Regulatory Doug Raymond Issues Raymond Regulatory Resources www.aeropres.com www.inhalant.org www.coster.com www.dscontainers.com www.diversifiedcpc.com www.ikimfg.com www.itwsexton.com www.mbc-aerosol.com www.precisepackaging.com www.terco.com 8 Spray May 2013 CARB There are changes at the California Air Resources Board (CARB). James Goldstene had been the Executive Officer at CARB since 2007 and has now moved to a new position. Richard Corey is now the new Executive Officer. If Corey’s name sounds familiar, it should. He was at one time the Chief of the Stationary Source Division that was responsible for Consumer Products. Most recently, Corey was Deputy Executive Officer under Goldstene. He is familiar with the challenges of Consumer Products; we look forward to working with him in his new position. CARB Rulemaking CARB is in the process of a rulemaking. Aerosol Coatings and Aerosol Adhesives are the categories being targeted for reductions in the volatile organic compound (VOC) limits. For Aerosol Coatings that are being regulated by Reactivity limits, the proposed maximum incremental reactivity (MIR) limits are extremely low for the general categories. These General categories are where the bulk of the VOC emissions are present. The Specialty categories will be capped for their MIR limits due to the low amount of emissions. Industry and the staff are working on developing a reasonable, or at least technologically feasible, MIR limit for the General Coating categories. In addition, some new Specialty categories were added. When this rule making is adopted, all aerosol coatings will be regulated. What this means is that if your product meets the definition of an aerosol coating and is not specifically exempt from the rule, then the product needs to be placed into a category. This is a new twist to the rule, which was CARB’s intent all along, but now the wording is in place to enforce this concept. Therefore, make sure your products label reflect the proper category they are intended to be regulated in. Another issue for Aerosol Coatings is the question of when the new MIR values (from Oct. 2, 2010) will be used? Industry is requesting that the MIR values be available for use on the day of adoption. Aerosol Adhesives proposed VOC limits are very low mass-based limits. The amounts of VOC reductions from these categories is very low. Industry needs to work with CARB to determine if these limits are technologically feasible. Currently, the complying market share is extremely low for these categories. In addition to the above areas of concern, remember the following: • The LVP-VOC issue. CARB has proposed regulating a couple of categories that would remove the LVP-VOC provision. Currently, CARB is proposing a study to research LVPs. On March 21, 2013, industry members supported this research study. Industries position is that no category should have the LVP-VOC provision removed, until the research is finished. Remember, if it is not your category now it may be in the future. • HFO 1234ze is under consideration for VOC exemption. The compound is VOC exempt from the EPA. Industry is supporting a VOC exemption. • Some category definitions are being changed, especially in the coatings regulation. Review these changes to see how they affect your products. • We need category definitions clarified! Now is the time to request changes from CARB. A workshop was held on April 26 and is likely be the last one. The Board Hearing for this rulemaking is scheduled for July 26, 2013. continued on p. 61
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