Managing regulatory compliance for porcelain enamel

HELLEM T. 1, LIPS K. 1

1 PEMCO, Brugge, Belgium

Porcelain Enamels, described as substance  ‘Frits, chemicals’, are subject to various regulations globally. Recently, significant changes have been made to the registration process by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), impacting how manufacturers and importers must collect and communicate information on these substances within Europe.
The accurate preparation and maintenance of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) is important, as it serves as the primary vehicle for hazard communication. However, SDS requirements vary across global jurisdictions, necessitating a nuanced understanding of national and regional obligations to ensure legal conformity.
In addition to chemical-specific regulations, several overarching European legislative instruments exert influence on the management of enamel. The Packaging & Packaging Waste Regulation, which aims to reduce packaging waste and enhance sustainability, the Critical Raw Materials Act, which establishes a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, and regulations concerning Conflict Minerals, which address the ethical sourcing of materials.
These regulations collectively influence the handling, documentation, and compliance requirements for ‘frits, chemicals’ within the European market.

Keywords: Regulation and compliance