2015 deadline set for EU’s chromium VI restriction
21/10/2013
The proposed date of application is expected in the first quarter of 2015.
The draft regulation prohibits any leather articles or articles containing leather parts that come into contact with skin which contain 3 or more mg/kg (0.0003%) of chromium VI from being placed on the market. It does not apply to second-hand articles which were in end-use before the first day of the 13th month after the date of the entry into force.
The proposed restriction focuses on the risk of skin sensitisation related to direct or indirect skin contact under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions. It is not limited to consumers but covers workers who are exposed to chromium VI compounds in their workplace, such as when wearing leather gloves or shoes.
Chromium VI compounds are toxic and are formed in leather through the oxidation of chromium III compounds, used in tanning procedures to stabilise the hide and to increase the dimensional stability and resistance to mechanical action and heat.
The proposed inclusion of chromium VI in the regulation for leather products will bring REACH in line with current legislation in Germany for leather materials in toys and other consumer products.
In 2010 the European Chemicals Agency added chromium VI oxide and other chromium VI compounds to the candidate list for substances of very high concern.
In the past few weeks, RAPEX has released details of several products in Europe, including ladies’ shoes, gloves, babies’ shoes, children’s sandals, jackets and protective wear, which pose a chemical risk due to containing chromium VI in leather parts.
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