Number
186-EN
Section
General Section
Use
Sector
General manufacturing, e.g. machinery, equipment, vehicles, other transport equipment
Function
Cleaning agent
Process
Other
Product category
washing ad cleaning products
Application
Glas cleaning
Abstract
The Spanish branch of the company BSH implemented a health and safety management system for chemical products in the manufacture of electric home appliances to avoid the use of toxic chemicals in the manufacturing and cleaning process. The inclusion of this methodology in the process of recognition of chemical product allowed the substitution of some highly hazardous chemicals. For example, methanol for glass cleaning was substituted by a conventional glass cleaner.
Substituted substances
Methanol
CAS No. 67-56-1 EC No. 200-659-6 Index No. 603-001-00-X
Chemical group
Alcohols
Classification: hazard statements
H225 Highly flammable liquid and vapour
H331 Toxic if inhaled
H311 Toxic in contact with skin
H301 Toxic if swallowed
H370 Causes damage to organs
Other adverse effects
The substance is: neurotoxic cat. 4 (Vela et al.) as listed in the Substance Database according to SUBSPORT Screening Criteria (SDSC).
Reliability of information
Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication
Reason substitution
other toxic effects
Hazard Assessment
Substance to be substituted: Methanol is a Substance of very high concern and is included on the REACH restriction list, according to Article 73 of Regulation (EG) No. 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Alternative substances: Potassium hydroxide is not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database. Propane-1,2-diol and sodium dodecyl sulphate are not listed in the SUBSPORTplus Database and have no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).
Description of Substitution
The company BSHE set up a new health and safety management system for chemical products during the manufacturing process. Authorized dealers who received an order for a product that is not listed as authorized, must request the safety data sheets from the supplier and send it to the Environmental Protection Management for authorization. If the product represents a serious environmental/health hazard, the user is required to find safer alternatives: if the alternatives are not technicallyor economically viable, the Environmental Protection Management will authorize its use provided that all the necessary protection measures are implemented to avoid human/environmental harm during transport, storage and use. Since 2005 the Columns Model has been included in the procedures for the official approval of chemical products by the German Institute of Health and Safety Associations (BGIA - Berufsgenossenschaftliches Institut für Arbeitssicherheit). The Columns Model classifies chemicals in 5 categories depending on their environmental and health effects. This method allows the reduction of the number of highly hazardous substances used in industrial processes whenever safer alternatives are available. Once the most hazardous products are identified, safer and viable alternatives are sought. In 2006 a study of all chemical products in use (adhesives, insecticides, air freshener, degreasers, detergents, solvents, oils and paints) was carried out in all the companies of the group BSHE Action focused on two basic levels: External: Suppliers of new lines of the product were contacted and a series of viability tests were carried out in the different facilities. Internal: Multiple chemical products used in the company were analysed in order to select less hazardous chemicals for the same use. In 2007 a report was filed with proposals for the substitution of various hazardous products by safer alternatives. Substitution was eventually implemented. One of the substances that were substituted after introducing this methodology was methanol for glass cleaning. Due to its neurotoxic effects, the company decided to substitute the methanol by a conventional glass cleaner based on potassium hydroxide, propylene glycol and a surfactant substance. All BSH plants in Spain have included this methodology in their authorization processes. The procedure prevents the use of hazardous chemicals in the plants, supports actions to improve health and safety and provide indicators to measure preventive activity. The implemented measures are also early actions to comply with the requirements of REACH regulation.
Case/substitution evaluation
This experience is interesting because it introduces a systematic method, which allow the company to identify and eliminate chemical risks.
State of implementation
In use
Date and place of implementation
2006
Enterprise using the alternative
Type of information supplier
User
Contact
See "enterprise using the alternative".
Date, reviewed
November 26, 2021