ECHA Recommends Restricting the Use of Lead in the European Union

Share:

2/14/2022

ECHAThe European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) published a draft recommendation on Feb. 2 for the inclusion of Lead in Annex XIV (“The Authorization List”) under the European Union’s (EU) Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restrictions of Chemicals (REACH) regulation.

If the EU Commission decides to include lead on the Authorization List, manufacturers, importers and downstream users will be prohibited from placing this substance on the EU market unless that entity has an exemption or is authorized for its use under REACH rules.

The EU REACH regulation attempts to protect human health and the environment from the risks posed by hazardous chemical substances. The regulation establishes procedures for collecting, assessing and managing the introduction and use of chemical substances in the European market.

One of these regulatory tools is known as Annex XIV; the Authorization List. Under the Authorization procedure, ECHA can submit recommendations to take currently listed Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and add them to Annex XIV.  Once the EU Commission places the SVHC in Annex XIV, the listed substance can longer be introduced into the EU market, unless specific businesses and manufacturing entities apply for authorizations for certain uses. 

It is important to note that these restrictions are only applicable to manufacturing and processing entities operating in the EU. When an importer or manufacturer introduces these substances in their articles outside of the European marketplace, REACH does not apply. Therefore, SVHCs may still be imported into the EU without meeting the authorization requirements of REACH. 

AEM intends to engage with the European Commission regarding this public consultation issue. For more information, please contact AEM Director of Global Standards and Jason Malcore at jmalcore@aem.org, or reach out to AEM's Regulatory Compliance Steering Committee.

For more compliance updates, subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor. 

AEM Updates, Safety & Product Leadership

For more AEM news and updates, subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor.

Related Articles

Register Now for AEM’s Upcoming Member Education Webinar: Establishing a Common Language for Autonomy, Cybersecurity, and Data

AEM is pleased to offer its members an opportunity to explore the importance of a common language when discussing the complex fields of autonomy, cybersecurity, and data through...

Latest Special AEM Member Event at Twisthink Offers Forum for Networking, Learning, and Collaboration

Ideas and insights. Conversations and connections. Last week’s special AEM member event at Twisthink in Grand Rapids, Michigan had it all.Organized by AEM staff and Twisthink...

AEM Announces Texas Leg of Historic “AEM Manufacturing Express” Tour

AEM is proud to announce the return of the “AEM Manufacturing Express,”which will hit the road this August for a tour across Texas.At each of the 22 stops at manufacturing...

AEM Safety Materials Program Stands the Test of Time

By Jaime Vos, AEM Senior Director of Cultural Innovation/Safety Materials —A few years back, the AEM Safety Materials Program recognized its 50th anniversary in producing...

Meet the AEM CE Sector Team – From Groundwork to Guidance

Market changes and evolving end user needs are impacting the ways in which construction professionals, utility owners and contractors, and vertical and transportation builders...

View all AEM Updates