AURO PAINTS (Last checked 2017)

Here is the official statement from Auro (17th June 2017) and Any questions regarding MI Free Paint and MCI.

RE: AURO and MIT/BIT (Methylisothiazolinone / Benzisothiazolinone ) June 2017

MIT/BIT (and we include MCI/MI in this) is quite a popular subject at present following it featuring on Watchdog recently and as more people are becoming aware of hidden chemicals and health effects. MIT/BIT are organic compounds containing sulfur and nitrogen. They are used to preserve different kinds of products e.g. cleaning agents, paints, cosmetics. They are accepted also by big certification companies such as ECOCERT. A well-respected French certification company certifying food, cosmetics, cleaning agents, agriculture, etc.

With our choice of raw materials we always make the smallest possible compromise. Most of our product are produced without the need for preservatives – this is a technical masterstroke which is not in everybody`s mind; but for some other products there is unfortunately a need to use preservatives.

The EU biocide directive being issued lately prevents us from using natural preservatives, which have had a very long tradition for centuries. Due to this we have been forced to include EU approved preservatives in our mix, from the available choices we have selected the one we feel has the best environmental credentials whilst providing performance in the smallest possible quantity. The quantities we use in our products are on the lowest possible level; depending on the product composition the concentration of the active component is between 0.01 and 0.02%. The product AURO use that is classified as this is known as Thiazole which has the chemical formula C3H3NS – this indicating its component elements are: Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulfur, all elements that can still be found in nature.

Naturally, all of the affected products correspond to the AURO positioning and philosophy: They are the most ecological and sustainable problem solving products of their kind being available on the markets. Our research and development department works on composition improvements with great efforts and we are seeking to develop an alternative material without compromising the high quality of our products.

Basically, it has to be said that current and also forthcoming laws and regulations (national, EU, biocide directive, etc.) will affect our choice of raw materials. We try our best to find always the best possible solution according to our philosophy and pretension.

On our website you can see for every single product the exact composition/full declaration and the share of renewable natural materials, processed natural materials, mineral materials and synthetic materials used in the product. All this information you will not find for other competitive products in such detail. Furthermore, not everybody is really saying what they are using. They mention e.g. only “preservatives”, summarize a number of components into groups (“additives”) or simply use wrong names for the components such as “vinegar ester”.

The following AURO products in our current range have trace (0.01-0.02%): amounts of MIT/BIT in

• 301 Plaster primer, 307 / 308 / 309 Roll & Brush Plaster, 311 Natural Fibre Plaster, 320 Economy Emulsion, 321 Standard Emulsion, 330 Full shade tint,  370 Wall glaze wax, 380 Natural resin universal adhesive, 382 Floor covering adhesive, 391 Wall covering adhesive, 396 Cork filler Product, 431 Floor care emulsion, 505 / 506 Grip coat, 524 Premium washable emulsion, 657 Linoleum care, 661 Wooden floors cleaning and care, 662 Intensive furniture care

At the time of writing the rest of our products not mentioned in the list above are free from MIT/BIT, MCI, MI etc.; ingredients may change from time to time so please feel free to check with us prior to purchase for the avoidance of any doubt.

Yours faithfully, Jason Harries (General Manager), AURO UK