Taking A Lead On Lead

VinylPlus, the European PVC industry’s commitment to sustainable development, has welcomed the publication of the European Commission regulation restricting lead in PVC under the EU’s REACH regulation.

The regulation, which will enter into force on 24 May 2003, supports the industry’s efforts to substitute lead stabilisers in PVC production. In fact, VinylPlus has, since 2015, been working proactively to eliminate lead in PVC across 27 EU Member States.

The regulation will restrict the import of lead-containing PVC products from countries where lead is still used as a stabiliser. It will also set a way forward to enable the recycling of PVC products containing legacy lead additives in a manner which safeguards human health and the environment.

Additionally, the industry will be given enough time to adjust to the new rules, ensuring the continuity of recycling and enabling the industry’s contribution to the EU's circular economy.

 

Circular economy

Brigitte Dero, VinylPlus MD, says: "PVC is a building block of our modern societies. It is a versatile, durable and highly recyclable polymer, widely used in various applications, including building and construction, energy production, agriculture, and healthcare. It plays a significant role in enabling the EU Green Deal.

“The industry’s commitment to increase its recycling rate contributes to the EU circular economy. The restriction on lead in PVC represents a significant step in enabling the PVC industry to meet its ambitious recycling targets of one million tonnes per year of recycled PVC used in new products by 2030 in a safe way for human health and the environment

”VinylPlus is committed to continuing its efforts to accelerate the European PVC value chain transition to a circular economy. We look forward to collaborating with all stakeholders to achieve our common goals."

 

About VinylPlus

VinylPlus is the European PVC industry’s commitment to sustainable development. Through VinylPlus, the European PVC industry is creating a long-term sustainability framework for the entire PVC value chain, improving PVC products’ sustainability, circularity, and contribution to a sustainable society.

 

Picture: Brigitte Dero, VinylPlus MD.

www.vinylplus.eu

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
18th May 2023

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