Which EGGER products contain diisocyanates?
Only EGGER Joint & Joist Adhesive contains diisocyanates.
Can diisocyanates be removed from EGGER Joint & Joist Adhesive?
No, EGGER Joist and Joint Adhesive has been developed for its excellent water resistance, bonding strength, and foaming properties, which are achieved through the careful inclusion of diisocyanates. These compounds play a crucial role in ensuring the performance and reliability of our product.
Other D4 adhesives are available on the market which do not contain diisocyanates, can I use these?
EGGER Joint & Joist Adhesive is a Prepolymer adhesive which provides superior bond strength, when compared to an PVA dispersion adhesive. PVA adhesives tend to be more susceptible to moisture and temperature. The EGGER Lifetime Guarantee and BDA Agreement state the use of EGGER Joint & Joist Adhesive. EGGER will not guarantee any flooring system that has been assembled with adhesives from any other manufacture or supplier.
Are diisocyanates safe?
Diisocyanates are common in manufacturing but can pose health risks if they are handled incorrectly. Protective equipment and safety procedures are essential when handing diisocyanates.
Will PU adhesives and sealants remain on the market?
The restriction is targeted at avoiding the unsafe handling of diisocyanates and not on restricting product availability. Due to their unique properties across many applications PU adhesives and sealants will remain widely available.
What specific changes have been made in the UK law regarding the use of adhesive products?
The aim of the new EU Regulation is to enhance and harmonise the level of protection given to workers handling diisocyanates across UK & Ireland. Information about changes in the UK law can be found here: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2006/1907/annex/XVII
Where can I find out information about UK REACH’s list of restrictions?
The conditions for diisocyanates restriction as it applies under UK REACH can be found under entry 74 of the 'List of restrictions', which can be accessed on the HSE website here: Restrictions - HSE.
When do these new regulations come into effect?
The new regulation was adopted on 4th August 2020 and came into force on 24th August 2020. After a three-year transition phase, by 24th August 2023, all professional and industrial users of PU products must be trained and certified.
Can you provide documentation or guidance on the new regulatory requirements?
EGGER has a webpage providing guidance about this topic: https://www.egger.com/en/products/building-products/putraining
What specific training is now required for our employees to use your adhesive?
Training must be conducted by an expert on occupational safety and health with competence acquired by relevant vocational training. It is essential for all employers to evaluate different training providers to ensure the training meets their specific needs, and that the training complies with the require industry standards and regulations.
Training will need to be adequate and appropriate to the use of the substance which includes any specific circumstances as to where it is used. The regulators distinguish between 3 different levels (General Training, Intermediate Training and Advanced Training) depending on the risk to exposure related to the task(s) performed by the employee. A matrix to help establish which training course is suitable can be found here:
https://safeusediisocyanates.eu/images/Documents/Training%20Modules_Tasks_Matrix_March_2023_EN.pdf
FEICA, in coordination with ISOPA and ALIPA, the diisocyanate manufacturers’ industry associations, have developed training material in line with the legal requirements in all European Union languages. The training material is available via an e-learning platform which accommodates online training, webinar sessions or classroom training given by external trainers or organised in-house.
Will you provide the required training, or can you recommend approved training providers?
Adhesive Manufacturers and suppliers do not have an obligation to organise training sessions. EGGER must provide customers with information about the training, and employers are responsible for ensuring that the training is completed by employees and that this completion is documented.
What will the training process involve?
It is essential for all employers to evaluate different training providers to ensure the training meets their specific needs, and that the training complies with the require industry standards and regulations. An example of an eLearning course can be found at: www.safeusediisocyanates.eu
How can we document and evidence our staff's completion of the training?
Any record that shows the user has successfully completed the required training before using the substance will help demonstrate compliance. A certificate issued to the user after they have successfully completed the required training is an example of this.
Are there any penalties, legal or otherwise, for not complying with the new requirements by the specified deadline?
Yes, there are penalties for not complying with the new diisocyanate training requirements enforced by the UK’s Health and Safety Executive (HSE). If a business or individual fails to meet these requirements by the specified deadline, they may face potential legal consequences. Failure to comply is considered an offence under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. Accordingly, the company and/or a responsible individual can be prosecuted and subject upon conviction to substantial fines or imprisonment. Additionally, the HSE can issue enforcement notices, compelling businesses to comply with the regulations.
Are there any other changes to EGGER Joint & Joist Adhesive or its usage we should be aware of?
There are no recipe or chemical changes planned for EGGER Joint & Joist Adhesive. EGGER Joint & Joist Adhesive is currently an anthracite grey colour or a purple colour. These different colours are used to identify the location of the plant where the bottle has been manufactured. Moving forward, all EGGER Joint & Joist Adhesive will be purple in colour. This transition process should be completed by the end of 2023.
Will there be any additional costs associated with this required training?
Costs will vary based on the training chosen for employees. FEICA European Executive Board has decided to financially support the training of professional and industrial users of polyurethane (PU) adhesives and sealants, resorting under the new REACH regulation on the safe use of diisocyanates. With the FEICA voucher code ‘FEICA_21_G’, the training is free of charge for end-users.
Will future deliveries of your adhesive come with clear labels or instructions about the new usage regulations?
Since 2021, EGGER has included the following statement on the labels of EGGER Joint & Joist Adhesive, in a manner that is visibly distinct from the rest of the label information: “As from 24 August 2023 adequate training is required before industrial of professional use.”
Who can we contact with any further questions about these regulations?
If you have any questions or require further assistance regarding this legislation please contact our Product Support Team on Tel. +441434 613304 or via email product.support@egger.com.