Aerosol Dispensers Directive

FEA has always supported strict, yet flexible, legal provisions in the Aerosol Dispensers Directive (ADD) 75/324/EEC, one of the oldest EU legislations related to product safety in order to ensure a high level of safety for professional users and consumers.

The ADD 75/324/EEC includes specific requirements related to flammability and pressure hazard as well as a general obligation to analyse all hazards which could apply to a particular aerosol product. Based on such an analysis, the aerosol dispenser is designed, constructed and tested accordingly and meets the appropriate safety requirements concerning its use.

For example every aerosol product must be tested in a hot water bath (50°C), or an approved equivalent alternative, to guarantee that the aerosol dispenser is sufficiently pressure-resistant and remains virtually hermetically sealed. To help fulfill these obligations, FEA is also developing industry standards and guidance for both members (free of charge) and non-members.

Recently, the EC Aerosol Dispensers Directive Committee met to discuss a new adaptation to technical progress in order to:
- Align the labelling provisions agreed within the UN SCE-GHS in December 2010 with the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008
- Increase the maximum permitted internal pressure at 50°C to 15 bar, for aerosol dispensers using non-flammable propellants only
- Include updated provisions for plastic aerosols

ADD 75/324/EEC contains a coherent and user-friendly text incorporating the provisions related to all aerosol dispensers. Introduction here of CLP labelling requirements avoids confusion that could arise with product specific legislation such as for pharmaceutical, cosmetic or food products.

FEA also makes recommendations on small aerosols and reversed epsilon.