LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany – A new SAICM Policy Brief has been published that provides information about the current situation regarding global lead paint elimination. The document reports the successes of the multi-stakeholder effort within the organization’s SAICM-GEF project that aims for a fast realization of a global ban on lead paint. Pointing out the burden of disease due to lead exposure and its threats to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the Policy Brief also offers a call to action for more political guidance: “Without laws to phase-out lead in paint, the shift to sustainable solutions will likely continue to occur at a slow pace,” the document states. It advises, “The adoption of a legally binding and enforced national regulatory framework effectively ensures there is a fair and level playing field for paint manufactures to adhere to lead paint standards and regulations, while holding non-compliant entities accountable. Effective enforcement of lead paint regulations aid in protecting human health and the environment, discouraging potential violators, and leveling the playing field for all companies.”

Georg Döring, Technical Marketing Manager for Architectural and Industrial Coatings and Expert for Lead Chromate Replacement at BASF Colors & Effects^®, supported the Policy Brief with an expert statement from a pigment producer perspective. In his statement, Döring emphasized the decisive contributions: “The sustainable evolution of existing pigment portfolios forms a basis for the elimination of lead in paint. In addition to providing a broad lead-free portfolio, it is equally important to provide our customers with reformulation guidance. When small and medium-sized enterprises start reformulating their paints, they benefit from the knowledge exchange within our technical industry partnership.”

Pigments to Color the Lead-Free Future

Continuously extending the options for paint and powder coatings, the Colors & Effects brand shows that lead-free pigment alternatives cover the complete color space, live up to high performance requirements and can even offer the most economical solution. Since this September, Pacific Orange EH 3963 expands the orange color space and offers outstanding resistance against weather, high temperatures and within chemical processing. With Irgazin^® Orange L 2995 HD, a new alternative for waterborne architectural and industrial coatings will soon be available. On its website Color, the future lead-free Colors & Effects promotes the designated portfolio of lead-free pigments and provides a contact for the transition to lead-free formulations.

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is hosted by UNEP, and it serves as a global policy framework that aims to protect human health and the environment from the unsound management of chemicals and waste. To further advance the elimination of lead paint through the development of laws and to demonstrate the feasibility of lead paint reformulation the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded project, “Global Best Practices on Emerging Chemical Policy Issues of Concern Under SAICM,” focuses on phasing out lead paint by working with governments to support the development of lead paint laws as well as working with small and medium-sized enterprises to promote the reformulation of lead paint from their production processes.