Industry | Titanium dioxide industry considers action against EU classification

After nearly 10 years of discussion, the European Commission (European Commission) signed the "EU Labeling and Packaging Regulations" (CLP) and decided to reclassify the inhalable powdered titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a second category of suspected carcinogens.
The decision was published in the official journal of the European Union on February 18 and was formally adopted by the Commission in October 2019.
The decision is based on a proposal originally proposed by France and supported by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Risk Assessment Committee (RAC).
Although the Council of the European Union originally designated September 9, 2021 as the effective date for the legislation, it has now been corrected to October 1, 2021, when TiO2 producers will be required to use powdered TiO2 and containing 1% or More whitening pigments The mixture of whitening pigments is affixed with warning labels.
The Brussels-based Titanium Dioxide Manufacturers Association (TDMA) said its member companies are considering challenges to the new classification, which may include legal proceedings against the European Commission.
But for now, they will continue to implement the revised regulations, because it is conceivable that the legal process may be extended beyond 2021.
In response to last week’s report, the manufacturers reiterated their previous concerns that the decision was “not based on any new scientific evidence or a new understanding of potential harm”.
They also pointed out that the theoretical dust hazard "is not specifically for TiO2," but it may also apply to about 300 other powdered substances.
TDMA also criticized the text of the entry, saying that it introduced some new concepts and terms, but did not provide any meaningful definitions or explanatory guidelines, thus opening the door to various interpretations.
In addition, the association also stated that there is no precedent to show that stakeholders can rely on the implementation of these requirements, and the classification also brings uncertainties to the treatment of TiO2*, these uncertainties need to be resolved and clarified.
 In addition, the association also stated that there is no precedent to show that stakeholders can rely on the implementation of these requirements, and the classification also brings uncertainties to the treatment of TiO2*, these uncertainties need to be resolved and clarified.
Since there is no direct substitute for titanium dioxide , TiO2 producers believe that the new regulations may have "catastrophic" effects on many downstream industries, and the warning labels on this mixture may confuse buyers.
During the lengthy review process of titanium dioxide , the coating industry in Germany and the United Kingdom publicly opposed the mandatory warning label.
The German *Processing and Recycling Federation BDE stated that it is worried that the labeling of TiO2 that may cause cancer will set obstacles to *collection.
Paint in order to ensure consistency of implementation, TDMA and urged to clarify the labeling requirements liquid mixtures, especially for the treatment * and construction industry, this requirement is crucial.
The Council of European Paints, Printing Inks and Artists' Color Industries ( CEP E) also requires clear* regulations before the regulations come into force.
Whether or not companies after Brexit will comply with these rules will depend on the details of the bilateral trade agreement that has not yet been negotiated.
However, most British industries have urged their governments to accept EU rules so as not to be rejected by the European market.