Global Cooperation in the CASE Industry
World Coatings Council Focused on Alignment
While CPCA’s advocacy activities are mostly focused on Canadian issues, it is actively engaged with its international counterparts to monitor developments in other countries, which may have an impact on Canadian industry. CPCA participates in global initiatives to advance the industry and provide leadership in developing sustainable policies, regulations and further the advance of the paint and coatings industry in those countries. These international initiatives are coordinated through the World Coatings Council, formerly the International Paint and Print Ink Council (IPPIC). of which CPCA is an active and founding member.
WCC by the Numbers
Allied Associations
Key Initiatives
Industry Resources
A Coalition for Coatings
All 15 Association Members of the World Coatings Council collaborate together in support of the global coatings community and industry.
History of the World Coatings Council
Over the last several years, common issues facing the paint and printing ink industries on a global level have increased significantly. In 1992, in an attempt to improve communication and to coordinate industry policy on matters of international concern, the International Paint and Printing Ink Council was formed (IPPIC). Now called the WCC, it continues to a seek coordination of industrial policy on international issues, while fully considering implications for each country. In addition to having status at various international forums such as the International Maritime Organization, in 2005 WCC was granted NGO status from the United Nations Economic and Social Council. As part of that forum it continues to highlight international relevant issues of concern to the UN and its governing body.
The WCC Organization
Members of WCC include the American Coatings Association (ACA), Australian Paint Manufacturers’ Federation (APMF), the Brazilian Paint Manufacturers Association (ABRAFATI), British Coatings Federation (BCF), Canadian Paint and Coatings Association (CPCA), European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink and Artists‘ Colours Industry (CEPE), China National Coatings Industry Association (CNCIA), the French Paints, Printing Inks, Artist Colours and Adhesives Association(FIPEC), German Paint Industry Association (VdL), Indian Paint Association (IPA), Japan Paint Manufacturers Association (JPMA), Mexican Paint and Printing Ink Manufacturers’ Association (ANAFAPYT), New Zealand Paint Manufacturers Association (NZPMA), South African Paint Manufacturers Association (SAPMA), and the Association of the Paint Industry in Turkey (BOSAD).
Current WCC Initiatives
To ensure consistency between the regulatory systems in every country and every mode for the transportation of dangerous goods, the United Nations developed mechanisms for the harmonization of transport conditions in all modes of transport (TDG). This harmonization occurs in the Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCETDG). The WCC delegation includes the transport staff of CEPE and the WCC.
In the 1990s, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe embarked on a journey to design a universal chemical classification system for the entire world. WCC continues to send at least one representative to the UNSCEGHS Meetings held twice annually in Geneva, Switzerland. WCC submits white papers to support its member associations’ viewpoints on certain technical issues before the UNSCEGHS. Input from WCC representatives has been well-received by the UNSCEGHS.
Increasingly, the use of plastic materials is coming under increasing scrutiny by government environmental agencies and academic researchers around the world. The paint industry stresses that all known mitigating factors must be considered in any effort to quantify the potential release of microplastics from products. Recent substantive studies on the issue of microplastics note that paint is not implicated in the release of microplastics into the environment. The paint industry stands ready to further advance its understanding of the issue and its ongoing, proven commitment to product stewardship.
Titanium dioxide (TiO2), universally used as a white pigment incorporated into paint and a variety of other products, remains under consideration by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). WCC and its members provided the ECHA RAC with published studies and technical information of the industry’s longstanding safe use of TiO2 in paint.
The IMO is focused on key approaches to protect the biofouling of the more than 300,000 ocean-going vessels shipping products around the world daily. These important IMO Guidelines were developed and published by WCC’s Antifouling Coatings Committee, in partnership with the Institute of Marine Science Engineering and Technology (IMarEST).
WCC is a formal contributor to the Lead Paint Alliance (LPA, formerly the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint), an organization established under the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
Working groups continue to focus on the Responsible Mica Initiative (RMI) and sit on the RMI Board of Directors.