The European Commission has requested ECHA to develop REACH restriction proposals for certain chromium (VI) substances in the currently highly concerned substance authorization list.

Helsinki, October 11, 2023- ECHA has received authorization from the European Commission to prepare an Annex XV report, which at least imposes possible restrictions on chromium (VI) substances in items 16 and 17 of the current REACH authorization list (Annex XIV). ECHA will submit proposals before October 4, 2024.

This restriction proposal aims to address the challenges posed by the current and potential future workload of ECHA and the European Commission. This workload stems from a large number of applications for authorization to use these substances, which have been submitted or may come from hundreds of companies. For ECHA, evaluating applications and drawing conclusions will exceed the available resources of the Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and the Socio Economic Analysis Committee (SEAC), and will affect its work in regulating other hazardous chemicals.

If ECHA discovers potential risks of regrettably replacing other chromium (VI) substances during the preparation process of the restriction proposal, the scope of authorization can be extended to cover other chromium (VI) substances. However, this requires discussion and agreement with the committee.

The preparation of restriction proposals and the evaluation of RAC and SEAC will follow the standard REACH restriction process. When preparing the proposal, ECHA will consider the knowledge and experience gained from the authorization application for handling these substances.

Once the committee approves the restrictions, the substances within the scope will be removed from the authorization list. This will mark the first time in REACH's history that such action has been taken.

Assistance to enterprises

The committee issued a Q&A document clarifying the situation of the affected companies. This document also covers the main issue regarding the revocation of consortium authorizations covering many downstream users of chromium trioxide by the European Court of Justice ruling (Chemservice ruling).

Encourage companies dealing with hexavalent chromium compounds to consult this document for more information.

background

In April 2013 and August 2014, a total of 11 hexavalent chromium substances were added to the authorization list. They may cause cancer, genetic mutations, and harm reproduction. Some of them are also skin and respiratory allergens.

One of the main uses of the substances covered in the restriction proposal is electroplating, which is a common material coating surface treatment process.