Editors’ note: The European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists‘ Colours Industry (CEPE) represents the interests of about 1,100 paint, 75 printing ink and over 20 artists’ colors companies at the European level. It has 23 member associations and four affiliated associations in 21 countries, 14 company members as well as affiliated paint manufacturers in Poland, Romania, Russia and Turkey. Since the coatings industry has become so global, the discussions and concerns voiced at CEPE are also relative to coating concerns in the Americas.