NASF REPORT: NASF Collaborates with Canadian Finishers

NASF was in Toronto, Canada, in November to coordinate with Canadian finishing industry leaders and regulatory officials from Ottawa and Ontario. The Canadian Association of Surface Finishers (CASF) is working with NASF to revitalize and strengthen the North American effort to more effectively promote and advocate the interests of the industry.

The CASF “Forum” conference in Toronto—now revitalized as a discussion between Canadian finishing industry representatives and regulatory officials—provided an informative overview of compliance issues and emerging regulatory issues.

Christian Richter gave a presentation on behalf of NASF on “Global Surface Finishing Trends” and discussed PFOS requirements for mist suppressants, new chromium and nickel regulatory developments and the future of sustainability for the finishing industry. Dr. Keith Legg, recent chairman of the NASF Technology Advisory Committee, reviewed the European Union REACH chemicals issue, and provided a perspective on alternatives to key finishes.

After the Forum, Mike Kuntz of NASF member Kuntz Electroplating, representing CASF, hosted Richter for a plant tour.

Regulatory Threat: NASF coordinating with Nickel Institute on nickel salts, metals data.
Recent developments in the European Union under the REACH chemicals regime are important for both the U.S. and the global surface coatings industry. In light of new questions from regulators regarding the importance of nickel finishes in the manufacturing value chain, the Nickel Institute and NASF have teamed up to collect key new information on nickel salts and metals usage in the European Union and North American plating and finishing sector. The first use of total coatings nickel use data will be for the so-called “socio-economic analysis” for the REACH framework.
Based on data collection efforts underway, a report scheduled for interim completion in December will discuss why various finishing end-uses are important, whether there are appropriate alternatives, and the consequences of being unable to supply various end-uses at an acceptable cost.

Beyond nickel metal, the study will include the following nickel salts:
Nickel acetate
Nickel dichloride
Nickel dihydroxide
Nickel dinitrate
Nickel hydroxycarbonate
Nickel monoxide
Nickel sulfamate
Nickel sulphate