The Hygienic Coatings Special Interest Group (HCSIG) was formed prior to the first Hygienic Coatings Congress, which was held in Brussels in June, 2002. It is a member-based organisation, with a Steering Committee of members. More information can be found on the website, www.pra-world.com/hygienic-coatings.
There are currently no widely recognised standards for Hygienic Coatings. However, an OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation & Development) Steering Group, funded by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), has been established to develop standards for "treated articles" (e.g. a coating with anti-microbial additives), where the manufacturer wishes to claim protection relating to public health. Invitations to join this Steering Group were issued 18 months ago. Both the Paints Group and Plastics Group of IBRG (International Biodeterioration Research Group) are represented, together with national competent bodies (for example, HSE in the UK). There is currently no representation from the coatings industry. This programme is expected to last for at least 18 months. The end result is expected to be a regulation that for a manufacturer of a treated article to claim public health benefits, he must be able to demonstrate efficacy according to an agreed test protocol. It was agreed that Peter Askew will propose to the Chairman of the OECD group that input on Hygienic Surface Coatings be supplied via the HCSIG. The outcome will be posted on the HGSIG website.
One possible future role of the HCSIG would be for the PRA, with the assistance of members, to develop a proposed set of industry guidelines for selecting a suitable hygienic coating regarding paint properties, which would complement the standard being developed by the OECD Steering Group regarding anti-microbial properties. The process for developing a set of guidelines would consist of developing definitions, classification, property requirements, and test methods (relating to existing standards).
The Chairman made an eloquent appeal for companies who are currently not members of the HCSIG to join up. This would have two direct benefits:
- Increase the influence of any representation made by the HCSIG to the OECD Steering Group regarding the development of anti-microbial test protocols and standards.
- Provide the finance for the PRA to develop the paint performance guidelines as described above.
Details of membership fees and the membership benefits and services package can be found on the website.
The next meeting of the HCSIG steering committee is tentatively scheduled for April at the PRA location in the UK. Further details will be posted when available on the website. The purpose of the meeting in April will be to:
- review the status of the OECD initiative re anti-microbial testing and input from the HCSIG
- review first draft guidelines of required paint performance (to be circulated approx. 2 weeks prior to the meeting).