ECHA has examined the application of Topocrom GmbH and recommended to the EU Commission to grant an authorisation for a period of 12 years. The EU Commission followed this application and granted the authorisation for 12 years on 17 July 2018. REACH Authorisation for Topocrom
The REACH-Regulation (Regulation (EC) 1907/2006) entered into force on 1 June 2007. It is one of the strictest chemical regulations worldwide and regulates, among other things, the use of substances with hazardous properties (“substances of very high concern”). The basic idea is to replace such substances or to make their use safe for humans and the environment.
Chromium trioxide (CrO3) has been qualified as a substance of very high concern by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and since September 2017 may therefore only be used after prior approval by the EU Commission. Companies producing metallic chromium layers require chromium VI.
In order to obtain approval, companies must identify and control the risks associated with the substances they produce and place on the EU market. The companies must demonstrate to ECHA how the substance can be safely used.