Ref: HS038, Dec 16

Background

Pigment Yellow 34 (Lead sulfochromate yellow) and Pigment Red 104 (lead chromate molybdate sulfate red) have been used in some industrial paints for many years. The introduction of the REACH regulation by the EU raised concerns whether their use would be allowed to continue.

DCC Maastricht BV, representing Dominion Colour Corporation (DCC), has been granted an authorisation under the REACH regulation to place on the market these substances and for these to be used in industrial and professional paints for specified uses for 7 and 4 years respectively.(1). Paints imported or manufactured in the EU that contain the substances must use DCC pigments as only they have been granted the authorisation.

Our industrial paint manufacturing members requested we prepare a note summarising the impact the authorisation will have on industrial paints so they can use this as part of their communication with their customers by way of introduction.

This note is only a very short summary. You must ensure that you read and follow the full information your paint manufacturer will be giving you which will run into several pages. If you don’t buy direct from a manufacturer, then your supplier has a legal duty to give you this information. If they don’t please request it from them.

Who Can Buy and/or Use Paints Containing Pigment Yellow 34 and Pigment Red 104?

Only industrial or professional users can buy paints containing these substances where an:

• Industrial user: workers who use chemical products in an industrial site, which can be large or small (2) for example a production line situation.
• Professional users: skilled/trained workers who use chemical products outside an industrial setting (2) for example a professional painter/maintenance worker for non-consumer applications.

It is illegal to sell paints containing these substances to consumers (i.e. the general public) or for the general public to use them.

Where Can Paints Containing These Substances be Used?

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