Annex XVII of the REACH regulation (EC 1907/2006) already contains several restrictions on cadmium in mixtures and articles. Now, these restrictions have been extended to jewellery, brazing sticks and all plastic materials with a limit of 100 mg/kg. For the recycling of PVC in construction products, the new legislation allows the re-use of recovered PVC containing low levels (0,1%) of cadmium.

Highlights of the Revision

Jewellery

The following jewellery articles shall not be placed on the market if their concentration in cadmium is equal or greater than 0.01% (100 mg/kg) by weight of the metal:
     > Metal beads and other metal components for jewellery making,
     > Metal parts of jewellery and imitation jewellery articles and hair accessories (i.e. bracelets, necklaces, rings,

        piercing jewellery, wrist-watches, wrist-wear, hair accessories, brooches, cufflinks).
Note: These requirements will not apply to jewellery more than 50 years old on 10 December 2011.
 

Mixtures and Articles

The list of specific articles that were subject to cadmium restrictions when cadmium was used as a PVC stabiliser has been removed. Instead, that concern is addressed by: Cadmium shall not be used in mixtures and articles produced from synthetic organic polymers, which extends the restriction to all plastic materials. The limit is still 0.01% (100 mg/kg) by weight of the plastic material. 

Paints

Cadmium shall not be used in paints. For paints with zinc content higher than 10%, the limit is 0.1%.
Painted articles shall not be placed on the market if their concentration of cadmium is equal or greater than 0,1% (1000 mg/kg) by weight of the paint on the article.

Recovered PVC

Mixtures produced from PVC waste and mixtures, and articles containing recovered PVC, can be placed on the market if their concentration of cadmium does not exceed 0,1% (1000 mg/kg) by weight of some rigid PVC applications. Examples of these articles are: profile and rigid sheets for building application, doors, windows, shutters, walls, blinds, fences, roof gutters, decks, terraces, cable ducts, and pipes for non-drinking water. Articles and mixtures containing recovered PVC must be visibly, legibly and indelibly marked as follows:
 “Contains recovered PVC” or with a designated pictogram (shown in PDF).

Brazing Fillers

Cadmium shall not be used in brazing fillers containing equal or greater than 0.01% (100 mg/kg) cadmium. 

Additional Information

View the Rapid Press Release (select language):
http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/11/620&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Contact Us

If you have any comments and/or questions, please contact your customer service representative.