BCF Supports International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week of Action

The British Coatings Federation (BCF) is joining NGOs, paint trade associations, and paint companies around the world in promoting the international lead poisoning prevention week of action, which runs from October 23-29.

Tom Bowtell, CEO of the BCF commented “Events are planned in many developing countries around the world this week, mainly organised by NGOs, to raise awareness and encourage governments to take strong action to ban lead in decorative paints, where there is the risk of lead exposure to children in their homes and schools.”

As a member of the International Paint and Printing Ink Alliance, the BCF recently wrote to the United Nations (UN) to sign up as an official partner to the Lead Paint Alliance, which aims to ban lead in decorative paint in countries that do not have legislation to stop potential lead poisoning in children. The BCF has committed on behalf of its members to support industry activities to voluntarily stop the manufacture and sale of lead paint in countries where legal limits are not currently in place. The BCF has also committed to advocate for binding restrictions in countries where legal limits relating to the manufacture and sale of lead paint are not currently in place. Further, the BCF has committed that its members will not export lead containing paints that may come into contact with children.  The BCF’s letter to the UN and the guidance on the safe renovation of old painted surfaces that contain lead can be found in the lead in paint section of the BCF’s website www.coatings.org.uk.