Restriction proposal for chromium trioxide is available

The German Surface Technology Association (ZVO), based in Hilden, presented the current status of the REACH restriction proposal on chromium(VI) compounds at the beginning of July and put it up for discussion among its members.

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) had already published a draft for the restriction of various Cr(VI) compounds, including chromium trioxide, in April 2025. The aim is to replace the current authorization procedure in the medium term.

A public consultation has been running since June 18, 2025, in which comments on the draft can be submitted via an online portal. The ZVO is planning to submit an overarching commentary, but would like to point out that some of the questions formulated require a company-specific response.

Return to the concept of fixed limits - a model that was rejected as inadequate 15 years ago

Malte-Matthias Zimmer, ZVO Head of Environmental and Chemicals Policy, began by explaining the content and possible effects of the restriction proposal. He emphasized that the draft contains some contradictory and unusual approaches. For example, environmental impacts are to be regulated on the basis of absolute emission values for air and water, while occupational exposure limits vary depending on the respective intended use. Also noteworthy is the return to the concept of fixed limit values - a model that was rejected as inadequate 15 years ago. Over the course of July, the design of the ZVO commentary was discussed further internally.