European Union legislation could limit the availability of key process chemicals

Essential processes in packaging manufacture, from can coating to ultraviolet printing and plastics barrier coating, could be undermined by European Union (EU) regulations likely to become law by the end of the year.

The REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) regulations will probably have their second reading in the European Parliament this summer.

Their aim is to ensure that more is known about the effects of possibly harmful chemicals, and to limit their use where appropriate.

But critics claim that the testing and registration processes required, and the uncertainties surrounding authorisation where a risk is identified, will mean that small-scale but vital chemicals could be withdrawn from production.

Fabio Leone at the EU Commission's DG Environment says: "In the latest proposals, if you look at lower volumes, the costs of registration decrease dramatically." He adds: "Now, only certain chemicals will need to be registered. For between 40 and 60%, only existing information will need to be submitted." For a substance that does require testing and registration but is produced in volumes of just 3t a year, the EU puts average costs at euro 12,400. For 30t production, costs could be euro 80,000.

The Metal Packaging Manufacturers Association (MPMA) is concerned about the effect the regulations could have on can coatings. Technical manager David Smith warns: "Suppliers may judge that it's not worth compiling the dossier for particular chemicals. But even if they don't, an inevitable on-cost will sweep down the chain -- don't let anyone tell you otherwise!"

The same could be true for additives that ensure good flow characteristics in a plastics barrier, says Jim Casper, product stewardship manager at coatings supplier PPG Europe. "In such cases, the key technical advantage you get comes from low-volume additives giving better flow, colour or coverage," he says.

A further concern is that potentially hazardous components used in upstream processes could see their authorisation under REACH withdrawn or limited from one year to the next. Casper cites the example of epichlorohydryn, used in the manufacture of epoxy resins.

René Van Sloten, director of international trade and competitiveness at the European Chemicals Industry Council (Cefic), warns of the costs and delay involved in reformulation. The legislation could seriously handicap European suppliers, he says, and possibly accelerate de-localisation in the packaging industry as a whole.