European Commission published Regulation (EU) No 2016/217 on its Office Journal on 17 February 2016, amending REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 as regards Annex XVII(column 2 of entries 23 for Cadmium and its compounds. The amended regulation will enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
Cadmium Requirements in EU
Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 is amended:
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Cadmium and its compounds |
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After |
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.’ |
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Before |
2. Shall not be used in paints [3208] [3209]. For paints 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. |
Other control requirements of cadmium :
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EU regulation |
Scope |
Cd limit |
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REACH (SVHC) |
Article |
0.1%/per Article(Threshold) |
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RoHS directive 2011/65/EU |
homogeneous material in EEE |
0.01% |
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Packaging Directive 2005/20/EC |
packing material |
(Sum of Pb,Cd,Hg,Cr6+)0.01% |
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Batteries Directive 2006/66/ECand 2013/56/EU |
Batteries |
0.002%(WT) |
Damage of Cadmium
Cadmium can stimulate the respiratory tract，long term exposure can cause a olfactory loss, gingival yellow or become yellow circle ,Cadmium compounds are not easy to be absorbed by the intestine, it can through breathe absorpted by body ,Stored in the liver or kidney then cause damage , especially in kidney damage is the most obvious. Can also lead to osteoporosis and softening.
Suggestion
The amend of the REACH regulations to further restrict paint containing Cadmium once come into force will have great influence on related enterprises during export paint to EU . Enterprises need to understand and master the technology content of the Amendment is about paint containing Cadmium in appendix XVII , carry out supply chain survey. So as to a timely response once the directive come in force.