The EU REACH Regulation imposes strict controls on cadmium (CAS: 7440-43-9, EC: 231-152-8) and its compounds to protect human health and the environment. Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal, and long-term exposure can cause serious health hazards. The restriction conditions are as follows:

1.Shall not be used in mixtures and articles made from synthetic organic polymers (plastic materials), such as:

• Vinyl chloride polymers or copolymers (PVC) [3904 10][3904 21];

• Polyurethane (PUR) [3909 50];

• Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), except when used for the manufacture of masterbatches [3901 10];

•Cellulose acetate (CA) [3912 11];

•Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) [3912 11];

•Epoxy resins [3907 30];

•Melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins [3909 20];

•Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins [3909 10];

•Unsaturated polyesters;

•Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) [3907 60];

•Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT);

•Transparent/general-purpose polystyrene [3903 11];

•Acrylonitrile methylmethacrylate (AMMA);

•Cross-linked polyethylene (VPE);

•High-impact polystyrene;

•Polypropylene (PP) [3902 10].

Mixtures or articles obtained from plastic materials must not be placed on the EU market if their cadmium concentration (expressed as a percentage by mass of the plastic material) is equal to or greater than 0.01%.

By way of exemption, paragraph 2 shall not apply to articles placed on the market before 10 December 2011.

Paragraphs 1 and 2 apply without prejudice to Council Directive 94/62/EC and shall operate under its framework.

2.Paints [3208][3209] with a cadmium concentration (by mass) ≥ 0.01% shall not be used or placed on the market.

3.By way of exemption, and for safety reasons, paragraphs 1 and 2 shall not apply to mixtures coloured with cadmium.

4.By way of exemption, paragraph 1, second subparagraph shall not apply to:

——Mixtures produced from PVC waste, referred to as 'recovered PVC'.

——Mixtures or articles containing recovered PVC, provided the cadmium concentration (expressed as metallic cadmium) does not exceed 0.1% by mass of the plastic material in the following rigid PVC applications:

(a) Profiles and sheets for building facades and cladding.

(b) Doors, windows, shutters, blinds, walls, ventilation panels, fences, and roof gutters.

(c) Decking and terraces.

(d) Cable ducts.

(e) Non-potable water pipes, provided that the recovered PVC is used only as the middle layer, surrounded by a jacket of virgin PVC compliant with the requirements of paragraph 1.

When first placing mixtures or articles containing recovered PVC on the market, the supplier must ensure they are marked in a clear, visible, and indelible manner with the words "Contains recovered PVC" or the following symbol.

In accordance with Article 69 of this Regulation, the exemption in paragraph 4 shall be reviewed by 31 December 2017, particularly considering the potential for reducing the cadmium limit and reassessing the exemptions listed in points (a) to (e).

5.For the purposes of this entry, 'cadmium plating' means any deposition or coating of metallic cadmium on a metallic surface. Cadmium-plated articles or components shall not be used in the following sectors/applications:

(a) Equipment and machinery intended for use in:

•Food production: [8210][841720][841981][842111][842122][8422][8435][8437][8438][847611];

•Agriculture: [841931][842481][8432][8433][8434][8436];

•Refrigeration and freezing: [8418];

•Printing and bookbinding: [8440][8442][8443].

(b) Equipment and machinery used in the manufacture of:

•Household goods: [7321][842112][8450][8509][8516];

•Furniture: [8465][8466][9401][9402][9403][9404];

•Sanitary ware: [7324];

•Central air conditioning and central heating equipment: [7322][8403][8404][8415].

In any event, irrespective of their use or intended purpose, cadmium-plated articles or components intended for use in the sectors/applications mentioned in (a) and (b) above shall not be placed on the market.

6.The provisions mentioned in point 5 shall also apply to cadmium-plated articles or their components when used in the sectors/applications mentioned in (a) and (b) below, and to articles produced in the sectors listed in (b):

(a) Equipment and machinery used in the manufacture of:

•Industrial process equipment and machinery: [8425][8426][8427][8428][8429][8430][8431];

•Road and agricultural vehicles: [Chapter 87];

•Railway vehicles: [Chapter 86];

•vessels: [Chapter 89].

7.However, the restrictions in points 5 and 6 shall not apply to:

•Articles or components intended for use in the aerospace, aviation, mining, offshore, and nuclear power sectors, where such use requires high safety standards, and to safety devices in road/agricultural vehicles, railway vehicles, and vessels; for reasons of equipment reliability.

8.The cadmium concentration (by mass) in brazing fillers shall not exceed 0.1%.

Brazing fillers with a cadmium concentration (expressed as metallic cadmium) exceeding 0.1% by mass shall not be placed on the EU market.

For this paragraph, 'brazing' means a joining technique using alloys, performed at temperatures above 450 °C.

9.By way of exemption, paragraph 8 shall not apply to brazing fillers used for safety reasons in defence or aviation applications.

10.The following shall not be placed on the market if their cadmium concentration (expressed as a percentage by mass of the metal) is greater than 0.01%:

(i) Metal beads or other metal components used in the manufacture of jewellery.

(ii) Metal parts of jewellery and imitation jewellery articles and hair accessories, including:

•Bracelets, necklaces, and rings.

•Piercing jewellery.

•Wristwatches and wristwear.

•Brooches and pendants.

11.By way of exemption, paragraph 10 shall not apply to products placed on the market before 10 December 2011. Jewellery articles older than 50 years on 10 December 2011 are exempt from the restriction.

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