The EuPIA Exclusion List evolves into a new Policy

1 Page 1 of 2 Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 6 - BE-1160 Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 676 7480 - Fax: + 32 (0)2 676 7490 - E-mail: - Internet: The EuPIA Exclusion List evolves into a new Policy The average man in the street has probably never heard about the EuPIA Exclusion List. In fact, it has been an important code protecting the health and safety of workers in the ink and printing industries, as well as the end users of printed materials. In 1996 the European sector group of the printing ink industry took over existing national stewardship initiatives to create the Exclusion List for Printing Inks and Related Products. It applied stricter rules to the manufacture and marketing of inks than the existing legal regulations would have required. In taking this responsibility, the European ink industry took a proactive lead for the world. Since 2003, the European printing ink industry is represented by the European Printing Ink Association ( EuPIA ) and maintains such important tasks through its Technical Committee, which over the years has amended and adapted the Exclusion List from time to time, and has lately taken the initiative to find an even better approach to the internationally acknowledged Exclusion List.

2 Until recently, the criteria of the Exclusion List were simply hazard-based. But to assess the risk, it must also be taken into account how the substance is used and whether there is any exposure. Take for example sharp knives. Of course they are hazardous, however they are necessary and when properly used, the risk of injuries is obviously low so there has never been an attempt to generally prohibit knives. This illustrates how a plain Exclusion can be missing the point and where exposure scenarios have to become part of the equation. The combination of toxicological data as well as data on uses and exposure is needed to properly assess a risk for the use of a substance. With the Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals - REACH - more and more of these data will be available. REACH addresses not only the hazard properties of chemicals, but also their potential impact on human health and the environment, considering their intended uses and exposure scenarios.

3 One core element is the demand to communicate measures for using a substance safely. Taken together, data and proper information will make the handling of chemicals much safer. REACH came into force in 2007 and will only be fully implemented after more than a full decade, because it is the most complex and strictest law for chemicals regulation throughout the world. More than 140,000 chemical substances have been pre-registered, and the greater part will be page 2 of 2 Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 6 - BE-1160 Brussels Tel: +32 (0)2 676 7480 - Fax: + 32 (0)2 676 7490 - E-mail: - Internet: registered by 2018. In time, all substances will have been assessed and the most hazardous will be subject to appropriate regulatory controls in Europe as per their uses and exposure. When fully implemented, this would mean that an Exclusion List will not be needed any more. For the time being however, EuPIA 's hazard-based approach has continued value and has now been adapted to ensure it remains fit for purpose.

4 All substances that were excluded for the manufacture of printing inks in the former EuPIA Exclusion List will remain excluded in the new Exclusion Policy . The new EuPIA Exclusion Policy (downloadable below), to which all EuPIA member companies have agreed, maintains the hazard-based approach from the former list. However, elements of exposure-based risk assessment and management have been introduced which shall apply in cases where an existing raw material is re-classified and thus fulfils Exclusion criteria. For these raw materials, rules are defined on how the procedures of substitution may be handled or, if not replaceable in the short term, under which circumstances a safe continued use may be possible (time limited where appropriate). In this way negative impacts on customers processes or business continuity can be mitigated, whilst still striving to uphold the highest standards of health and safety.

5 EuPIA , 2016-06-28