways :
• Typical hotmelts for food packaging do not contain mineral oil
• The FEICA testing project could demonstrate the safety of representative hotmelts for food contact materials
• A correlation can be established between extraction, simulation and testing on real foodstuff when simulation will predict real migration with a safety margin
#foodcontact #paper&packaging #MOSH #MOAH #mineraloil
ALMA Press Release 24 February 2021
In order to improve the efficiency and driving range of electric vehicles, the weight of the global vehicle must be reduced. In addition, increasing environmental awareness and forthcoming stricter regulations demand the adoption of circular economy principles across the entire vehicle life cycle.
The EU therefore approved the ALMA project (Advanced Light MAterials and Processes for the Eco-Design of Electric Vehicles). The project, of which FEICA has been a supporting partner, will be funded under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme. Also see CORDIS for more information.
The EU has approved the ALMA project (Advanced Light MAterials and Processes for the Eco-Design of Electric Vehicles). FEICA has been a Supporting Partner to help build their case.
ALMA aims to improve the efficiency and driving range of electric vehicles by reducing the weight of the global vehicle structure. In addition, this 3-years project will also promote the adoption of circular economy principles from early stages across the entire vehicle life cycle.
In order to contribute to the improvement of the Poison Centre Notification (PCN) format, FEICA and EFCC (European Federation of Construction Chemicals) provided the European Commission with a non-exhaustive list of Interchangeable Component Group (ICG) names in January 2020. The listed ICG names are available for use in the PCN format.
An ICG consists of multiple similar components (fitting certain criteria), where each can be used interchangeably in a mixture without altering that mixture’s overall classification, hazard or emergency health response.
Shortage of raw materials - March 2021
Plant shutdowns in Europe and the USA, as well as severely limited sea and land freight capacities, are affecting the availability of raw materials for the adhesives and sealants industry.