22 December
2006
The EU risk assessment report on organotins,
which has just been reviewed by SCHER (1),
confirms the safe use of the majority of tin stabiliser
applications, but highlights issues with regard to organotin
biocides, several catalyst applications, and several minor
stabiliser applications.
The ongoing risk assessment is one of the
most wide-ranging undertaken in the EU, because “organotins”
are a wide variety of substances with a wide variety of
uses. ESPA has worked with the risk assessors through the
process, and is committed to resolving the remaining issues
that are showing.
TBT
The previous use of TBT as an anti-fouling
agent on ships means that its presence remains, though is
declining, in the marine environment. Even though action
at the IMO level has not been completed, as from 1 January
2008, under the law no ship with TBT coating will be allowed
into EU ports. This final step in the removal of TBT anti-foulant
in Europe will hopefully lead to an accelerated resolution
to this issue.
In a number of cases, products highlighted
in the risk assessment report do not contain tins when produced
in Europe, for example consumer products using TBT biocide
which European industry phased out a number of years ago.
However, some of those products entering the EU as imports
may contain TBT. ESPA supports risk reduction measures for
applications confirmed as showing issues, recognising that
these measures will also address imports.
Tin stabilisers
For tin stabilisers, the major use is in
rigid PVC (greater than 95%) where no issues are showing.
Two specific issues are showing, however, in minor applications:
in organotin use in wall covering / flooring and T-shirt
printing. With regard to wall covering and flooring, ESPA
companies are currently working with their customers in
changing to alternative stabiliser systems. Printed T-shirts
are mainly imported from outside the EU – see below
– but ESPA companies are also looking to ensure that
such use ceases in the EU.
This risk assessment shows that the European
system of risk assessment is working as it should. One needs
to recognise that the system uses safety factors so that
‘risks’ as described by the risk assessment
are based on extremely conservative assumptions. Nevertheless
the system correctly builds in such caution and we acknowledge
the methodology.
We will continue to work with the European
Commission and other authorities through our sub-group ETINSA
to ensure that the last remaining issues affecting a number
of organotin applications are resolved, while allowing the
safe use of the majority of tin stabilisers.
Brigitte Dero, bde@espa.eu;
Alain Cavallero, aca@espa.eu
+32 2 676 7286.
(1) Scientific
Committee on Health and Environmental Risks. |
