DIY use of antifouling paints: more surveys launched

Laura Hodgetts
Antifouling
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The British Coatings Federation (BCF) Marine Coatings Group has followed up on its successful survey for boat owners on the DIY use of antifouling (AF) paints by launching three additional surveys on the topic, aimed at professional applicators, boatyard managers/owners and chandlers.

The surveys are designed to better understand the current use of antifouling paints by DIY users, and to raise their awareness over the possibility that authorities may decide to restrict the application and use of AF paints to strictly professional applicators and organisations.

More then 800 submissions have been made in response to the original survey, indicating the level of interest regarding this issue and the concerns from the leisure boating sector in general.

Surveys can be accessed, for completion by the 30 November, as follows:

* Professional applicators: www.surveymonkey.com/r/NXLH5FN

* Boat yard managers: www.surveymonkey.com/r/6BV6DBC

* Chandlers: www.surveymonkey.com/r/6BLGZ9M

The original survey mentioned for boat owners/DIY applicators remains open until the 30th November too:

* Boat owners/DIY applicators: www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPNB6NW

Gareth Prowse, who is the UK Regulatory Affairs Manager at AkzoNobel Felling, with responsibility for the International Paint branded marine coatings, and also Chair of BCF’s Marine Coatings Group said: ‘The BCF are trying to generate data to better understand how people use AF Paints and what protective equipment they do use when painting. We’ve had some minor criticisms of scaremongering in response to the first survey, when in reality we’re not.’

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Gareth added: ‘The regulations are becoming much stricter than they have been. Our concern is that we could end up withdrawing products that can and are used safely because of the risk assessment being too conservative due to a lack of data, rather than genuine risk.’