Consultations Launched for Applications for Authorization

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is seeking comments on 13 applications covering 17 uses of the following:

• chromium trioxide (EC 215-607-8, CAS 1333-82-0):

  It is used to functional chrome plate, anodize aluminum spars or electroplate shock absorber rods, coat substrates with chrome, etch and electroplate substrates. In addition to its industrial applications, this chemical is also used in the hard chromium coating of complex outer surfaces of firearm auxiliary parts subject to mechanical, chemical, and thermal stress for great heat, corrosion, wear, and barrier properties, plus the ability to withstand hot combustion gas erosion after post-processing.

  The plating of dental instruments used by professionals for dental treatment; plating small components with simple geometries that don’t require special approval procedures for their use in demanding sectors like food, paper, and chemical production. It is an electroplating process for different kinds of substrates that are designed to produce a bright, long-lasting, durable (shiny) or matte surface (functional electroplating with decorative characteristics).

• 4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl) phenol, ethoxylated (EC -, CAS-): used as a detergent in the purification of lapidated OspA protein subsequently used for manufacturing of a lyme disease vaccine candidate;
• 4-nonylphenol, branched and linear, ethoxylated (EC 500-209-1, CAS 68412-54-4): Mixing by the Applicant of an NPnEO-containing epoxy resin used for the manufacture of glass fibre articles for critical composite helicopter parts, that is exempt from authorization under REACH Art. 56(6)(a)

More information about the uses that authorization is applied for, including the description of the function of the substance, exposure scenarios, possible alternatives identified by the applicants, together with socio-economic information, is available on the ECHA website.

The deadline is 6 April 2022.