REACH - Applications for authorisation AFA065-01 Chromium Trioxide

Overview

Public consultation on alternatives

Reference: AFA065-01

Applicant: Almetron Ltd    

Application Type: Initial application

Substance Name: Chromium Trioxide

• EC Number: 215-607-8       
• CAS Number: 1333-82-0

Annex 14 Entry number: 16

Proposed Use: Formulation of surface treatment process solutions containing chromium trioxide - specifically formulating chromic acid-based products by the addition of water, wetting agents and acids (no reactive chemistry).

Broad Information on Use Applied for (Conditions of Use and Function): 

Almetron Ltd are a UK company producing bespoke blended chromium trioxide-based formulations. These are used by customers across many sectors including aerospace, defence, automotive, architecture, food industries, hygiene and transportation.

Many UK based consultants, architects and engineering companies across several of these sectors are still specifying chromium trioxide-based coatings for their final products. Customers are requesting that Almetron Ltd make this application to support their own UK REACH applications as downstream users as they will need a UK based formulator to prevent all products being sourced and shipped from the EU and Global sources.

Chromium trioxide does not have a specific functionality at the formulation (mixing) stage apart from being incorporated into formulations that are used for downstream uses by authorised downstream users. At the application and use stage, the products containing chromium trioxide impart important traits and functionalities required within the relevant sectors. Key functionality criteria for downstream users include:

• Corrosion resistance
• Thermal resistance
• Wear resistance
• Self-healing properties
• Chemical resistance
• Adhesion promotion

The relevant functionality required will be covered in the applications made by the downstream users of the formulations.

Almetron Ltd offer chromium trioxide free alternative products that several customers across different sectors have successfully introduced. However, this is very dependent on the application and material being treated, the process used, and whether they must be audited and obtain industry standard test certificates for relevant alternatives, which can take several years and high investment costs.

Formulation takes place at one GB site. The volume of chromium trioxide used in formulation activities is driven by the demand from the downstream supply chain.

List of Descriptors:  

• Sector of end Use (SU): 3 (Industrial)
• Product category (PU): 14 (Metal surface treatment products)
• Process category (PROC): 3, 4, 5, 8a, 8b, 9, 15, 28
• Technical Function (TF): Formulation of surface treatment solution
• Environmental Release category (ERC): 2

Annual Tonnage Used: 14 - 25 tonnes per annum

Review Period Requested: 12 years

How to submit comments

Provide some basic information on possible alternative(s) in the online survey below but more detailed information should be provided in document(s) prepared using the commenting templates in the related section below. A “public version” should always be completed and will be published after the consultation has closed. If you want to include confidential information in your submission, please additionally complete a “confidential version” and submit both versions as attachments.

The consultation lasts for 8 weeks (unless otherwise specified) and closes at 23:59 London time (BST).