Rt Hon Jack Straw MP Meets with the EU Commission to Discuss Azodicarbonamide (ADCA)

On the 15th September, 2014 Rt Hon Jack Straw MP headed a delegation of British Industry to meet with senior representatives from the EU Commission to discuss the legislative process of REACH and the potential implications faced by users and downstream industry. There was particular focus on Azodicarbonamide (ADCA), a foaming agent used across several areas of polymer foaming throughout the UK and Europe.

The meeting held in Brussels was supported by an earlier cross sector planning meeting hosted and prepared by the BPF and West and Senior Limited (WSL) in London where information from several industry sectors was presented to Jack Straw’s researcher, Daniel Sleat, in preparation for the discussions with the EU Commission.
The BPF, represented by Steve Quinn of West and Senior Ltd (WSL), joined with Jack Straw for the Commission meeting together with; Daniel Sleat, Michelle Ledward of Graham and Brown and Tom Bowtell of the British Coatings Federation. The delegation met with EU Commission senior representatives from the Directorate Generals of both Environment and Enterprise and Industry.

The meeting has been described as constructive and communicative with all parties portraying open and frank assessment of the procedure, potential outcomes, options and future requirements.

Jack Straw presented a thoughtful summary of his findings since first investigating the inclusion of ADCA to the Candidate list of SVHC’s, an investigation which he has taken great insight to having personally visited manufacturing sites to gain first-hand knowledge of the chemistry and its use.
The representatives of the Commission expressed good knowledge of the pending situation for ADCA and acknowledged that the response from Industry has been high and informative.

The meeting discussed the current standing for ADCA, concerns of Industry over Authorisation and possible ways forward for this chemical - the pending decision for which has been postponed until 2015 whilst discussions and further information collation continue that may yet witness a change in direction away from Authorisation.
It is understood by all parties that no change away from Authorisation (Annex XIV) has yet been decided however, options are being considered in place of entrance to Annex XIV including further consideration towards a Europe-wide Occupational Exposure Limit (OEL) - a route the delegation stressed could offer increased pan European legislative protection without detriment or potentially prohibitive financial burden to Industry.

The BPF would like to convey their thanks to Jack Straw and Daniel Sleat for arranging and heading this meeting to the European Commission, the members of the delegation and also to the companies attending the preparatory meeting in London.

Photo From Left –  Steve Quinn, Jack Straw, Michelle Ledward, Tom Bowtell, Daniel Sleat
 

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Notes for editors:

The British Plastics federation (BPF) is the UK trade association for the plastics industry – representing the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers.