Geschäftsführer: Gregor Scholz, Dennis Scholz, Heinrich Stöcker Ust-ID-Nr. DE121979948 Handelsregister: AG Recklinghausen HRB 1418

Commerzbank Köln IBAN DE 89 3704 0044 0120 6069 00 BIC COBADEFF370

Deutsche Bank Recklinghausen IBAN DE 69 4207 0062 0637 2767 00 BIC DEUTDEDE 420

Harold Scholz & Co. GmbH Ickerottweg 30 D-45665 Recklinghausen

Telefon +49 (0) 23 61-9 888-0 Telefax +49 (0) 23 61-9 888-8 33 info@harold-scholz.de www.harold-scholz.de Dated: 15/08/2019

Harold Scholz & Co. GmbH · Postfach 60 01 65 · D-45640 Recklinghausen

Wir bringen Farbe in Ihre Produkte.

Preservation of Pigment Preparations Dear customer, For preserving water-based pigment preparations, Harold Scholz & Co. GmbH has so far opted for preservative agents that are provided with methylisothiazolinone (MIT). Up to now, all over the world it has been common standard to use MIT or MIT containing preservatives for the preservation of aqueous dispersions. MIT has also been used in cosmetic applications (direct skin contact!), among others. Because of the new EU-regulation staring of May 2020, products containing 15 ppm of MIT or more must be labelled as hazardous substances. In accordance with the CLP regulation, then those products must bear the H 317 hazard statement (may cause an allergic skin reaction) as well as the GHS07 pictogram (exclamation mark):

GHS07 pictogram

For the handling of H 317 substances, as in case of any hazardous substances, the user has to issue risk assessments and working instructions enabling application-related, correct handling of these substances. The identification and assessment of risks as well as the determination of proper protective measures should be based on TRGS 401 (the technical rule for hazardous substances 401; risks resulting from skin contact – identification – assessment – measures), besides the respective safety data sheet. Safety data sheets relating to H 317 substances often refer to the following precautionary statements: P302+P352: If on skin: wash with plenty of soap and water. And P333+P313: If skin irritation or skin rash occurs: get medical advice / medical attention.

….Page 2 of letter dated 15.08.2019

Geschäftsführer: Gregor Scholz, Dennis Scholz, Heinrich Stöcker Ust-ID-Nr. DE121979948 Handelsregister: AG Recklinghausen HRB 1418

Commerzbank Köln IBAN DE 89 3704 0044 0120 6069 00 BIC COBADEFF370

Deutsche Bank Recklinghausen IBAN DE 69 4207 0062 0637 2767 00 BIC DEUTDEDE 420

Wir bringen Farbe in Ihre Produkte.

The fact that a substance or mixture has been classified as hazardous substance labelled with the H 317 hazard statement, considered alone, does not result in any special further handling requirements in respect of transportation or storage of this substance or mixture. Harold Scholz & Co. GmbH, being aware of the amendment regarding the classification of MIT as hazardous substance when using quantities ≥ 15 ppm, has developed alternative preservatives and independently tested which of them enable the production of pigment preparations not requiring any particular labelling even beyond the middle of 2020. In this regard, the alternative BIT (benzisothiazolinone) preservative was used. Unfortunately, the present supply situation is quite critical in consequence of a tragic chemical accident in China, and thus it cannot be guaranteed that sufficient quantities of BIT will be available all over the world in the near future. Therefore, Harold Scholz & Co. GmbH currently pursues the following strategy:

1. Wherever possible, using MIT-based preservatives > 15 ppm shall ensure the preservation of our pigment preparations in future too. In this case the labelling with the H 317 hazard statement is required as mentioned above.

2. Further alternative preserving agents, apart from the use of BIT, will be developed. 3. The availability of BIT will be checked permanently.

We provide our pigment preparations for industrial and professional applications exclusively. Whether products, which are manufactured using our pigment preparations, also have to be classified as hazardous substance and labelled with the H 317 hazard statement, from mid-2020, depends in respect of MIT on the fact whether the overall quantity of MIT contained in the final product is ≥ 15 ppm. In case of any queries in conjunction with this letter or if further information should be required, our sales staff as well as our product safety department will be pleased to assist you accordingly. Harold Scholz & Co. GmbH Product Safety i.V. Dr. Peter Weber Head of Laboratory