Health and Safety Executive

Decision 455/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 76/769/EEC as regards restrictions on the marketing and use of dichloromethane

Government department lead

HSE

Main provisions

The decision concerns:

  1. A ban on the placing on the market of dichloromethane (DCM)-based paint strippers for use by the general public after 6 December 2011.
  2. A ban on the placing on the market of DCM-based paint strippers for use by professionals after 6 December 2011. 
  3. A ban on the use of DCM-based paint strippers by professionals after 6 June 2012 with the option for Member States to permit continued use subject to certain conditions.
  4. Additional safety measures for the use of CM-based paint strippers in industrial installations.
  5. Improved labelling of DCM-based paint strippers.

Latest developments

The Decision was adopted by the Parliament and the Council on 6 May 2009 and was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 3 June 2009. It has now become a Commission Regulation formally amending REACH (Commission Regulation (EU) No. 276/2010).

Next steps

HSE is in discussion with the manufacturers of DCM, with the formulators of DCM-based paint strippers and with users concerning the scope of derogation for professional users and the proof of competence required. There are plans to amend the REACH Enforcement Regulations in order to put the derogation on a statutory footing.

The placing on the market of DCM-based paint strippers for supply to the general public or professionals is due to cease 2 years and 6 months after the Decision enters into force. Use of these products by professionals is due to cease 6 months later, although Member State authorities can derogate from this restriction allowing, subject to conditions, continued supply to, and use by competent professional users in their territories.

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Updated 14.12.10