Voluntary Industry Commitment on the supply of Trichloroethylene
By 31 October 2007 the European Solvent Emissions Directive (VOC Directive) will come into full force.
This means that solvents must be used in closed cleaning equipment only. However, users consuming less than 1 mt of Trichloroethylene per year are exempt from the strict control measures of the Directive. The European producers of Trichloroethylene – who are all members of the European Chlorinated Solvent Association (ECSA) – in discussion with both the European Commission and certain EU Member States – agree that such a situation needs to be corrected. In line with the principles of Responsible Care® all participants commit therefore to a self restriction program to phase out sales of Trichloroethylene for open metal cleaning systems by 31 December 2010.
The goal is to complete the conversion of all metal cleaning applications from open to closed cleaning equipment within this timeframe in order to minimise workplace exposure to Trichloroethylene. The reason to comply with this implementation time line is based on the intention to use Trichloroethylene in a safe way and to:
benefit from its excellent cleaning performance in the long term,fulfil all requirements to prevent it being banned in metal cleaning applications
The following timetable is mandatory to ensure your full participation in the industry commitment:
By 31 December 2007 you must return the Declaration of Awareness to us, acknowledging that you are aware that after 31 December 2010 you will not be supplied with Trichloroethylene unless you confirm that you will use Trichloroethylene for metal cleaning only in approved closed cleaning equipment as defined in Part 4 of European Standard EN 12921. You then will be able to make use of the full transition period up to the end of 2010 with a continued supply of Trichloroethylene for metal cleaningFrom 31 December 2010 onwards you will only be supplied with Trichloroethylene for metal cleaning when you have signed and returned a further Declaration of Conformity, confirming that Trichloroethylene will only be used in approved closed cleaning equipment as defined in Part 4 of European Standard EN 12921. The ‘Declaration of Conformity’ can be returned at any time within the transition period until 31 December 2010.
SAFECHEM as a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company is specialised in the safe and innovative use of solvents. SAFECHEM will happily assist you in finding your best individual solution.
The use of chlorinated solvents in a closed loop safety system which includes a comprehensive service portfolio ensures the safe supply of fresh solvents, safe storage and handling, and safe collection and recycling of used solvents. SAFECHEM is committed to meeting the demands of Responsible Care® and ESAD, and will therefore, in cooperation with us as a responsible SAFECHEM distribution partner, coordinate the conversion from supplying Trichloroethylene in drums to the safe use in the SAFE-TAINER™ system.
For the same reason, we fully support ECSA’s Voluntary Industry Commitment to ensure the safe use of Trichloroethylene. We also firmly believe that it needs both components – closed equipment as well as a closed loop safety system for the safe handling, storage, delivery and return of solvents – to ensure a sustainable future for Trichloroethylene in surface cleaning.
We enclose both declarations and are happy to supply further information on demand at any time.
