Clariant Supports Phased Removal of Lead from Paints in the Coatings Industry

The Global Alliance for Phasing Out Lead Paint, jointly administered by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Health Organization to highlight the need for action regarding lead-containing paints and other lead sources, celebrated the 8th International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week last week. Clariant, one of the first companies to completely end the production and supply of lead-based pigments in the mid-1980s (formerly Hoechst AG, now Clariant), supported the United Nations' campaign to accelerate the process of globally and progressively phasing out the use of lead-containing paints through regulatory and legal measures. To achieve this goal, Clariant supports the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), a global policy framework hosted by the UN Environment Programme that aims to take steps to protect human health and the environment from unsound management of chemicals and waste, including providing early planning support on chemical management in the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. John Dunne, Head of Clariant's Pigments Business Unit, stated: "Currently, only 77 countries have legally binding control mechanisms on the production, import and sale of lead-containing paints. This situation means that lead-containing paints are still permitted in a significant number of countries, which creates the risk of continuous exposure of children and workers to lead in the future. For this reason, we believe that the project 'Global best practices on chemical policy matters of concern under the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management' conducted by SAICM/Global Environment Facility is an important initiative that should be supported by sustainable and forward-looking companies."