Changes in EU legislation

As you may be aware, EU regulations are getting stricter. In this article, we would like to inform you about upcoming changes in EU legislation with regard to our products.

Titanium dioxide
The dye known as titanium dioxide, which is widely used in paint, is classified as hazardous in dust form as of October 1, 2021 (14th ATP of CLP). The potential danger of this is dust formation. During normal use of our products no dust is formed and it is therefore not dangerous. Nevertheless, we are obliged to print a safety warning on certain colours for some products starting from 1 October.

Microplastics
The use of single-use plastics (e.g. plastic stirrers) and deliberately added microplastics (e.g. facial scrub) is being restricted, because they leak into the sewer, thereby polluting the environment. Work is currently underway on a REACH amendment to the law that will also affect paint manufacturers. We will keep you updated. For now, it is important for you to know that Havo does not add microplastics to its products.

POP
In addition to REACH, 2020 will see additional legislation (EC/1019/2019) introduced in order to reduce the use of materials that are hazardous to the environment: the so-called persistent organic pollutants (POP). Havo has no POPs in its products.

Poison Control Centres/UFI
Last year, regulations were implemented at European level, which meant that producers of hazardous mixtures must digitally supply the composition thereof to a European central point by means of a UFI code. Doctors can request the composition of a product via poison centres in case(s) of ingestion. Havo has no dangerous products and a UFI is therefore not necessary. In case of ingestion, we always recommend consulting a doctor.

Green Deal/Sustainability
The EU Green Deal has resulted in a Chemical Strategy on Sustainability for reducing the use of substances that are harmful to the environment. Sustainability is one of our top priorities, so we continuously work to reduce the use of substances that harm the environment. This applies to both our raw materials and our packaging. An example of this is that, since the beginning of 2021, our Creall clay is packaged in buckets made of recycled plastic. A separate recycling stream for each EU country is currently under development. We are closely monitoring its progress. Do you have information about this? Then of course we would like to hear about it.

Preservatives/Our MIT-Free Products
Various preservatives will again be banned in 2021 (Zinkpyrithione and OIT). Anticipating this, Havo developed its concept ‘full of happiness - preservative-free’ and launched it last year for all Creall products that come into direct contact with children’s hands.

Stricter market surveillance
As we reported in a previous Regulatory Update, this market control legislation came into effect on January 1, 2021. This law protects EU citizens from an increasing number of products entering the EU market from countries outside the EU that do not meet EU safety standards. The law increases control at the EU border, ensures greater cooperation between national inspection authorities and increases the responsibility of importers in case of non-compliance.

Do you have any questions about legislation?
Please don't hesitate to contact our regulatory affairs officer.