About BAMA
Sacki Warning
Reversed Epsilon
'e' Mark
BAMA recommendations on 'No CFC' claims
BAMA recommendations on Recycling Statements for Aerosols
SACKI Warning
In 1995, the Advisory Committee on the Misuse of Drugs reported specifically on VSA to the UK Government and its report included several recommendations to industry.
The VSA Industry Forum was formed, comprising all affected industries, to share information and understanding of the problem, increase awareness and to consider ways of reducing the number of deaths. A key requirement was to consider whether labelling would be appropriate and as a result a major research project was undertaken by the Department of Trade and Industry Consumer Safety Unit. There was a strong response from consumers that a new clear warning was required and the Industry Forum recommended that each industry should draw up guidance for its sector on how to apply the voluntary warning which was found to be most effective.
The aim is to have all abusable products labelled with the same or similar warning where appropriate.
After careful consideration, BAMA recommended that all aerosols should be labelled on the back. Because there is no information on a fatal dose or the effect of mixing products, this is designed to be a general warning about the risks of solvent abuse. It should be on all aerosol packs and not just those considered to have the potential to be abused.
BAMA remains committed to supporting education programmes which it believes are vital to give accurate information on the risks of VSA and to bring about changes in attitude and behaviour in order to tackle this problem seriously.
BAMA recommends that the phrase Solvent Abuse Can Kill Instantly in the badge format shown in Figure 2 should be applied to the back of all aerosols sold in the UK together with the phrase Use only as directed.
The phrase Solvent Abuse Can Kill Instantly ('SACKI') in the badge format shown below should be applied to the back of all aerosols:
Artwork is available from BAMA, please email enquiries@bama.co.uk.
Artwork guidelines
The warning should be 1.3 cm wide and 1.0 cm high for fills up to 200 ml and 1.66 cm wide and 1.28 cm high for larger fills.
The warning should be on the back of the pack, preferably away from the statutory warning panel. The colour of the warning can be the same colour as the other text but should be clear and legible. If the pack is multilingual or space is not available, the wording can be placed in a box rather than the badge format so it can be distinguished from other statutory warnings.
The badge should be accompanied by the phrase Use only as directed.
The warning is UK specific and is not directly applicable to other countries. For multilingual packs it is recommended that the SACKI warning be included in the English text and the following warning, Use only as directed. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling contents can be harmful or fatal be translated into any other languages used on the pack.
Reversed Epsilon
We are often asked if there is a standard design for the Reversed Epislon which is referred to in the Aerosol Directive. There is no standard laid down by the regulation. However, we would recommend the attached design should you wish to use it on any new artwork. The recommended height is 3mm.
Artwork is available from BAMA, please email enquiries@bama.co.uk
'e' Mark
The mark shall be:
• at least 3 mm high
• placed in the same field of vision as the nominal content marking
• indelible, clearly legible and visible under normal conditions of presentation of the package
• comply with the shape and dimensions detailed in the Code of Practical Guidance for Packers and Importers
Download the Specifications for the Use of the e Mark
BAMA recommendations on 'No CFC' claims
The UK Government and BAMA have agreed to recommend that companies who wish to label should use the phrase:
Aerosols do not contain CFCs.
This is published in the UK Government Green Claims Code at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/business/marketing/glc/pdf/genericguide.pdf
It is anticipated that this label will ultimately become redundant when consumer awareness improves. The new label has the advantage of providing information on the whole industry, not just the aerosol on which it appears. BAMA recommends that marketers consider removing all references to CFCs from their aerosols.
BAMA recommendations on Recycling Statements for Aerosols
BAMA recommends that consumer aerosols should be labelled
Please recycle- when empty.