About ESIG
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Become a member
If your company is a solvent producer, consider becoming an ESIG member. Contact us anytime to learn about the benefits of membership and start an application.
Our Structure
ESIG is a joint activity of the European manufacturers of hydrocarbon and oxygenated solvents.
Our primary objective is to equip our members with the necessary advice and guidance to ensure compliance with the most up-to-date legislation. Simultaneously, we encourage our members to share ESIG’s insights and recommendations with all stakeholders involved in the use or handling of their solvent products. Our overarching goal is to establish industry positioning and ensure that the regulatory framework pertaining to the manufacturing, storage, distribution, and usage of these solvents is rooted in sound science and best practices.
Organigram
General Assembly
The General Assembly takes place once a year. It brings together all our members to discuss and exchange the work programmes of all the groups.
Working structure
The Steering Committee serves as the operational lead within ESIG. Several working groups focus on specific topics, ranging from creating and promoting communication materials to overseeing the Solvents VOC emission inventories. They also work on protecting health, safety, and the environment in solvent usage by contributing to the solvents@work materials.
Our vision & mission
Our vision
To be seen as the point of reference for the safe and sustainable use of solvents, enabling science-based decision-making for stakeholders and regulators alike |
Our mission
 Promote the safe and sustainable use of solvents |
Provide data for the regulatory framework relevant to the manufacture, storage, distribution and application of solvents to be based on sound science and best practice |
Provide advice and guidance across the value chain to comply with the latest legislation |
Solvents in the scope of ESIG
ESIG only deals with ‘organic’ solvents, specifically oxygenated and hydrocarbon varieties. These two types are the most commonly used in Europe. Halogenated solvents consist of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, which fall outside of ESIG’s mission.
Hydrocarbon solvents
are typically used in applications where there is low solvency power and separation from water is required. They include substances like paraffinic, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.
Oxygenated solvents
are used when high solvency power is needed. They include substances like alcohols, ketones, esters, and glycol ethers. They can also be used in water-based formulations such as detergents and water-based paints.
ESVOC Coordination Group
ESVOC, the European Solvents Downstream User Coordination Group (originally European Solvents Volatile Organic Compounds Coordination Group) is a unique platform that brings together manufacturers and their downstream users trade associations to facilitate the implementation of relevant existing legislation. It currently consists of representatives of more than 30 different associations that meet once a year to exchange views, review the work programme and define strategies.
In addition, two sub-working groups provide advice and exchange best practices in different areas. One of them deals with industrial applications covered by the BREF Surface Treatment using Organic Solvents (STS). The other one deals with professional and consumer applications and addresses topics such as indoor air quality and secondary organic aerosol formation.
Our members
Become a member
If your company is a solvent producer, consider becoming an ESIG member. Contact us anytime to learn about the benefits of membership and start an application.
ESIG secretariat
ESIG is run by a secretariat from our headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. We work closely with our colleagues at the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic).