DE - Explanation of the limitations and safe use of polyurethane products by professional and industrial users from 24 August 2023

Dear business partners and professional | industrial users of Den Braven polyurethane products,

Due to new developments in European legislation, we would like to draw your attention to the restrictions concerning the safe use of diisocyanates by professional and industrial users. We would like to guide you through the issue so that you can understand it more easily. We will also show you where to take the relevant professional training on the safe use of diisocyanates.

The deadline for compliance is 24 August 2023.

Diisocyanates are substances that have an irritating effect on the respiratory tract and skin on contact. They are used in a wide range of industries and applications, primarily to produce polyurethane materials such as foams, sealants, adhesives or coatings. The most common form of exposure is inhalation of vapours and direct contact with unprotected skin of the applicator. Airborne concentrations can be expected when working with polyurethane compounds, especially in combination with not very effective ventilation.
As of 2020, diisocyanates are already included in the list of restricted substances. The transitional period for the implementation of measures for their treatment ends in 2023. The aim of EU Regulation 2020/1149 is to protect health and reduce health risks in the application by professional | industrial workers using products containing diisocyanates in a mixture in concentrations above 0.1%. From 24 August 2023, all workers in establishments where there is a risk of exposure to the substance are required to undergo training for the safe use of diisocyanates.

Yes, there are. In the case of sealants and adhesives, it is easy to switch to alternatives in the form of MS polymers. Typical representatives are Mamut glue HIGH TACK or Mamut Glue CRYSTAL. Industrial floor sealers will appreciate MS SEAL 50 Hybrid Floor Sealer or MS SEAL 25 Hybrid Floor Sealer.
If you decide to switch to new materials, no safety training is required. In addition, MS polymers have many other advantages and benefits over polyurethanes that would warrant another separate article. Read more HERE.

In the area of polyurethane foams, alternatives are not yet available. In this case, training is required. Instructions on how to start a training program can be found below.

Courses and training on safeusediisocyanates.eu are paid, but thanks to our partnership with Den Braven you can get the training you need, officially under the code 048, for professional and industrial consumers absolutely free of charge. For example, if you are a construction worker or a worker applying adhesives and sealants in an industrial environment, this voucher is for you.

Visit the training site
Go to https://safeusediisocyanates.eu/ or click on the green „OPEN TRAINING“ button at the bottom of the page. But before you do, pay attention to the other points in the instructions. We’ll describe what training to choose and how to enroll in it.

Note: At the time of publishing this post, only a limited number of language versions are available and our instructions are based on the English version.

Click on the SELF E-LEARNING button
When you open the registration portal, click on the very first button on the page that says „SELF E-LEARNING“. This is the first blue rectangle below the opening image.

Select the type of training
On the next page you will see a menu of different types of training. In the very first paragraph titled Book a Self-eLearning you will find a blue button that says „BOOK A WEB-BASED TRAINING“. Click on it and continue to the next step.

Select the focus of the course
On this page, select the second tile with the picture of PU foam, sealant and adhesive under the title „ADHESIVES AND SEALANTS“ by clicking on it. If the tile is correctly labeled, a blue dot will appear in the upper right corner of the tile.

Scroll all the way down the page and click on the specific course that applies to your focus. Overwhelmingly, this will be „048 Professional Application of adhesives and sealants / Small packaging at ambient temperature“. The page will submit the information and display the next step.

Confirm your registration
Click on the „REGISTER“ button at the top of the page and fill in all the identification information in the form provided. Do not forget to agree to the processing of personal data and terms and conditions at the bottom. Then just click on the „NEXT“ button.

Enter the discount code and get free training
At this step of the order you are asked to pay for the training. Simply copy the Den Braven discount coupon code into the box below the VOUCHER label. Once you click anywhere outside the input box, you may notice that the total price of the training has changed to 0 EUR.

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Continue to the training
Continue to the training by clicking the blue „NEXT“ button and on the next page confirm your order by clicking „CONFIRM AND CHECK OUT“.

Take the webinar
The system will now guide you through training on the safe use of diisocyanates. After completing the webinar, you will be prompted by the system to answer test questions. As proof of passing the test, you will receive a certificate that will be sent to the email address you provided during registration.

The validity of the certificate is limited to five years, and the system will prompt you to renew it well in advance. You will again be sent an e-mail with the invitation to complete the test again.

It is, of course, mandatory for all workers who apply PU foams, sealants, adhesives or coatings with a diisocyanate content in the mixture of more than 0.1%. However, we recommend that this webinar and the subsequent test be taken by other workers who may work with products containing diisocyanates, such as PU foams, adhesives and sealants, even occasionally. For example, development workers, promoters or supervisors of these workers.

Restriction of diisocyanates under Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1149 – SCHP CR
https://www.schp.cz/info/omezeni-diisokyanatu-podle-narizeni-komise-eu-2020-1149
PU Training :: Feica
https://www.feica.eu/our-projects/safe-use-diisocyanates
PUinfo :: Feica
https://www.feica.eu/PUinfo