Diisocyanate: Support REACH restriction

Over the years, polyurethane has been widely used in a variety of end-use applications such as foams, coatings, adhesives, sealants, etc. One of the key groups of polyurethane skeletons is isocyanate, which can be harmful to humans when not used or treated properly by the body, especially by inhalation.
JIPr Palmersheim, ALIPA
In order to further reduce the risk of respiratory allergies and further improve the safety culture in the workplace, the EU REACH authorities have developed a proposal for restrictions on the use of isocyanate . The proposal affects substances and products in which the cumulative concentration of isocyanate in substances or mixtures is higher than or equal to 0.1 per cent.
result of REACH restrictions, the most important measure is to require specialized documented training for all employees who deal with isocyanate. To meet this requirement, the European polyurethane industry, led by ISOPA and ALIPA, is currently investing significant resources and budgets to establish a learning management system to provide the necessary teaching materials. This approach will enable a new set of state-of-the-art information to be well integrated into existing occupational safety and health practices at the industrial level, as well as into the professional sphere.
proposed restrictions were handed over to the European Commission in March and will be discussed with all 28 member states in the so-called REACH committee.
the European polyurethane industry supports REACH restrictions to further strengthen the industry's existing product management programs and take worker safety to the next level.
the European Polyurethane Market Profile
the European polyurethane industry is an important contribution to the European economy. The company is made up of a large number of small and medium-sized enterprises, with more than 3 million employees in the value chain and a turnover of more than 200 billion euros (2013), with steady annual growth.
because of their versatility, polyurethane products are essential to our daily lives. Whether it's a mattress, interior or car seat, polyurethane provides everyday comfort. Polyurethane-based insulation technology provides important environmental benefits. In the food sector, insulation from cold chains to modern refrigerators prevents food waste in the supply chain and helps reduce our carbon footprint. In buildings, insulation materials made of polyurethane help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Long-lasting protective coatings for metal and concrete structures in buildings as well as in automobiles and trucks, adhesives and sealants enhance durability.
isocyanate: a key component
the design of polyurethane materials is based on isocyanate. Isocyanate is inherently harmful due to its sensitivity potential, so appropriate technical measures, appropriate personal protective equipment and appropriate information for safe handling are mandatory for its safe use. These technical and organizational safety measures protect employees when using isocyanate and products containing isocyanate. In addition, security data sheets are used to systematically communicate these measures to all levels of the entire value chain.
in typical industrial applications of isocyanate, such as slab production, insulation foam, appliances, car seats, monosome isocyanate in closed devices with fixed piping systems. Possible exposure of workers is reduced to a technically feasible minimum. For applications in a wide range of specialized applications such as coatings, adhesives and sealants, isocyanates are commonly converted into higher molecular weight derivatives, such as polymers or prepolymers, before being used as hardeners, not only for technical properties, but also to reduce the possibility of worker exposure. Isocyanate monosome.
, however, in order to improve the safety culture in the workplace, the polyurethane industry, represented by industry associations ISOPA and ALIPA, has been successfully launched in past safety initiatives that have helped significantly reduce the number of sensitive cases. Activities such as "Walk The Talk" (2006) and "We Care About You" (2010) raise workers' awareness of the handling of hazardous substances and take fine measures to avoid contact with isocyanates and polyurethane hardeners through the skin and respiratory system.
Further safe use of chemicals
In order to further reduce the risk of allergies to workers and users of polyurethane compositions, the German Federal Institute for Safety and Health (BAuA) has proposed a "restriction" approach in the REACH regulations for the use of isocyanate to further improve the safety culture in workplaces throughout the value chain. The scope of the proposal relates to mixtures of substances and products with a cumulative concentration of isocyanate or above or equal to 0.1 per cent.
industrial and professional users of isocyanate or mixtures containing isocyanate are affected. The proposal limits the use of isocyanate in industrial and professional applications where technical and organizational measures have been implemented and a combination of standardized training kits (see submission file in annex 13 for details). Technical and organizational measures to protect employees have been taken in accordance with the recommendations in the appropriate safety data sheet. As a result of REACH restrictions, the most important change will be the requirement for specialized and documented training for all employees dealing with isocyanate.
This measure is strongly supported by the European polyurethane industry because, in addition to existing regulations, it has some significant advantages:
adopts a unified and uniform approach throughout the value chain to ensure that all workers dealing with isocyanate are adequately trained


these types of training are not new to the chemical industry. Occupational health legislation has made it mandatory for decades; Not only for people who come into contact with isocyanate, but also for people who generally deal with hazardous substances. This approach has proved successful because the number of events has been low over the past few years.
, workers are very unlikely to be exposed to these substances. For example, in the case of their professional applications, such as coatings, adhesives and sealants. The exception is the use of isocyanate, preferably polymers or prepolymers with completely different physical properties, i.e. high viscosity and low vapor pressure. In these cases, possible exemptions for additional training measures may be considered, taking into account that exposure may prove to be very low.
the above, it is not possible to obtain an exemption if the temperature is above 45 degrees C and the spray application is applied.
the European polyurethane industry strongly supports REACH restrictions to further reduce the number of sensitivity cases while maintaining the advantages of PUR technology in the European market.