MODEL SHOPS REMOVE HUMBROL ENAMEL FROM SALE

News broke this month that a number of model shops have had to remove Humbrol Enamels from sale, following the reclassification of a chemical ingredient in tinlets.

Test Valley Models of Andover posted the news to its website, triggered by a change in regulations which it says has left it with paint that can't be sold to customers by law after March 1, under Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations.

Test Valley Models said, "We have received information from Hornby with regard to the current situation with its Humbrol branded enamel paints. Customers are advised not to continue to use Humbrol enamels until further notice, and to seek alternative paints. Test Valley Models has by law had to remove all Humbrol enamel paints from sale."

Hornby's statement on its Humbrol Enamel range of products issued to the model shop was as follows: "The CLP (Classification, Labelling & Packaging) Regulation regularly assesses and occasionally reclassifies chemicals. “Meko”, a popular anti-skinning agent, extensively used in the paint industry, has been reclassified under CLP. The change in classification resulted in the substance being phased out for supply to the consumer in Europe. The affected paint cannot be sold to the general public after 1st March, 2022 under the REACH Regulation."

The Humbrol Acrylic range appears not to be affected, and modellers are to seek advice from their local model shop or retailer if experiencing difficulties in obtaining the paint.