All International Articles

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.

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.

The World Coatings Council has two committees dedicated to issues affecting marine coatings: the Antifouling Coatings Committee (AFCC) and Marine Coatings Technical Committee (MCTC). These committees are comprised of international companies that manufacture, supply, and sell marine coatings and their biocides worldwide. The committees meet every year and engage at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) by supporting the development of technically sound regulations for marine coatings around the world. AFCC is currently tracking activities related to the IMO’s AFS Convention, biofouling guidelines, in-water cleaning standards, and marine plastic litter. AFCC also monitors regulatory activities affecting antifouling coatings and active substances in countries and regions throughout the world. MCTC provides technical advice on critical issues pertaining to the IMO’s Ballast Water Convention and its impact on corrosion in ballast tanks. MCTC’s efforts are currently focused on evaluating the compatibility of new ballast water treatment systems with ballast tank coatings, conducting testing on treated and non-treated ballast water tanks, and the potential re-evaluation of the IMO’s Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC).