Description
A critical situation has arisen regarding antifouling paints in the EU leisure marine industry. In December 2017 the European Commission will finish its lengthy review process of the biocides for antifouling paints. It is predicted their recommendations will feature overly conservative safety measures that would deprive the EU leisure marine industry access to effective antifouling. This would make the industry less competitive and drastically reduce income generated by tourism. Action Together with CePe – the European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists` Colours Industry – we have produced the attached report outlining the situation. We therefore encourage all European Marine Industry Associations (MIAs) to arrange meetings with their national Competent Authority ASAP in order to start a dialogue setting scenarios for evaluation of antifouling paints. Due to the urgent nature of this situation, we have set out an action timeline for MIAs: 1. August – October 2017 – MIA meetings with Competent Authorities (see attached contact information for all EU countries to help you make the appointment – please use the attached report to support your meeting request) 2. 15 November 2017 – Discuss the results of these meetings and further measures at ICOMIA the Environment Committee during METSTRADE Please contact info@icomia.com for more information and support