Product Stewardship
ESIG’s Practical Guide to Safer Respiratory Protection!
On 9th July, the European Solvents Industry Group (ESIG) and the European Safety Federation (ESF) released an updated Best Practice Guideline: “Respiratory Protection Selection and Use – Guide for Solvents.” This practical guide supports manufacturers, safety professionals, and users in industry and trade in selecting and applying the right respiratory protective equipment when working with solvents.
Clearly structured and aligned with current regulations, the guideline covers:
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- Selection and classification of respiratory protective devices (RPDs)
- Filter types and protection levels
- Face fit testing and its importance
- Maintenance, cleaning, and user training
The guide emphasizes that respiratory protection should only be used after a thorough risk assessment and as a supplementary safety measure. It provides actionable, regulation-compliant advice to help ensure safe and effective use of RPDs in real-world conditions.
For more information and to download the guideline, visit www.esig.org or eu-esf.org.
Updated Safety Films: Solvents & Static Electricity – available in six languages
⚡ Ever wondered how a tiny spark of static electricity can ignite a fire?
On 9th October, ESIG and the Solvents Industry Association (SIA) released the updated UK two-parts short film “Solvents & Static Electricity Safety.” This essential resource is aimed at everyone handling solvents or flammable liquids and explains, in a clear and practical way, how static electricity builds up and why it poses a risk in industrial environments.
The film raises awareness of the dangers associated with solvents and provides concrete recommendations for safer, more responsible handling in practice.
Part 1: Understand how static electricity builds up and why it can be a risk in industrial environments. – illustrates how static electricity can accumulate during processes like transferring, mixing, or pumping solvents, and why this can be a serious hazard in explosive atmospheres.
Part 2: Discover practical steps to eliminate the risks of static discharge in flammable atmospheres. – presents practical measures to prevent ignition sources—covering grounding, equipotential bonding, appropriate protective equipment, and regular safety checks.
NEW !!! End of November, the translated versions were released in multiple languages: French, German, Greek, Italian & Spanish
Stay tuned for the next updated film: Solvents and IBCs !!!
ESIG & SIA ad-hoc technical task force are currently reviewing and updating the script of the new Solvents and IBCs film which should be launched in 2026.