Reading a well known trade magazine recently that is aimed at the finishing industry, i found it remarkable to find three separate companies who portrayed themselves as experts, giving incorrect advice on matters of parts degreasing. I always have a problem with the term expert, favouring the term specialist as more appropriate, yet found even this claim wanting.

Dealing with health and safety and issues of environment the advice being given was not just misleading, it was downright irresponsible.

Users of solvents for vapour degreasing are in need of coming to terms with issues relating to the replacement of Carcinogens and responsibilities created by the Solvent Emissions Directive.

Even allowing for sincerity in what was said, the information was not factual and asked people to take steps that were not required, in the main to promote sales through fears.

It is never helpful to portray the problem without an accurate solution. Some of the companies giving misleading information were large companies who might be trusted based on their prominence.
It struck me that people need to brush up on regulation to protect themselves from truth decay!

Regulation runs to time tables. True, interpretation is at times unclear. Given that the Solvent Emissions Directive has been with us since 1999 with some targets set for October 2007, solvent users should validate what they are told rather than relying on the word of inexperienced suppliers.

Of particular note the Solvent Emissions Directive determines that a product reclassified after 29th March 1999 gains a revised date for compliance of 6 years. This means a product that becomes subject to reclassification in 2005 has a compliance date of 2011, not 2007 as many companies wrongly indicate.
Time flies but it makes sense to be your own navigator, otherwise the place you will find yourself will be someone elses destination which could damage your business.

If you are involved in manufacturing processes or deal with health and safety legislation it is best to assume nothing and seek written confirmation of the advice you receive which you intend to act on.