New classification of cobalt-bis-(2-ethylhexanoate)

For BÜFA customers everything remains the same!

The Cobalt REACH Consortium has decided to tighten the classification of cobalt-bis-(2-ethylhexanoate) with effect from 1st November 2018. This raw material is widely used in the composite industry for the production of pre-accelerated UP resin systems. BÜFA Composite Systems has taken on this task, assessed it for the benefit of our customers and developed appropriate solutions.

The good news for you as a BÜFA customer: All resin speciality products from the complete BÜFA range are still available in the usual quality and all BÜFA products containing cobalt are below the specified limits or have been provided with substitution products. This means that these BÜFA products do not have to be additionally marked and nothing changes for you in handling and application – the BÜFA products can be handled and processed as usual!

When using other UP resin systems in your company, we recommend that you clarify the current status of future classifications using the product safety data sheets. If you continue to use products according to the more stringent classifications, extensive measures are necessary in your company. Current information on this is available, e.g. from the AVK industry association.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding the above-mentioned topics, in particular on cobalt accelerators.

Cobalt accelerators are a special case because they can contain the cobalt bis( 2-ethylhexanoate) in question at a concentration of >= 0.3%. Starting at this concentration, it is anticipated that starting 01 November 2018, it will be obligatory to label it as toxic for reproduction category 1B (Repr. tox. 1B).

For you, this reclassification means that you will need to verify whether you are allowed to use products with this label in your company. In this is the case, please contact the appropriate authority.

BÜFA Composite Systems can continue to offer an accelerator product line with different options. The alternative products listed in the following table contain a 1:1 replacement which corresponds to the current classification. That means nothing changes for you in handling and using the BÜFA products. They can be handled and processed as usual! If required, we would be happy to support you with sample quantities for your internal tests.

In addition, we can offer the following polymer cobalt types that already exist in our current product line. Please have find info below:

The industry association AVK | excerpts from the newsletter “AVK News” from 21 September 2018:

Classification cobalt octoate

Contrary to previous assumptions, the reclassification of cobalt bis 2-ethylhexanoate will already take place on 01 November 2018 and not on 01 January 2019. There are currently no new safety data sheets available, so it is advisable to contact the relevant supplier to obtain up-to-date information.
The classification of concentrations of 0.3% or more is determined to be damaging to fertility. In addition, H360 F May impair fertility and H360 D May cause harm to an unborn child.

This has resulted in some organisational measures for manufacturing companies:

• It must be determined whether this substance was already contained in a permit issued based on the German Federal Emissions Control Act (BImschG). If not, authorisation must be requested for any use beyond 1 November 2018. If it does, the authorising authority should be informed of the reclassification, at the latest after the updated safety data sheet has become available.
• With a corresponding classification below 1B, the corresponding substance must be replaced in accordance with the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (taking into account specific requirements). In any case, an appropriate substitution test must be carried out and it must be thoroughly documented. If it is not possible to replace the substance in question, appropriate technical, organisational or individual protective measures must be taken (in this order of priority). This also includes a comprehensive risk assessment. The appropriate employees need to be instructed in handling (technical knowledge).
• The return of extracted air into the room in which this substance has been handled is strictly prohibited. In addition, it goes without saying that the corresponding principles of the Chemical Ban Ordinance, the Youth Protection Act, the Maternity Protection Act and the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA-Luft) apply. According to the 2016 draft of the Technical Instructions on Air Quality Control (TA Luft), this substance would be considered a Class 1 substance, with an emissions volume threshold of 1mg/m³. In addition, it is to be expected that this substance will be included on the SVHC list in the future.

Source: AVK-TV GmbH | Am Hauptbahnhof 10 | 60329 Frankfurt am Main | Germany| Phone: +49 (0) 69 / 27 10 77 – 0 | Mail: info@avk-tv.de | Web: www.avk-tv.de

Our partner for organic peroxides, United Initiators, concentrates exclusively on the development and production of peroxides.

The main office and production plant for the European market are located in Germany. United Initiators was the first company to produce 100 % phthalate-free peroxides in Europe, thus contributing to their goal of sustainability.

The products are distinguished by a high quality standard and product safety and their line of products is outstandingly coordinated to your applications.

Important Note

Hardeners, accelerators and, if applicable, inhibitors must be exactly coordinated to each other if the desired effect is to be achieved. The selection of the optimum cold curing system depends on working conditions as well as the requirements placed on the finished product.

Attention

It is exceedingly important that peroxides and accelerators are never stirred into the resin at the same time but one after the other to prevent fi res or deflagration.