Source: SPECIALIST PRINTING WORLDWIDE : ISSUE 4/2016
Gabriele Heller discusses the impacts of classification as carcinogenic on the print sector
Titanium dioxide is the white pigment used in manufacturing white ink shades, but also high opaque coloured shades. Due to the high opacity and the high degree of whiteness, there is no alternative white pigment available with similar technical properties.
According to the REACH registration dossiers provided by the manufacturers titanium dioxide doesn’t need to be classified as hazardous according to the criteria of the CLP regulation. Currently there is also no harmonised classification for this substance contained in Annex VI of CLP regulation.
In November 2015, however, the French Anses - Agence nationale de sécurité sanitaire, de l’alimentation, de l’environnement et du travail – provided the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) with a proposal for a harmonised classification of titanium dioxide as an inhalative carcinogen (Carc. 1B – H350i). ECHA’s public consultation on the French proposal took place from 1 June until 15 July.
