The National Paint and Coatings Association issue a special alert

Citation

(2003), "The National Paint and Coatings Association issue a special alert", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 32 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/prt.2003.12932cab.009

The National Paint and Coatings Association issue a special alert

The National Paint and Coatings Association issue a special alert

Keywords: Paint, Coatings, Health and safety

The National Paint and Coatings Association have issued a special alert advising coatings manufacturers about potential new requirements involving lead dust exposure surface-preparation labeling and consumer education as part of an initiative announced in October 2002 by a group of 27 state attorneys general. The initiative, spearheaded by the office of the Massachusetts Attorney General, would require a consensus "suggested surface preparation label statement", designed to warn consumers of the potential for lead-dust exposure during the sanding and scraping of old paint, as well as associated consumer education, the NPCA said. "As contemplated, this label would be required for all cans manufactured thereafter, with no label – or an inadequate one – at 1 year, and at 2 years for cans that currently have a lead-dust warning label". A shorter consensus label would be required on smaller cans (16 oz. and less).

In addition, an interim "stickering" program for labels might be required for a period of about 18 months for all consumer paint products manufactured as early as 15 June 2003.

The NPCA said the group of attorneys general is also proposing the creation of a controversial voluntary fund devoted to consumer education, financed with contributions by individual companies. In the ongoing discussions, The NPCA said it remains "adamantly opposed to this concept" and will continue to insist that the funding plan be dropped before any final resolution on the labeling initiative can be considered.

NPCA members can obtain more information from NPCA General Counsel Tom Graves, E-mail: tgraves@paint.org or Vice President Steve Sides, E-mail: ssides@paint.org. The NPCA's special alert on the issue can be viewed using the following link: http://www.paint.org/ecoatings/ecoatings_010903.htm