REACH regulation increases lead content limit in PVC


On May 8th, the European Union issued a committee regulation amending Article 63 of Annex XVII of the REACH regulation regarding lead and its compounds in PVC.

Add the following content to item 63 of Annex XVII of REACH Regulation:


Starting from November 29, 2024, lead shall not be placed on the market or used in items produced from vinyl chloride (PVC) polymers or copolymers, with a concentration exceeding 0.1% by weight of PVC material.

Due to the fact that EU industry has not used lead stabilizers in PVC since 2015, this 18 month transition period is considered sufficient for most economic operators to adapt to new requirements, handle inventory, and communicate relevant information about restrictions in the supply chain.

In addition, some PVC products also suffer from damage, such as PVC products containing recycled soft PVC, PVC products containing recycled hard PVC, and PVC silica separators in lead-acid batteries.