Glossary

Due to the chemicals regulation REACH, there is an labelling obligation for the glazes we offer to the market. We try to keep the number of glazes that are subject to labelling as low as possible, but the legislation is now very strict. In many cases it's unfortunately not possible for us to develop glazes which are completely free of labelling. In recent years we have always tried to adapt our glaze recipes to meet a stricter regulation with regard to labelling requirements, but this usually leads to slightly different colours and effects, so that in some cases we offer both glazes - based on old, label-obligatory and based ont he new, label-free recipe.

 

In reference to the labelling obligation of glaze mixtures, we currently make a distinction as follows:

to 1.)

Despite no labelling obligation, we always recommend wearing a respirator when preparing powdered raw materials, avoiding dust formation and refraining from eating and drinking at work. Nevertheless, glazes that are not subject to labelling can also contain raw materials in a bound form based on cadmium (label-free inclusion pigments). This information is important when these glazes are intended to be used for tableware and drinking dishes (according to EC 1935/2004). A corresponding note can be found under the entry "Acid resistance".

 

to 2.)

Since a glaze is a silicate coating for ceramics, a formulation without a corresponding amount of silica cannot be made. In the case of stoneware glazes in particular, this silica must be added using free quartz. The problem of silicosis has been known for ages when processing raw materials containing quartz. For this reason, glazes that contain an increased proportion of quartz should only be processed using suitable personal protective equipment (FFP2 mask). Basically, almost every pottery clay contains a more or less high proportion of free quartz, so that for this reason a dust-free finishing in the leather-hard state is preferable to processing in the dried state!

 

to 3.)

Until a few years ago, only zinc oxide was one of the environmentally hazardous glaze raw materials. The zinc oxide was replaced by the appropriate use of zinc frits where possible. In the meantime, however, a large number of other compounds have been added to the environmentally hazardous raw materials, such as cadmium frits and all copper-compounds (e.g copper oxide). These raw materials are usually harmless to humans, but they are to be regarded as hazardous to the enviroment (labelling obligation with a dead fish symbol (GHS09)). When processing, we recommend that larger quantities do not get into the wastewater. This can be done e.g. by using a sedimentation basin under the sink.

 

Furthermore, these environmentally hazardous glaze powders are classified as "dangerous goods for transportation", so that they cannot be shipped to every country without restrictions (or only on certain shipping routes). Your TerraColor retailer can inform you accordingly, taking into account the country-specific regulations.