Diisocyanates: Mandatory EU-wide trainings for users
17. February 2023
The European Union has made training courses for industrial and commercial users of diisocyanates mandatory, so as to standardize the safety level across EU member states. As some Conica products contain diisocyanates, we would like to inform customers, partners and downstream users that the training must be completed by 24 August 2023. Retraining must be conducted every five years. The successful completion of the training must be documented by the employer or self-employed person.
Diisocyanates are required in the production of any polyurethane-based products. Polyurethane is a result of the chemical reaction between diisocyanates and polyols and is an important material with a wide range of uses. It is found in several everyday products and is used to manufacture consumer goods and industrial goods. When used in sports surfaces, fall-protection surfaces and industrial floors, polyurethane offers many advantages compared to other surface materials. These include high elasticity and protective function, optimal mechanical and chemical resistance, a long service life and easier maintenance thanks to seamless surfaces. The product label will indicate whether a CONICA AG product has this limitation.
Marking for mandatory training on the packaging
Since 24 February 2022, packaging of all concerned products carries a note regarding the training requirement. In general, the uses listed in our technical data sheets are still permitted. However, the restriction stipulates that in future the substances may only be handled by trained personnel.
The restriction is an amendment to Annex XVII (74) of Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 on REACH concerning diisocyanates. This limitation relates to mandatory training, not to product and/or application limitations. It applies to all aromatic and aliphatic diisocyanates, including substances, mixtures, polymers andprepolymers. The restriction specifies requirements for the use and sale of diisocyanates as independent substances, as part of other substances or in mixtures for industrial and commercial purposeswith a residual monomer content in concentrations of more than 0.1 percent by weight.
Training options available
In order to support customers, partners and downstream users, CONICA is in close contact with manufacturers and suppliers as well as with various associations such as ISOPA/ALIPA. They have set up a training platform and developed training materials to provide an opportunity to all workers who handle diisocyanates to complete the training required by the REACH regulation.
Training material is available on this platform in several languages. The registration of individuals should be avoided by nominating a group of employees of a company. Both e-learning and in-person modules of the training are available. Passing a final test is required to receive a training certificate.
Please feel free to contact CONICA AG in case of any questions.
About Conica:
Conica has been developing and manufacturing innovative seamless flooring solutions based on polyurethane and epoxy resins for sports, games, leisure as well as other areas for over 40 years. Conica is one of the world’s market leaders and innovation drivers in this field. The user-oriented requirements for technical and sports functional performance as well as usability while guaranteeing health aspects of the material itself and for the user are the focus of product development. Conica is part of the Serafin group of companies based in Munich.
