EU considering DIY antifouling ban
Theo Stocker, Yachting Monthly
September 1, 2015
The European Union could ban the use of antifouling by
DIY boat owners. Help the British Coatings Federation stop this happening by
taking this survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPNB6NW
Do
you take sensible precautions when antifouling your boat? Credit: Alamy
A new survey has been launched to help understand how
sailors use antifouling paint on their yachts. The data is urgently
needed to inform policy makers who are considering restricting the use of
biocide substances, which could lead to a ban on the DIY application of
antifouling.
The British Coating Federation (BCF), the national trade
association for paint and ink manufacturers in the UK, is asking boat owners to
tell them how they use antifouling on their boats to build a better picture of
this routine maintenance task.
Questions include how sailors apply antifouling, how often
they do it, what protective equipment they use, and what they do if they are
exposed to the paint.
Trevor Fielding, regulatory affairs manager at BCF,
explained: ‘Biocides, which make antifouling paints work, are currently being
reviewed under the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR). The review process is
well under way and is one of the most rigorous assessments of antifouling
active substances and paints to date.’
‘A possible outcome may be the introduction of
restrictions on the use of antifouling paints, for example, limiting their use
to professional users only, and potentially banning their sale to the general
public,’ he said.
The BCF is also concerned that existing products may have
difficulty passing through the registration process due to the hazardous nature
of biocides. ‘This raises concerns that product performance – how well the
product controls fouling – could be detrimentally affected,’ Mr Fielding said.
Take the survey now: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPNB6NW
The biocides in antifouling are potentially
harmful to humans and exposure includes inhalation of fumes or dust from
sanding, and paint splashes. These risks can largely be mitigated with proper
protective gear.
Marine surveyor Ben Sutcliffe was not surprised by the
review of legislation. ‘I’m sure the majority of sailors are sensible in how
they handle antifouling paint, but some people don’t understand how dangerous
these products can be,’ he said. ‘Dry sanding the bottom of your boat for
example, puts dust into the air which can be inhaled as well as causing damage
to other boats.’
Geoff Mackrill, managing director of paint manufacturer
Teamac, was more optimistic: ‘Saying that people can’t be trusted to use a
product simply because it entails some risks is ludicrous,’ he told YM. ‘Sailors
are intelligent people who look after their own safety. If DIY application of
antifouling were banned, it could put maintenance, and the
hobby of sailing, out of reach of many sailors.’
The impact biocidal antifouling has on the environment is
part of the legislative review, although Didier Leroy, technical director at
CEPE (European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists’ Colours
Industry) argues that on balance, it’s good for the environment. ‘Antifouling
brings two major benefits: reduction of fuel consumption and environmental
protection by the limitation of invasive species.’
RYA cruising manager Stuart Carruthers concurred.
‘Legislators are keen to regulate the use of antifouling paint from a health
and safety point of view, but yachts and shipping are also seen as vectors for
the spread of invasive species,’ he said. ‘Banning or weakening antifouling
paint would undermine efforts to combat these threats.’
The BCF estimates that any legislation would take several
years to be approved.
‘We really need to make sure that anyone applying their
own antifouling fully understands the risks and warnings on the data sheet of
the product they are about to apply,’ said Mr Sutcliffe. ‘If we don’t, we can
expect greater regulation.’
‘We believe antifouling paints have been used safely and
effectively by experienced DIY yachtsmen for years; we now need help to prove
this so you can keep doing so,’ said Mr Fielding.
Take the survey now: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPNB6NW