FOCUS: Solvents and ESIG
This Factsheet gives an overview of what solvents are, which solvents are in ESIG’s portfolio, for which applications they are used and how they are regulated in the EU.
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Publications
ESIG and the solvents industry
This Factsheet explains the role of the European Solvents Industry Group (ESIG).
Overview “Solvents at Work”
The Solvents@Work campaign is part of our continuous effort to encourage responsible and safe handling of solvents. This document gives you an overview of all the tools (videos, posters, guidelines etc.) that we have developed to help downstream users comply with the highest level of health, safety and environmental standards.
Solvents Generic Exposure Scenarios (GES) under REACH
ESIG published an article in the June 2019 edition of the European Coatings Journal on its Generic Exposure Scenarios (GES), which are THE solvents industry standard in Europe today to ensure REACH compliance through the supply chain.
Solvents: one word, many solutions
Solvents are an invaluable solution for industries that range from pharmaceuticals and microelectronics to domestic cleaning, personal care and printing. Find out the variety of ways solvents are present in and enhance our everyday lives.
Measuring solvent vapour concentrations in the work environment
Measuring exposure to solvent vapours is key to understand whether the controls you have in place are sufficient to protect workers’ health. Learn about the available techniques and how to design effective measurement programmes for your workplace.
Solvent Transfer—Efficiency of Risk Management Measures
This paper determines what airborne protection is needed to transfer volatile solvents in a workplace. The proposed measures enable to reduce the average emissions by over 90%.
What are solvents?
This Factsheet explains how solvents make it possible to process, apply, clean or separate materials.
Solvents & the environment
This fact sheet shows how the solvents industry has implemented measures to address concerns about environmental performance and has worked with industry partners, scientists and legislators to further explore the need and the means to improve air quality in a cost-effective manner.
Solvents & Ozone
This fact sheet shows what part the solvents industry plays in reducing ozone peaks and how it has substantially reduced its emissions to contribute to air quality in Europe.
Managing the health risks of solvent exposure
Learn how best to manage health risks from exposure to solvents via inhalation of vapours and contact with the skin and eyes. This guide also helps to explain the European regulations around health risk management. This resource is especially useful for SMEs.
Flammability guide
Static electricity is one of the main hazards associated with flammable solvents. Learn about the potential sources of static electricity and how to safely handle solvents in the workplace.
Solvent VOC emissions inventories
The updated ESIG Solvents VOC inventories are out now with the 2015 estimated emissions. This February 2018 technical paper shows that VOC solvents emissions in the EU have stabilized since 2018.
Calculating the vapour pressure of hydrocarbon Solvents from simple physico-chemical properties
Determining the vapour pressures for solvents with low volatility can be difficult and time-consuming. This 2002 paper by Erik Olsen explains how to use a simple calculation tool to determine whether solvents are VOCs under the definition of the EU Solvent Emissions (NEC) Directive.
Carbon content of commonly used solvents
This fact sheet shows the amount of Carbon included in some of the most commonly used solvents. The list is divided between family (Alcohols, Esters, etc.), solvent, CAS number and Carbon content (%m).
RCP for setting occupational exposure limits for hydrocarbon solvents
This paper from July 2017 provides an update on the application of the reciprocal calculation procedure (RCP) method to calculate occupational exposure levels for hydrocarbon solvents taking into account recent toxicological information and changes in regulatory requirements.
Key lessons learned from European Air Quality legislation
The objective of this position paper is to share some of the key lessons learnt from the EU air quality legislation. This May 2017 paper shows the industry’s commitment to improve air quality.
Air quality challenge in China and Asia
The objective of this technical position paper is to propose a way forward in improving (primarily Chinese) air quality by highlighting the need for accurate emissions inventories and air quality modelling. This April 2017 paper shows the industry’s commitment to improve air quality world-wide.
VOCs and Indoor Air Quality
This September 2017 technical position paper shows the industry’s commitment to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and improving indoor air quality.
EU Ecolabel
ESIG recognises that the EU Ecolabel has significant potential to promote the most sustainable products. This February 2017 paper demonstrates the industry’s continuous commitment to improve its products’ environmental footprint.
New emissions targets under NEC
ESIG is committed to working with EU institutions to improve air quality and implement the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive while preserving the competitiveness of European industry. This June 2015 paper outlines our views on the NEC review in the European Parliament.
GES application & interpretation under REACH
This May 2011 scientific paperexplores how generic exposure scenarios have been developed, applied and interpreted under REACH.
