BPF Host 3rd Industry Forum on Azodicarbonamide (ADCA)

The 3rd Industry Forum on Azodicarbonamide (ADCA) was held on Tuesday 3rd February 2015 at the offices of BASF, Cheadle Hulme. Hosted by the BPF in conjunction with their Additives Suppliers Group, Steve Quinn (West & Senior Ltd) delivered a presentation highlighting the progress and developments of ongoing industry activity to avoid the proposal for ADCA to be added to the Authorisation List (Annex XIV) of the EU REACH legislation. 

ADCA has been identified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) and prioritised for authorisation by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), due to its respiratory sensitising properties.

The situation surrounding the prioritisation of ADCA under REACH is useful knowledge not just for the Additives Suppliers Group of the BPF, but for various sectors of the plastics industry. Beyond an informative seminar on the specific details of ADCA’s potential authorisation, the seminar is a clear example of how EU legislation can affect the British polymer industry, including many levels of downstream and upstream operations within the supply chain.

The importance of understanding REACH legislation and the opportunity to witness an ongoing case study in detail were apparent from the high turnout of the seminar; with many members present representing a number of the BPF’s Business Groups, as well as downstream non-members keen to gain information regarding the scope and effects of REACH. The seminar also provided an opportunity for those in the supply chain separated by many links to meet with each other and to voice their concerns about the implications of REACH legislation, gaining valuable insight and network contacts.