Regulation
The REACH regulation is the European Union’s directive on the registration, evaluation, authorizations and restriction of chemicals. REACH obligates manufacturers and importers of chemicals to assess the risks related to the use of the product and to provide end-users with instructions on the safe use of chemicals.
Paints themselves are not the substances specified in the directive but raw materials contained in paints must be registered in the EU. Therefore, paint manufacturers must ensure that the raw materials they use in paints comply with the REACH, and they are under the obligation to inform their customers of the substances contained in their paints. Tikkurila has ensured that all raw materials used in the EU region have been or will be registered by 2018 in accordance with the schedule specified in REACH.
The CLP regulation (Classification, Labeling and Packaging) concerns the classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals. The purpose of the regulation is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment. The regulation harmonizes the classification criteria of substances and compounds and the rules governing labelling and packaging.
The CLP regulation is effective in all EU countries and along with it, the Globally Harmonized System of classification and labelling of chemicals (GHS) will be implemented globally. Tikkurila has been preparing for the new labelling and safety data sheet requirements of the CLP regulation since 2013. The warning texts on the labels of Tikkurila's paint products manufactured and sold in the EU region have been replaced by June 2015.
The VOC directives define the maximum volume of VOC emissions in production and the maximum allowed amount of volatile compounds contained in paints. The purpose of the directives is to prevent or reduce the direct or indirect impact of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions on the environment or people.
The biocide regulation governs the use of preservatives in paints. The regulation became effective on September 1, 2013.