Because the Danish Environmental Agency considers that chromium (VI) in leather products is the cause of chromium allergies, and that the frequency of chromium allergy has been increasing, they intend to prepare an Annex XV dossier for chrome VI in leather products to be submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The potential outcome of this process could be a restriction of the content of chrome VI in leather products under the REACH Regulation.
In response to a consultation letter COTANCE and the various national tanners’ associations have pointed out that there is already effectively a ban on the presence of chrome VI in leather, and that there is a well established international test methodology – EN ISO 17075 – for determining the presence of chrome VI, with a detection limit of 3ppm. No other workable, official and tested methods for chrome VI are currently available.
Progress of the dossier will be monitored to ensure that there are no proposals that might affect the use of chromium III in leather, and that there are no moves to reduce unreasonably the detection limit below the current level of 3ppm.
For further information about chrome VI in products, REACH regulations or support on all aspects of chemical testing contact info@blcleathertech.com
BLC members receive a 30% discount on all testing and problem solving services.
