Hexavalent Chromium

New Mexico Environment Department Halts Injection and Issues Compliance Orders for LANL Hexavalent Chromium Interim Measures

New Mexico’s Environment Department has ordered DOE’s Los Alamos site to halt injection under discharge permit DP‑1835, citing hexavalent chromium exceedances in a sole‑source aquifer, and has followed up with administrative compliance orders that DOE and contractor N3B are now contesting through hearings and technical dispute resolution. The outcome will determine whether and how DOE can restart its interim measures system to contain the chromium plume and is likely to drive stricter groundwater control, monitoring, and remediation expectations around this and similar high‑profile contamination sites.

10 Apr 2026, 15:22energy.govUnited States

Switzerland Issues General Decree Authorising Italian Natural Mineral Waters With Limits on Boron, Chromium(VI) and Fluoride

Switzerland has authorized the marketing of Italian natural mineral waters under mutual recognition principles, effective March 2026. Importers must ensure products comply with specific Swiss concentration limits for boron, chromium(VI), and fluoride to maintain market access.

5 Apr 2026, 06:18fedlex.admin.chSwitzerland

EU REACH Committee Issues Positive Opinions on Chromium Trioxide Authorisations and Reviews Annex XVII Restrictions (25–26 February 2026)

The EU REACH Committee has advanced restrictions on lead and CMR substances while granting several chromium trioxide authorisations for automotive and sanitary applications. Companies should prepare for finalized restriction scopes and transitional periods in 2026, alongside a strategic shift toward broader sectoral management of hexavalent chromium.

5 Apr 2026, 05:15ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands Climate Minister Explains Tata Steel Joint Letter of Intent and Planned Emissions Reductions

The Dutch government has clarified the framework for a future legally binding agreement with Tata Steel to transition to green steel production and drastically reduce hazardous emissions by 2045. This signifies a shift toward enforceable "bespoke" industrial decarbonization contracts that link state aid to strict, measurable reductions in CO2 and toxic pollutants.

3 Apr 2026, 09:54zoek.officielebekendmakingen.nlNetherlands

ECHA SEAC Publishes SEAC-69 Minutes On Octocrilene, Chromium(VI) And PFAS Restrictions

ECHA’s SEAC has advanced draft opinions for major REACH restrictions on Octocrilene, Chromium(VI), and universal PFAS, with key milestones set for early 2026. Affected sectors—including cosmetics, electronics, and aerospace—should evaluate these socio-economic assessments to prepare for impending market access restrictions and substitution mandates.

26 Mar 2026, 12:20echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU – ECHA RAC And SEAC Advance PFAS Restriction, Chromium(VI) And Octocrilene Work

ECHA’s scientific committees have advanced the universal PFAS restriction, with RAC adopting its opinion and SEAC preparing to consult on the socio-economic impacts. This development accelerates the timeline for broad chemical bans, requiring businesses to finalize substitution strategies and prepare for the final window of regulatory influence.

20 Mar 2026, 06:32echa.europa.euEuropean Union

Norway (NGI/Miljødirektoratet) Explores Leaching-Based Criteria for Chromium VI in Recycled Concrete

Norway is evaluating a shift toward leaching-based risk assessments for Chromium VI in recycled concrete, aligning with emerging EU End-of-Waste standards. This transition could expand recycling opportunities for mineral waste by focusing on actual environmental release rather than total substance concentration.

19 Mar 2026, 19:26nffa.noNorwayEuropean Union

Sweden: Kemikalieinspektionen Plans 2026 Inspections of Sports and Leisure Goods

The Swedish Chemicals Agency (Kemikalieinspektionen) has announced a 2026 enforcement campaign targeting chemical compliance in sports and leisure goods, including textiles, footwear, and equipment. Companies should audit supply chains for restricted substances like PFAS, SCCPs, and PAHs now, as non-compliance will lead to sales bans and potential criminal prosecution.

19 Mar 2026, 15:27kemi.seSweden

US EPA Proposes Groundwater Cleanup Enhancements at San Fernando Valley (Area 2) Superfund Site

The US EPA has proposed expanding groundwater extraction and treatment infrastructure at the San Fernando Valley Superfund site, with public comments open until April 14, 2026. Businesses with historical or current operations in the area should assess potential liability and cost-recovery risks as the agency intensifies remediation of VOC and chromium plumes.

18 Mar 2026, 16:17epa.govUnited States

EU ECHA Invites Comments On Seven REACH Authorisation Applications Closing 08 April 2026

ECHA has launched public consultations on seven REACH authorisation applications for SVHCs including chromium trioxide and phthalates, closing April 8, 2026. Impacted firms in the aerospace, electronics, and medical sectors should evaluate these applications to ensure continued market access or accelerate transition to safer alternatives.

16 Mar 2026, 16:29echa.europa.euEuropean Union

UK REACH Consultation On Application AFA070-01 For Chromium Trioxide

The UK HSE has opened a consultation on a 12-year authorisation request for the use of chromium trioxide in decorative sanitaryware electroplating. Companies in the plating supply chain should monitor this case as a benchmark for UK REACH authorisation timelines and the technical justification required for long-term hexavalent chromium use.

12 Mar 2026, 13:40consultations.hse.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

RAC-76 Restrictions Working Group Third Draft Opinion on Restriction of Certain Chromium(VI) Oxides, Oxyacids and Salts

ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) has reached provisional conclusions on the REACH restriction for Chromium (VI) compounds, targeting a final opinion by June 2026. Proposed stringent worker inhalation limits (0.1 µg/m³) and new soil protection mandates signal a significant tightening of operational controls for industrial users across the EU.

9 Mar 2026, 19:03echa.europa.euEuropean Union

US OSHA Submits Hexavalent Chromium General Industry Information Collection to OMB for Review

OSHA has submitted a three-year renewal request for hexavalent chromium record-keeping and reporting requirements to the OMB, with comments due by April 6, 2026. This procedural step maintains the existing compliance framework for occupational exposure monitoring and medical surveillance, ensuring continued regulatory oversight of chromium (VI) in general industry.

9 Mar 2026, 18:30govinfo.govUnited States

EU ECHA RAC Adopts PFAS Restriction and New CLH/OEL Opinions (RAC-76 Minutes)

ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) finalized its opinion supporting a broad universal PFAS restriction and adopted stringent new harmonized classifications for several high-volume substances in March 2026. Companies must anticipate significant market access restrictions and prepare for updated labeling, safety data sheet (SDS), and workplace exposure requirements across diverse product categories.

9 Mar 2026, 16:40echa.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Grants REACH Annex XIV Authorisation for Chromium Trioxide Use by Artech S.r.l

The European Commission has granted a REACH Annex XIV authorisation to Artech S.r.l for the use of chromium trioxide in functional chrome plating until July 2030. This decision secures short-term market access for specific machinery and automotive applications but underscores the necessity of identifying viable alternatives before the next review cycle.

4 Mar 2026, 16:36eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

EU Commission Grants REACH Annex XIV Authorisation for Chromium Trioxide in Automotive Electroplating (Decision C(2026) 867)

The European Commission has granted a REACH Annex XIV authorisation for chromium trioxide use in automotive electroplating, effective until July 2030. Manufacturers must prepare for the 2030 review deadline by intensifying substitution efforts, as the lack of current alternatives remains the primary justification for continued use.

4 Mar 2026, 16:36eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Commission Partially Grants REACH Annex XIV Authorisations for Chromium Trioxide Uses (OJ C 2026/1090)

The European Commission has granted REACH authorisations for chromium trioxide in cosmetics packaging pretreatment, valid until July 1, 2030. Affected manufacturers must use this window to finalize substitution strategies as the 2030 deadline signals the end of current regulatory tolerance for this hexavalent chromium use.

4 Mar 2026, 16:36eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

European Commission Grants REACH Authorisation for Chromium Trioxide to Kesseböhmer (Decision C(2026) 852)

The European Commission has granted a REACH authorisation to Kesseböhmer for the use of chromium trioxide in functional chrome plating across the automotive, furniture, and sanitary sectors until July 2030. This decision provides temporary regulatory certainty for these supply chains while signaling a firm deadline for the transition to safer alternatives as the review period expires.

4 Mar 2026, 16:36eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Economic Area

England: Environment Agency Varies Environmental Permit for CSG Aylesford Treatment Plant (EPR/UP3033UX/V008)

The UK Environment Agency has issued a varied environmental permit for the CSG Aylesford facility to implement updated Best Available Techniques (BAT) for waste treatment. This move reinforces the regulatory shift toward tighter emission limits and mandatory PFAS monitoring, requiring facilities to invest in improved storage, treatment, and emissions control infrastructure.

4 Mar 2026, 16:00assets.publishing.service.gov.ukUnited Kingdom

EEA EFTA States List REACH Authorisation Decisions For Dangerous Substances (First Half 2025)

The EEA EFTA states have formally published the list of REACH authorisation decisions taken during the first half of 2025, covering substances like hexavalent chromium and ethoxylated alkylphenols. This administrative step confirms the alignment of chemical use permissions across the European Economic Area, requiring operators in Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway to verify their specific authorisation status for continued compliance.

3 Mar 2026, 20:02eur-lex.europa.euEuropean Economic AreaIcelandLiechtensteinNorway