Europe’s trade union confederation ETUC has called for a blanket ban on paint strippers that contain dichloromethane. The union made its position clear as the European Parliament’s (EP) Environment Committee prepares to publish its opinion on a Commission proposal to restrict the sale and use of products containing the chemical. The ban was subsequently introduced. In 2014 the UK Health and Safety Executive became the only EU regulator to ask for a derogation from some of its requirements.