HSENI announced that after the 24th August 2023, diisocyanates must not be used as substances on their own, as a constituent in other substances or in mixtures for industrial and professional use, unless:
The registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals (REACH) regulation aims to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals. The REACH regulation applies in both the EU and the UK under EU REACH and UK REACH.
The restriction on diisocyanates came about due to concerns about the respiratory sensitising properties of diisocyanates, with the EU REACH committee voting in favour of adopting a restriction on diisocyanates. This same restriction was adopted in the UK under UK REACH. The restriction requires that after the 24th of August 2023 all industrial and professional users of diisocyanates must be trained, prior to the use of these substances.
Diisocyanates are found in a wide range of products and across many industries. Examples of products that may contain diisocyanates include expanding foams, paints, resins, hardeners, adhesives and sealants, many of which would be used by trades in the construction industry.
As of the 24th of February 2022, manufacturers of products containing diisocyanates were required to put information on product packaging about the need for training. This should also appear in section 2.2 (Label Elements) of the safety data sheet (SDS). It is also possible to check the label or section 3 (Composition/Information on ingredients) of the SDS for the chemicals contained in the product. Where the chemical name includes ‘di-isocyanate’ or ‘diisocyanate’ then there is a need for training.
As part of the restriction the commission placed the onus on the manufacturers of diisocyanate containing products to develop appropriate training on the safe use of diisocyanates. This was to not only cover general training but also training specific to the product and the type of application. As a result, several of the isocyanate, paint and adhesive associations worked to create an online training platform for the safe use of diisocyanates. This platform can be found at the link below. Other training providers may also have developed training in the safe use of diisocyanates that covers the requirements of the restriction.
Safe use of Diisocyanates - Homepage (safeusediisocyanates.eu)
A certificate or documented proof of training completion must be retained, and training renewed at least every 5 years.
Anybody who requires further information on the restriction, can contact HSENI via email at chemicals@hseni.gov.uk or via freephone on 0800 0320 121
To view the Entry 74 REACH restriction scan the QR code below.
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Download HSENI's flyer on the restrictions here.
