Page 21 - FINAT Yearbook 2011

the acknowledged industry standard procedures for measuring the perform- ance of self-adhesive materials. As Chairman of the Test Methods Sub- committee, he brings together the expertise of team members from all the industry disciplines - facestocks, release liners, adhesives, and their components.
An ad-hoc committee also currently active in this sphere is the Digital Printability Testing Task Force, led by Wilco de Groot (IGT Testing).
Wilco de Groot
regulatory affairs:
reporting, positioning Regulatory affairs are today a major factor in the world of self-adhesive labelling, and Uwe Düsterwald (BASF SE) heads up the Sub-committee that is charged with negotiating a path through the sometimes extremely complex issues that arise regularly - particularly in relation to consumer sentiment. ‘Public scandals about chemicals are often emotive. It’s our job to evaluate, objectively, the facts of a given situation, and any likely consequences for our industry - legal or otherwise -
Uwe Düsterwald
and then to advise FINAT members of our findings via teleconferences, position papers, and other available communication options,’ says Uwe.
He continues: ‘We are also actively involving our broad committee member- ship panel to deliver a full educational platform for FINAT member companies on general issues, such as legislation impacting our businesses, and chemical substances of concern. Much of this activity is reactive, as it is kick-started by influencers outside the label industry. Brand owners, for example, are very cost-conscious, and often choose to
use the cheapest option, which is not necess-arily the most fit for purpose.
It’s only when problems come along that some buyers become interested in ‘doing the right thing’. We set up cross- disciplinary team meetings to address specific topics, collect information, compare data, and then, if necessary, preparing recommendations statement for the main Technical Committee and the FINAT membership for discussion.
If our recommendations are agreed, a statement is placed on the FINAT regulatory affairs website.
‘reactively proactive’
‘Because this sub-committee receives so much input, the team is extremely busy being “reactively proactive”. Perhaps more than any of the other FINAT sub-committees, the first-hand knowledge team members have gained in the commercial marketplace enables the team as a whole to build up a full picture and respond, speedily, accord- ingly to issues that are raised by “media hype”. We can, and do, create and
raise awareness of issues for FINAT members.’
sustainability and recycling: ‘a practical contribution’ Sustainability and recycling are two major issues for FINAT members today; and the Technical Committee’s Sub- committee on these topics is chaired by international expert and guru Calvin Frost (Channeled Resources). He is enthusiastic about the new committee infrastructure, which is empowering, and creating a new level of intense activity.
‘We have been able to whittle down the huge sustainability and recycling agenda to just three agreed focus points in our
Calvin Frost
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finAt YeArbooK 2011 |