Written on: October 1, 2018 by Steve Caldeira
The HCPA Aerosol Division has covered a lot of ground in the last few months, including a joint event with the Midwest Aerosol Association; I also recently spoke at the Aerosol & Dispensing Forum in New York. As we gear up for the in-person meeting of the Aerosol Division at the HCPA Annual Meeting in December, below is a round-up of recent developments that aerosol executives should be aware of, including several initiatives that will have major impacts in the future.
Defending the Package
Your Voice in the Trade War
Since the first announcement of potential steel and aluminum tariffs back in March, HCPA has been proactively and aggressively advocating against tariffs. From calling on President Trump to working with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, HCPA is on the front lines for the aerosol industry.
Aerosols as Universal Waste
HCPA’s long-term and collaborative work on aerosol disposal has resulted in a new proposal from The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reclassify aerosol cans as universal waste. We expect that the final rule will be released in September of 2019, going into effect in late February or early March of 2020.
Working with CARB on VOCs
HCPA is leading the industry in working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on its Preliminary Draft Consumer Product Survey Data, which will directly affect the future of volatile organic compound (VOC) limits and regulations. The HCPA Air Quality Committee worked together to review 491 product categories of data, identified potential issues and responded to CARB with comments.
Positioning on HFCs
HCPA has acted as the voice of the industry in expressing concerns on hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) regulation to the media, at multiple EPA meetings and directly to the Director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs (OAP) Stratospheric Protection Division.
Harmonization of Definitions
HCPA is working to align the definition of an aerosol in the U.S. across all relevant regulations, including the universal waste proposal and UN definitions.
Advocating for Innovation
HCPA is working with stakeholders at the federal level to make it easier to bring new and innovative aerosol products to the U.S. market – many of which can already be sold in other parts of the world.
Alternatives to Water Bath Testing
HCPA is petitioning to allow for more innovative, and equally as safe, alternatives to water bath testing. Elevating this issue within the U.S. Dept. of Transportation (DOT) opens the door for alternative test methods that are more efficient, cost-effective, sustainable and can be tailored for a specific product or process while meeting or exceeding safety requirements.
Shipping Flammable Plastic Aerosols
HCPA is advocating allowing for limited quantities of flammable products in plastic aerosol containers in the U.S, and as we go to print, it appears that the goal is within reach. Watch for breaking news on this issue.
Expanding Allowed Resins for Plastic Aerosol Containers
Currently, DOT only allows four plastic resins to be used in manufacturing plastic aerosols. HCPA is working to remove that restriction.
Consumer Trust: The HCPA Air Care Summit
The HCPA Air Care Summit on May 18, 2018 gathered medical, scientific and industry experts to share and assess the science behind air fresheners, a topic of importance for aerosol suppliers and manufacturers.
This group is working on a larger effort to proactively build consumer trust in air care products (and their ingredients) and effectively educate consumers, workers and the media about the benefits of these products—many of which are aerosols.
The HCPA Air Care Division Reputation Task Force is continuing its efforts and hopes to work collaboratively with other divisions, including Aerosol.
MAA and HCPA Jointly Host Aerosol Interchange
The HCPA Aerosol Division always enjoys collaborating with their colleagues at regional aerosol associations, an example being the recent Midwest Aerosol Association (MAA) event.
Jointly hosted with HCPA, the MAA annual networking golf tournament was paired with a day of interactive educational sessions that challenged preconceived notions of consumer attitudes towards aerosols, and used facilitated strategic planning to help attendees refocus on big picture goals for both their organizations and the industry as a whole.
Sessions also covered market trends, supply chain analytics, corporate sustainability, patent law and HCPA’s Propellant Safety Seminar capped off the event.
As a whole, HCPA represents a wide range of products, from household cleaners and air fresheners to commercial disinfectants and pest control, and many of these products use aerosol technology. We’re all a part of the larger conversation about fighting misinformation and building consumer trust in our ingredients, products and brands. The HCPA Aerosol Division is currently planning its agenda and program for the HCPA Annual Meeting; contact ngeorges@thehcpa.org for more information. SPRAY
