Diisocyanates are used in a wide range of industries and applications, including the manufacture of polyurethane plastics. Many diisocyanates are sensitising and can cause conditions such as severe asthma to persons who are exposed to these substances at work.

Restriction decision on diisocyanates

The use of some chemicals may pose risks to humans or the environment. Chemicals regulation in the European Union enables the enactment of prohibitions or restrictions in such situations.

The European Commission has decided on a training requirement for diisocyanates for industrial and professional use. The restriction on diisocyanates and its justification are set out in Commission Regulation (EU) 2020/1149, which adds the restriction to Annex XVII, entry 74 of the REACH Regulation ((EU) 1907/2006).

Diisocyanates regulated by REACH

The REACH restriction defines diisocyanates as follows: O=C=N–R–N=C=O. In this definition, R is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon unit of unspecified length. The training requirement in REACH concerns diisocyanates with a concentration of over 0.1% by weight.

Below are examples of diisocyanates subject to REACH training requirements:

• MDI Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate
• TDI Toluene diisocyanate
• HDI 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate
• IPDI Isophorone diisocyanate
• NDI 1,5-naphthylene diisocyanate

Requirements set for the training

The REACH restriction imposes various requirements on the content of the training depending on the way a chemical is used. The restriction describes in detail what the training must include. The REACH Regulation further states that “Such training shall be conducted by an expert on occupational safety and health with competence acquired by relevant vocational training.”

Questions and answers about the training