On 26 June 2015, European Union issued notification (G/TBT/N/EU/294) of the WTO secretariat, intending to amend entry 23 in Annex XVII under REACH Regulation: Cadmium and its compounds shall not be used or placed on the market in paints with codes [3208] [3209] in a concentration (expressed as Cd metal) equal to or greater than 0,01 % by weight.

The key point for this amendment is to extend the existing restriction to the placing on the market of such paints containing cadmium over a certain concentration and further specify the concentration limit for cadmium in such paints is 0,01 % by weight. Currently, entry 23 paragraph 2 in Annex XVII only regulate the paints with codes [3208] [3209].

In Annex XVII of (EC) No1907/2006(REACH), column 2 of entry 23 paragraph 2 is replaced by the following

Cadmium CAS No 7440-43-9 EC No 231-152-8 and its compounds

2. Shall not be used or placed on the market in paints with codes [3208] [3209] in a concentration (expressed as Cd metal) equal to or greater than 0,01 % by weight. For paints with codes [3208] [3209] with a zinc content exceeding 10 % by weight of the paint, the concentration of cadmium (expressed as Cd metal) shall not be equal to or greater than 0,1 % by weight. Painted articles shall not be placed on the market if the concentration of cadmium (expressed as Cd metal) is equal to or greater than 0,1 % by weight of the paint on the painted article.”

The notified regulation is expected to be approved in the fourth quarter of 2015. Its proposed date for effectiveness is six months following its notification. Besides, there is no transitional period in the amendment, which will be implemented immediately after its effectiveness.

Cadmium may irritate respiratory tract, whose long-term exposure will result in anosmia and yellow spots in gingival. Hard to be absorbed by intestinal tract, Cadmium compounds can be ingested by the body while breathing, leading to hazards to liver or kidney and osteoporosis.

Reminder: Annex XVII under REACH Regulation is the strictest one to regulate products to be used or placed on the EU market. Therefore, any change to the foregoing clauses may affect import of businesses. So our suggestion is to learn about the recent news of the regulation to gain more advantages. C&K Testing will keep track on regulation amendments to share the latest news with you as early as possible.

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Further information
Relevant draft on cadmium restriction
Relevant amendment to Annex XVII under REACH Regulation