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O = C=N-R-N = C=O, with R an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon unit of unspecified length
1. Shall not be used as substances on their own, as a constituent in other substances or in mixtures for industrial and professional use(s) after 24 August 2023, unless:
(a) the concentration of diisocyanates individually and in combination is less than 0.1 % by weight, or
(b) the employer or self-employed ensures that industrial or professional user(s) have successfully completed training on the safe use of diisocyanates prior to the use of the substance(s) or mixture(s).
2. Shall not be placed on the market as substances on their own, as a constituent in other substances or in mixtures for industrial and professional use(s) after 24 February 2022, unless:
(a) the concentration of diisocyanates individually and in combination is less than 0.1 % by weight, or
(b) the supplier ensures that the recipient of the substance(s) or mixture(s) is provided with information on the requirements referred to in point (b) of paragraph 1 and the following statement is placed on the packaging, in a manner that is visibly distinct from the rest of the label information: ‘As from 24 August 2023 adequate training is required before industrial or professional use’.
3. For the purpose of this entry ‘industrial and professional user(s)’ means any worker or self-employed worker handling diisocyanates on their own, as a constituent in other substances or in mixtures for industrial and professional use(s) or supervising these tasks.
4. The training referred to in point (b) of paragraph 1 shall include the instructions for the control of dermal and inhalation exposure to diisocyanates at the workplace without prejudice to any national occupational exposure limit value or other appropriate risk management measures at national level. Such training shall be conducted by an expert on occupational safety and health with competence acquired by relevant vocational training. That training shall cover as a minimum:
(a) the training elements in point (a) of paragraph 5 for all industrial and professional use(s).
(b) the training elements in points (a) and (b) of paragraph 5 for the following uses:
handling open mixtures at ambient temperature (including foam tunnels);
spraying in a ventilated booth;
application by roller;
application by brush;
application by dipping and pouring;
mechanical post treatment (e.g. cutting) of not fully cured articles which are not warm anymore;
cleaning and waste;
any other uses with similar exposure through the dermal and/or inhalation route;
(c) the training elements in points (a), (b) and (c) of paragraph 5 for the following uses:
handling incompletely cured articles (e.g. freshly cured, still warm);
foundry applications;
maintenance and repair that needs access to equipment;
open handling of warm or hot formulations (> 45 °C);
spraying in open air, with limited or only natural ventilation (includes large industry working halls) and spraying with high energy (e.g. foams, elastomers);
and any other uses with similar exposure through the dermal and/or inhalation route.
5. Training elements:
(a) general training, including on-line training, on:
chemistry of diisocyanates;
toxicity hazards (including acute toxicity);
exposure to diisocyanates;
occupational exposure limit values;
how sensitisation can develop;
odour as indication of hazard;
importance of volatility for risk;
viscosity, temperature, and molecular weight of diisocyanates; — personal hygiene;
personal protective equipment needed, including practical instructions for its correct use and its limitations;
risk of dermal contact and inhalation exposure;
risk in relation to application process used;
skin and inhalation protection scheme;
ventilation;
cleaning, leakages, maintenance;
discarding empty packaging;
protection of bystanders;
identification of critical handling stages;
specific national code systems (if applicable);
behaviour-based safety;
certification or documented proof that training has been successfully completed
(b) intermediate level training, including on-line training, on:
additional behaviour-based aspects;
maintenance;
management of change;
evaluation of existing safety instructions;
risk in relation to application process used;
certification or documented proof that training has been successfully completed
(c) advanced training, including on-line training, on:
any additional certification needed for the specific uses covered;
spraying outside a spraying booth;
open handling of hot or warm formulations (> 45 °C);
certification or documented proof that training has been successfully completed
6. The training:
(a) must comply with any other requirements contained in any other legislation that relate to the delivery of the training elements referred to in paragraph 5 and
(b) is in addition to any other training required by any other legislation.
7. The supplier referred to in point (b) of paragraph 2 shall ensure that the recipient is provided with training material and courses pursuant to paragraphs 4 and 5. The training shall take into consideration the specificity of the products supplied, including composition, packaging, and design.
8. The employer or self-employed shall document the successful completion of the training referred to in paragraphs 4 and 5. The training shall be renewed at least every five years.
9. The Agency shall include in its report pursuant to Article 117(2) the following information:
(b) the number of cases of reported and recognised occupational asthma and occupational respiratory and dermal diseases in relation to diisocyanates;
(d) information about enforcement activities related to this restriction.
10. This restriction shall apply without prejudice to other legislation on the protection of safety and health of workers at the workplace.
