BPF Launches Industry Survey to Demonstrate TiO2 Safe Use

Following the recent EU Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) opinion that TiO­2 should be classified as a class 2 carcinogen through inhalation, the BPF and Titanium Manufacturers Association (TDMA) have put together some surveys to collate data on the safe use of TiO­2 within our industry.

The surveys will add to the weight of evidence that TiO­2 use in the plastics industry is safe; that includes those further downstream in the supply chain as well as upstream. The data will be used to show the European Commission and UK Authorities that its use within the plastics industry is controlled, which in turn could affect the Commission’s adoption of the RAC opinion and also any labelling derogations under CLP regulations.

Regulatory Background

Following assessment of data initially presented by the French national competent authority ANSES, the European Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) have proposed that TiO2 be reclassified as a Class 2 Carcinogen via Inhalation i.e. suspected of causing cancer via inhalation.

This decision currently remains a ‘proposal’ and is yet to be formalised by the European Commission.

This classification, if accepted and implemented, may see new obligations for the supply chain and selected downstream applications. The plastics industry is one of several high usage sectors which may be affected, although currently no specific criteria have been determined or applied by the European Commission.
Numerous industries, including plastics, wish to advocate the historic and current levels of safe use and lack of incidence when handling this substance and aim to demonstrate a lack of correlation between laboratory testing and industrial practice when considering hazard versus actual risk.

To download the survey pack, please click here

If you have any questions regarding TiO2 or regulatory issues, please contact Matt Davies at [email protected]

ENDS