Industry Groups Challenge European REACH on Chromium Trioxide

On July 8, VECCO, a German industry association, filed a legal challenge against the European Commission regarding the authorization of chromium trioxide and related compounds pursuant to REACH. The law’s so-called “authorization” framework would ban the use of chromium trioxide in the European Union unless parties submit specific information to justify its continued use for critical applications such as surface finishing.

The challenge alleges that the commission erred in its assessment of chromium trioxide for authorization and failed to provide an exemption for the continued use of it and other related compounds in the surface coatings industry. In addition, the challenge claims that the commission failed to provide key documents that formed the basis of its actions, thereby denying the industry’s rights and violating “the principles of sound administration and excellence of scientific advice.”

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VECCO was formed specifically to preserve of the use and benefit of chromium trioxide and other hexavalent chromium compounds in the surface finishing industry. It is working in cooperation with other European industry groups regarding the challenges stemming from the authorization of chromium trioxide and other related compounds pursuant to the REACH regulation.

For more information regarding this action, contact Jeff Hannapel at jhannapel@thepolicygroup.com.

National Association for Surface Finishing