The meeting was attended by a total of 12 group representatives and 7 PRA staff. Various disciplines were represented.
Apologies for absence were received from:
The welcome was given by Richard Holman, Head of Research at PRA
The minutes from the Florida Meeting were accepted and any matters arising were discussed as appropriate during the meeting.
Peter Askew (IMSL) discussed the progress of the OECD process to review and harmonize relevant testing for treated articles (which encompasses 'hygienic coatings'). Definitions, examples of treated articles, and history and timescale of the programme of work were outlined. (IMSL has been appointed as the contractor for this).
Critical test method parameters were discussed as were future needs with regard to test methodology. Objectives are to develop harmonized test methods and relevant performance standards. A tiered approach is proposed . Quantitative data will be required to support label claims.
It was queried as to who would be responsible for the environmental issues involved. This would be down to the individual member state regulators.
Bob Springle (PRA) discussed the draft protocol on the application of existing standards to testing of conventional properties for hygienic coatings. The draft itself was circulated to SIG members prior to the meeting for consideration and comment. The presentation covered discussion on the different types of hygienic coatings, the scope of the draft, classification by end use, coating properties for testing, general methods of testing, hygienic coatings in the food industry and performance criteria.
Some discussion arose concerning tests for migration of additives, and for hand contact evaluation.
It was agreed that this was an opportunity for the group to put forward a framework for a proposed industrial standard. However funding may be a limiting factor in how much further this can be taken, unless an industry group can be assembled to fund the work.
Richard Holman (PRA) put forward the proposals for TESHA 2. This is planned as an extension to PRA's project on hygienic coatings which is nearing completion, having been running for 2 years. Members interested in supporting the project (which will be funded by industry) are asked to contact Bob Springle.
David Sykes (PRA) gave an overview of the plans for the next Hygienic Coatings and Surfaces Conference. Full details of date and venue will be published on the website when available.
It was proposed that the steering committee should be disbanded as it appeared to be unnecessary. It was agreed that the Group should continue with a non-PRA chairman (Peter Askew) to give it an independent focus. With the departure of Ken Johns, Janet Saraty has agreed to take over the group's administration.
Anne Smith queried as to what extent the website was looked at. Members agreed that it was useful.
The Discussion Board is under used (only 5 postings in about 18 months). Apparently this is not an uncommon situation. It is often difficult to get people involved even where membership is much larger than this Group. It was suggested that the Discussion Board should be open to everybody and not just members of the SIG.
A meeting of the SIG will be called in January if there are issues to discuss.
Mo Misra (SDC Coatings) commented on how useful he found the meetings.
It was agreed that the draft standard on testing conventional coating properties should be put out to industry (via SIG members) for input and comment. It was suggested that a first tier 'check list' document which took users to tests relevant and consistent with their label claims, would be a useful approach to the function of the proposed industry standard.
Bob Springle is to contact Claudio Pagella who is working on a similar Italian standard (for the food industry).
To progress this further a committee will be required analogous to the committees formed to develop national, European and international standards comprising industry representatives.
In order to link the development of agreed test data to the standard's development process, it was proposed that PRA initiate a member-funded research project to test simultaneously several commercial (and experimental) hygienic coatings according to their conventional properties. This would provide information (to be kept confidential) on how these products ranked within the general market. Funding would be provided by the suppliers of the hygienic coatings formulations, who would also comprise members of the standards committee. Richard Holman is to draw up a proposal.
Richard Holman thanked the participants for their valuable contribution to the discussion and closed the meeting.