CEPE emphasises that smarter regulation is essential for driving innovation, sustainability and growth in Europe’s paints and coatings sector.
The European Council of the Paint, Printing Ink, and Artists’ Colours Industry (CEPE) has unveiled a new initiative aimed at simplifying EU regulations in order to strengthen industrial competitiveness. Representing a sector that employs around 100,000 people across Europe, CEPE warns that the mounting regulatory burden is hindering innovation and deterring investment.
“Excessive and fast-changing rules are making it harder for our industry to stay competitive. We fully support Europe’s high standards and policy goals —but achieving them requires smarter, more streamlined legislation. Our proposal would be a key contributor to the European Commission’s commitment to cut administrative burdens by at least 25%,” has stated CEPE Managing Director Christel Davidson.
In its 19-point proposal, CEPE calls for more streamlined procedures, improved use of digital tools, and a more pragmatic, proportionate approach to regulation. The organisation argues that such reforms would help foster a more innovative, agile, and sustainable European industry—while continuing to uphold the highest standards for health and environmental protection.
The document outlines targeted recommendations for key legislation, including REACH and CLP. Suggested measures include adjusting compliance deadlines for downstream users dependent on supplier data, digitalising the submission of Safety Data Sheets with QR-code-enabled distribution, and simplifying the Poison Centre Notification process. CEPE also urges reform of the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), highlighting its current limitations as a barrier to innovation in the development of new biocides.
“Our message is clear: we are not asking for deregulation, we are asking for smart, efficient regulation. The future of the paints, printing inks sector, its supply-chain, and Europe’s broader industrial competitiveness, depends on it,” has added Christel Davidson.