International

Maritime Transport of Plastic Pellets

In 2023, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) agreed to a two-stage approach to address the environmental risks associated with the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers. This effort stems from recent maritime incidents involving the release of plastic pellets into coastal waters, including serious accidents in Sri Lanka, Spain, and the Netherlands. In March 2024, the IMO completed the first stage of its approach by finalizing a circular (non-mandatory guidance) that contains voluntary recommendations for the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight containers. The IMO will now shift its focus to the second stage, which involves the consideration of amendments to mandatory instruments to ensure the safe maritime transport of plastic pellets. Read More…

Sustainability

Sustainability Committee Update

ACA’s Sustainability Committee aims to build a comprehensive industry approach to sustainability both domestically and globally, focusing on issues that deliver the most value to the industry. ACA’s Sustainability Committee seeks to highlight and improve the industry’s sustainable contributions by developing the Sustainability Program, Product Category Rules (PCR), the Sustainability Report, and other guidance documents. ACA is continuing its work on finalizing the Sustainability Program for Architectural Coatings (NSF/ANSI 498) which is a third-party certified multi-attribute sustainability product standard that provides industry with consistent and broadly accepted sustainability metrics. ACA developed PCRs for architectural coatings, resinous floor coatings, and powder coatings; ACA has nearly completed the coil coating PCR and anticipating its release later this year. ACA started work on updating the PCR for Architectural Coatings. ACA actively monitors the state of green building codes, including the highly anticipated release of the U.S. Green Building Councils' LEEDv5 program. ACA is finalizing the 2024 Sustainability Report, which will be released in June. Read More…

International

Report on the United Nations (UN) Sub-Committee of Experts (SCE) on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS)

The United Nations (UN) Sub-Committee of Experts (SCE) on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) meets biannually in Geneva, Switzerland. The World Coatings Council records discussions of other proposals of interest to its membership and submits proposals as needed. The 46th Session of the UN SCE GHS will be held from July 3-5, 2024 and the 47th session will be held from December 4-6, 2024. The World Coatings Council monitored developments of upcoming changes to the GHS, including introducing 6 new hazard classes and updating the system to harmonize with their upcoming regulatory changes to their CLP regulations. The WCC joined the working group for this task and will continue to participate as the proposal is developed. The Council will continue to attend UN GHS meetings and monitor any proposals that may impact the paint and coatings industry. Read More…

Sustainability

U.S. Criteria for Product Category Rules (PCRs) to Support the Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials

EPA has been working to identify construction materials and products with substantially lower levels of embodied carbon through the creation of its Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials. EPA is proposing to standardize and improve the quality of data used in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which disclose key environmental impacts of a product’s lifecycle. EPA drafted recommended criteria for the development Product Category Rules (PCRs) to support the Label Program. ACA has developed several PCRs for the coatings industry and submitted comments on the PCR Criteria, as it may impact how PCRs are developed by our organization. ACA will continue to monitor the development of this program. Read More…

International

Report on the United Nations (UN) Sub-Committee of Experts (SCE) on the Transport of Dangerous Goods

The United Nations (UN) Sub-Committee of Experts (SCE) on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) meets biannually in Geneva, Switzerland. The World Coatings Council submits and presents proposals at the UN SCE TDG meeting, as well as records discussions of other proposals of interest to its membership. After each meeting, the council drafts a final report that highlights the background of each proposal, the discussions, and the outcome. The World Coatings Council will continue to participate in UN SCE TDG meetings to advocate on behalf of the paint and coatings industry. Read More…