Date: 12th March 2018
Categories: Barrettine, Products

Customer update regarding Sulfuric (Sulphuric) Acid Based Products/Drain Unblockers. 

**Important Product Stewardship Information** Please read before distribution / issuing to customers / end users

Sulfuric (sulphuric) Acid based products: Regulation change affecting distribution/sale as of 1^st July 2018. Two main points to understand as follows: 

1) As an Explosive precursor. Sulfuric Acid is currently on the Governments “Reportable Substance” list for explosive precursors but the Government has decided to move Sulfuric Acid based products above 15% concentration up from its current position to the “Regulated Substance” product list of controlled substances under The Poisons Act 1972 (Explosive Precursors) (Amendment) Regulations 2018. 

To be clear this will affect all products on the market that contain sulfuric acid at a concentration of 15% or more. To our knowledge this will affect all sulfuric acid based drain/toilet un-blockers/ cleaners. 

This will mean that products containing Sulfuric Acid at 15% concentration or more as of 1^st July 2018 will no longer be permitted to be sold to the General Public unless they hold an EPP licence (Explosive precursor & poison licence). For further information please go to the following link: www.gov.uk/government/publications/supplying-explosives-precursors/supplying-explosives-precursors-and-poison

The Product affected in our range is Knock Out Toilet & Drain Unblocker. Due to the hazardous nature of the product, our advice and recommendation has always been that Sulfuric Acid based products are only sold to Trade & Professional Users only. The new/revised label will reinforce this position and make the new point of sale controls clear.

Question? How do you define Trade & Professional? The current definition of professional use under the “Poisons Act” defines Professional Use as “a person who requires the article for the purpose of his trade or business”. Our additional advice would be to only sell Sulfuric Acid based product to customers that hold a Trade account. Trade/Professional customers do not require an EPP license.

Knock Out Professional Toilet & Drain Unblocker (Sulfuric Acid 90-97%). For use only in toilets and outdoor drains. Must only be sold to Trade & Professional users or members of the public who hold an EPP license.

The new/revised label (shown to the left) will state “Professional & Trade use Only”. “Acquisition, possession or use by the general public is restricted”.

Please remind your customers / end users of the importance of using the correct personal protective equipment, including eye / face protection, appropriate gloves and coveralls as stated on the label. Remind them to read the label and all instructions before use and make sure the product is kept / stored out of the reach of children. 

Never mix chemicals. Do not use an Acid on top of an Alkaline such as Sodium hydroxide/Caustic or vice versa!

Furthermore, our advice is do not sell any Corrosive products (Acid or Alkaline) to persons under the age of 18.

2) Acid/Corrosive Product Review. In addition to the above, the Government are also reviewing point of sale controls for all corrosive products. You may have heard in the media that the Government are asking retailers and stockists to support a voluntary scheme where no corrosive products are sold to persons under the age of 18. This voluntary scheme is also highly likely to become law in the near future. Our recommendation for point of sale controls across our full range of Acid/Corrosive products are detailed within the linked product leaflet. (Click Here)

In store display for Acids & Highly Corrosive products

We would further recommend that dummy/empty containers are placed on the shelf with an instruction to the customer to take the bottle to the retail/trade counter. This will give the Trade/Retail outlet the opportunity to vet the Customer and also make sure they are choosing the correct product and give advice on product usage and the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to wear/use. 

Barrettine can provide labelled dummy/empty containers on request.

Please contact us if you require further guidance / information.

Tel: 01179 600060. Email: sales@barrettine.co.uk