PER in dry-cleaning

The ECSA Information Sheet for dry-cleaners has been updated to reflect the current legislation on perchloroethylene (PER) in dry-cleaning and to answer questions from the public that we have addressed to dry-cleaning associations.

Is PER banned anywhere?

No EU country has banned PER for the use in dry-cleaning. Denmark implemented measures, which are often mentioned as a ban on PER, while it rather implements strict measures for all solvents used in dry- cleaning. According to the Danish Dry-Cleaning Association, two-thirds of the Danish dry-cleaners use PER .

The French Ministry of Environment and the French Health & Labour Ministry recently issued a press release calling for a phase-out of existing installations in dry-cleaning using PER. The ECSA Information Sheet for Dry-Cleaners provides more details about this recent development in France. The document is also available in French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian and Portugese.
  
  
 As partner in a EU Leonardo Da Vinci project, ECSA has developed web based training tools for professional dry-cleaning shops with information about legislation and detailed guidance on safe handling with on-line examination and certification possibilities. Follow the link to the E-DryClean project.



07/2012