REACH – Probably the most complex piece of legislation on chemicals policy in Europe
Compliance with the REACH regulationREACH has been in force since 2007 and is intended to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment. The REACh Regulation is intended to ensure the free movement of chemicals on the internal market and promote competitiveness and innovation at the same time. REACH is based on the principle that manufacturers, importers and downstream users take responsibility for their chemicals. They must ensure that the chemicals they manufacture and place on the market are used safely. The abbreviation “REACH” is derived from the English title of the regulation: Regulation concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals. The REACH regulation is considered one of the strictest chemical laws in the world.
(Source: https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/chemikalien/reach-chemikalien-reach)
In this context, a large number of standard electroplating products have come under the regulatory eye of the European Chemical Agency. Above all the substance chromium trioxide with its wide range of applications in countless areas of industry. For more information, please refer to ECHA’s “Substance Inforced Chromium Trioxide”.
(Source: https://echa.europa.eu/de/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.014.189)
REACH and chromium – Chronology of events
2011 – Inclusion of chromium trioxide on the ECHA candidate list for authorization (Annex XV)
2013 – Inclusion of chromium trioxide is subject to authorization in the EU (Annex XIV)
2017 – September 21 is the sunset date for chromium trioxide
This means that chrome plating with CrVI has been banned in the EU since this date. The processing of the substance is still possible with a corresponding approval, which is called authorization in professional circles.
2023 – Submission of an authorization application to the European Chemicals Agency in autumn 2023
2025 – ECHA’s 12-year draft opinion – an important milestone for our customers
Securing the future
Baaske Oberflächenveredlung GmbH has participated in two authorization consortia. As one authorization only runs until 2024 and another application has not yet been decided, we have drawn up our own authorization application. The application was submitted to the European Chemicals Agency in fall 2023 and is currently being processed there.
This is a logical step for us and an investment in the future of this versatile technology. Both for the continued existence of our family business and for the applications of our customers, who have been relying on solutions from our two companies for decades.
Vecco e.V. – mastering the challenges of REACH together
In order to still be able to achieve the goals of REACh, we have been a member of Vecco e.V. for years. The association was founded in 2012 by the industry with the purpose of ensuring the continued use and utilization of chromium trioxide and other chemicals in surface technology. This includes the voluntary commitment of companies to achieve the objectives of REACH, research into possible alternative technologies and safer working conditions. Together, we are actively working to make Vecco e.V. a seal of quality for responsible and modern electroplating technology. Antonella Lo Bue has been an advisory board member of Vecco e.V. since 2012.
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