ERRLAB to help rubber industry meet EU rules

Brussels – EU rubber processors and product manufacturers have a new technical support service in the form the European Rubber Laboratories (ERRLAB), which was launched at a signing ceremony in Brussels on 26 Jan.

The initiative was established by French, German and Italian benchmark rubber laboratories – LRCCP, DIK, CERISIE respectively – and supported their respective rubber industry national associations SNCP, WDK, Assogomma.

“This is the first step in giving the rubber industry the technical means to anticipate and tackle some of the future regulatory challenges,” said Fazilet Cinaralp, secretary general of the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA) – the other main backer of ERRLAB.

Described as an informal network of testing agencies, ERRLAB’s goal is to share resources and expertise in order to provide enhanced technical services to the European rubber manufacturing industry. Over 100 academics, engineers and technicians specialised are said to be involved in the project.

A particular goal will be to support small and medium enterprises, which are often challenged by EU regulatory requirements in areas such as environment, health & safety and certification.