Chromium(VI) Compounds: ECHA Submits Restriction Proposal

The ECHA published a draft proposal for the restriction of chromium(VI) compounds at the end of April. According to the proposal, Annex XVII (restrictions) of REACH will regulate these substances rather than Annex XIV (authorizations). The restriction is set to come into force in 2028 and will apply to all uses of these substances in the European Economic Area (EU member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway).

Affected substances

The restriction should cover all currently used chromium(VI) compounds on the market, including chromium trioxide, chromic and dichromic acids and their salts, the rust-inhibiting pigment potassium hydroxyoctaoxo-dizincate dichromate, and pentazinc chromate octahydroxide. Barium chromate is not currently listed in Annex XIV of REACH but is part of the restriction proposal.

The ECHA's arguments

The ECHA justified the move by noting that these substances are among the most potent carcinogens in the workplace and thus significantly increase the risk of lung and colon cancer. Restrictions would prevent workers from coming into contact with the substance and, in addition, prevent the release of up to 17 tons of Cr(VI) compounds into the environment.

Exceptions

However, some applications are exempt from this requirement, if compliance with exposure and environmental emission limits is present. The substances in question may be used, for example, for the following:

the formulation of mixtures;
the electroplating on plastic substrates;
the electroplating on metal substrates;
Primers and other sludges;
other surface treatments; and
functional additives and processing aids.

Next steps

The document will be released for a six-month public consultation starting on June 18 and then reviewed by ECHA’s scientific committees before submission to the European Commission for a final decision.

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