Diisocyanates: Training the workforce

In addition to new labelling requirements, the restriction specifies that all industrial or professional users of diisocyanates with a monomeric concentration greater than 0.1 % by weight have to complete a training. This requirement must be met before 24th August 2023.

Under the new restriction, on the one hand, suppliers of diisocyanates shall ensure that the recipient is provided with training materials and courses in the official language(s) of the Member State(s) where the substance(s) or mixture(s) are supplied. On the other hand, employers are responsible for ensuring that their employees have successfully completed the training on the safe use of diisocyanates prior to the use or handling of the substance or mixture. The training shall take into consideration the specificity of the products supplied, including composition, packaging, and design.

ISOPA/ALIPA, with the help of 100+ experts from Downstream Associations, have worked closely together to develop the required set of training material to help stakeholders implement the EU requirements and ensure the safe use of diisocyanates all over Europe.

On www.safeusediisocyanates.eu, suppliers and users can find all the necessary material to be trained according to the REACH requirements. The platform offers nearly 50 training paths, including specific content on coating applications. Users can already get access to the training material and training courses in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian and Dutch. The platform will also be available in all other EU official languages before the end of 2022.

How to register and start the training?

There are different options to get trained:

• Self-eLearning: You can register for a nominal fee of 5€ / trainee, select your training, follow the course online, take a test and receive your certificate.
• Admin account: If you wish to register multiple employees, you can create as a company an administrative account. This allows you to manage the subscriptions, pay with a credit card for all your employees, receive an invoice and assign them to the training they need. The admin account is for free.
• Trainer access: If companies prefer a virtual or face-to-face training with a trainer, those trainers can also register on the training platform. If you are educated or have work experience in EHS, and especially with diisocyanates, you can register for an annual subscription fee and get access to all the training material and conduct your courses online and offline: https://isopa-aisbl.idloom.events/become-a-suod-trainer .

How to know which training to select?

The legislator has foreseen that industry should take responsibility for organizing the training and that it is the employer who has to take care of their employees to receive the right training. The restriction specifies three levels of training required for the various uses of diisocyanates:

• Level 1: General training (mandatory for all users);
• Level 2: Intermediate training (e.g.: Polyurethane adhesives, floor bonding and floor coatings and waterproofing);
• Level 3: Advanced training (e.g.: Other (non-spray) application process of Paints & Coatings, open handling hot and warm formulations (45°C)).

The general training (level 1) is a pre-requisite for levels 2 and 3 and is thus part of them. The three levels are explained in detail on the platform and are all covered in the training material.

Who’s behind the initiative?

The platform is a collaborative effort bringing together the manufacturers of diisocyanates in Europe, represented by ISOPA and ALIPA, and major European Downstream Associations such as Europur (flexible foam), Euro-Moulders (moulded foam), PU Europe (rigid foam), FEICA (adhesives and sealants), CEPE (painting and coating), EFCC (construction chemicals), Icomia (marine industry) and PDA Europe (polyurea). Those partners represent most of the European workforce affected by the new regulation.