This information is intended for CEPE members only.
It is not intended to be distributed outside the CEPE community

CEPE Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) project, which started in September 2011 is a database containing raw materials used commonly in the coatings industry. More information on how the CEPE database was built can be found here. An additional objective was to make this data accessible to non-experts in environmental assessment, particularly to SMEs, via the development of an easy-to-use Ecofootprint tool.

CEPE is updating the current raw material LCI which contains 300+ key raw material LCI data and can be used in life cycle assessment software like SimaPro and GaBI by member companies.
The new update will be based on the latest Ecoinvent background databases, checks, error fixes, required proxy updates, and other consistency checks. CEPE will also perform an analysis of the significant carbon footprint deviations between the old database and the new database updates. The update is expected for end 2023. Members will be informed and a webinar will be organised in Q1 2024.

The next “CEPE Regulatory Quarterly Update” meeting will take place on Friday 7 July 2023.

This meeting will provide you with the latest developments on all the EU political and regulatory developments as well as the priorities of CEPE. You will be updated on topics linked to REACH, CLP, Biocides and the EU Green Deal. All members involved in CEPE groups are encouraged to join.

The webinar is planned from 10.00 to 12.30 CET. Its intention is to provide members with a state of play of the most relevant issues for the membership while remaining within a reasonable time limit. As we expect to attract many members, questions will only be allowed through the Teams’ Chat.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday 7 July 2023 at 10:00 CET.

Please register Here to attend and you will get the dial-in information.

Neil Oxtoby was welcomed as new Chairman.
Research Institute (RISE) presented the last results for work package one (WP1). Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry( LC-MS) did not detect soluble polymers above limit of quantification LOQ (0,01µg/mL). Although Total Organic Compound (TOC) technique did detect soluble polymers.
Work package two (WP2) started on 13th March and is expected to end mid-June. Results from sampling time one and two were shared. It was observed that the number of small particles (1-5 µm) decreases over time and that the Cu concentration was lower compared to the results from WP1.

A second ad-hoc call on the topic of industrial bespoke mixtures and the Poison Centre legislation was held, with around 45 participants attending, from various CEPE and EuPIA groups (TC LSDS, EuPIA LSDS WG, ETC and two of the PCN circulations). Some further insights and approaches were shared by several members, as well as a brief summary of the specific approaches taken by individual Appointed Bodies in different Member States. This issue continues to challenge members and there is no possibility of agreeing a common approach to this in the CEPE-EuPIA community. The group confirmed that no further action should be taken by the CEPE-EuPIA Secretariat on this topic.

The Can SG focused discussions on the BPA situation and actions needed to support their request to support the transition period, and reviewed the topics discussed in the TJIG. A placeholder call was agreed for the end June in case of a possible development of the BPA Regulation, while the next regular call will be in October.

CEPE carried out a melamine survey in March 2023 to gather information on melamine use and exposure. Eleven companies participated in the survey. Intumescent, Can, Coil and Printing Inks were the main sectors affected. The intumescent sector is already leading actions on melamine for its sector. The group agreed to meet the European Melamine Producers Association (EMPA) to find out more about the regulatory situation of Melamine in Europe. The CEPE initiative on the Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) was presented to the group. The CEPE AoA template was shared with members so that they can discuss it internally and bring suggestions to next meeting.

The Powder Coatings Boosting Image WG held their fifth Teams meeting primarily to discuss the newly-proposed 2-tier funding model, to fund the raising Awareness Campaign. There was broad general support from WG members for the proposed model, which was seen as reasonable and fair by both larger and smaller member companies. A few companies are still to finalise their internal discussions and to formally comment on the funding model. It was hoped that these final remaining companies will be able to confirm their positions prior to the Powder Coatings SG meeting on 16th May. If there is full support to proceed with the Campaign then the WG confirmed their opinion that this should continue to be handled and coordinated by this WG.

The Artist Colours Sector Group held its annual meeting for the first time in three years in Lisbon. It was an opportunity to thank Ronald Benning for his work over the years and to welcome Michael Craine as new Chairman. Members were given an extensive review on the findings of the studies conducted on consumers and re-sellers. They were also updated on the work of the Technical Committee on the different dossiers impacting the sector and invited to join the other working groups of CEPE of relevance to them. Members were invited to provide comments on the website under revision. It is proposed that the meeting of the Sector Group in 2024 will be a joint session of meetings with the TC.

Once again, the CSS group had very interesting discussions as things move quickly. The EU Commission will not set a new system in law for a robust analysis of alternatives but will want to get information on use, exposure and alternatives before giving derogations. The group still maintains that a robust system in law is needed and will have to continuing advocating, especially towards Member States and the EU Parliament. Alignment with other industries will continue. Other topics were discussed such as the overlap between the CSS and the Eco-design for a Sustainable Product Regulation.

The Deco TC centered its discussion on the microplastic projects and on the need for future commitment on the revision of the EU ecolabel criteria. It also got updated on the revision of the LCI value (concentration limit in air) of MIT for indoor air which, if confirmed, would not allow to use that preservative anymore in the countries using such value.

A selection of members from our TC Transport group met to discuss the upcoming eFTI legislation, and its impact on our current discussions in the group regarding digitalization. The meeting concluded that eFTI is not the solution to our digital issues, but an additional element to take into consideration. There are too many moving issues underway at the moment for us to prepare a good INF paper for the next UN SCE TDG meeting. We have therefore decided to postpone our INF paper until the December 2023 meeting. We have identified several research and outreach etc. actions needed to be done before we have the basis for a good INF paper – group members will think about these actions over the coming months before we reconvene in Sept-October to work on the INF paper in earnest. We should continue to share our concerns and comments with Member State authorities, and our existing thought Starter paper can be used as a basis for these initial discussions.

The Powder Sector Group met in Amsterdam for their Spring 2023 meeting, kindly hosted by AkzoNobel. The group were updated on the current activities of the campaign WG, seeking to finalise a decision on whether to proceed (based on member confirmation regarding the funding model). The topics of Microplastics and BPA also required considerable discussion, with some specific actions for the group, to ensure proper representation of the specific powder issues. Plastic pellets and tariff codes were also discussed.

The EuPIA EFPI WG concluded the first deliverable of the EFPI guidance document that can be used for calculating printing inks Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA). The WG will also monitor the progress for obtaining raw material Life-Cycle Inventory (LCI) from relevant suppliers’ associations and update the guidance document accordingly. 

The main topic during this meeting were the amendments to Annex XVII to REACH as regards microplastics. CEPE staff presented a summary of the Annex. The summary covered the following aspects: microplastic definition, derogations, obligations, and exclusions possibilities. A summary of the EPDLA position paper (…polymer dispersions, redispersible powders made thereof and synthetic polymer microparticles) was also shared. CEPE staff proposed a draft guideline on microplastics. Members are encouraged to provide input to make CEPE guidelines possible. Concerning secondary microplastics, the EU Commission has postponed the presentation of its expected proposal. CEPE staff shared the first draft lab report from our CEPE research on microplastics release from deco facades paints.

The Artists’ Colours Technical Committee held its Spring 2023 meeting in-person for the first time for over 3 years. Several topics warranted considerable discusson by the group, including the current situation with regard to the classification of TiO2, the expected imminent draft revision of the Toy Safety Directive, and the current status of the revisions to REACH and CLP. The formatting of labels under the CLP revision is of particular concern to EuACA members. Issues with packaging such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and Extended Producer Responsibility schemes were also covered, as well as the planned changes to the EuACA website, and the next steps that might be taken with regard to the white paper on EN 71-3 (test laboratory deviations). This was the first meeting with Paul Salverda as chair - a new vice-chair is still sought for this committee.

The CSS group agreed on the way forward to pursue the discussion on the early analysis of alternatives with some NGOs and to try tabling a joint paper for the next Caracal early July. The group was updated on public affairs activities mainly centred around CLP. The group position on Mixture Assessment Factor (MAF) has not changed but can be nuanced in discussions with the EU Commission on its phase-in. Member States input following the last Caracal were reviewed and it appears that so far, among those who responded, no Member States voiced concerns over what the EU Commission is proposing.

The EuPIA NIAS Risk Management Task Force discussed the risk assessment of clastogenic substances as well as the outline of a potential project on risk assessment of oligomers. Furthermore, the role of the group concerning the revision of the framework regulation on food contact materials was covered as well as potential changes to the remit of the group. In order to tackle the many topics the group decided to hold a physical meeting in Frankfurt in autumn.

Work Package one (WP1) has been finalized. The main objective of this first research phase was to find out a suitable methodology allowing us to measure the release rate and characterisation of microplastics and soluble polymers from antifouling paint. WP1 was based on a modification of ISO 15181-1. Modified parameters were set to accelerate coating degradation. Following WP1 results, WP2 was designed. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) did not detect dissolved polymers ( Limit of detection (LOD) = 50mg/L) in WP1. LC-MS will be performed for screening of polymers with higher molecular weights; and soluble compounds will not be analysed by GC-MS during WP2. In addition, Total Organic Compound analysis has been suggested for WP2. Since Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analysis was not possible from 240 rpm during WP1, it was concluded that increasing rotation speed for WP2 is not needed. During WP1, Pyrolysis GC-MS analysis could not be carried out due to problems with filter. So, further analysis without filter were done. But detection was not possible because of high concentration of salt in the samples. Method validation has been requested by comparing members data (real situation) with paint volume losses measurements during WP2.