Mixed signals from European Parliament on roadblock for continued use of chromium trioxide in tinplate and tin-free steel
8 April 2019
APEAL, the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging, takes note of the objection of the European Parliament (EP) on the authorisation for continued uses of chromium trioxide in many industries, including the automotive, aerospace, defence, as well as for the passivation of tinplated steel (ETP) and Tin-Free Steel / Electrolytic Chromium Coated Steel (ECCS).
Following the initial resolution which objected outright to the granting of an authorisation, the European Parliament (EP) has instead chosen not to reject the authorisation but to ask, by a slim majority (309 in favour, 286 against and 24 abstentions), that the European Commission (EC) reviews its draft decision, demonstrating the division within the EP on this issue. The EP also considered that the Commission did not exceed its implementing powers, provided for in the REACH regulation, concerning this authorisation application. APEAL very much welcomes these key provisions introduced in the final resolution.
APEAL notes that the vote came without in-depth debate within the EP Environment parliamentary committee on a resolution that could potentially have an important impact throughout the EU.
APEAL would like to re-iterate that the EC draft decision received the support of 24 of the 28 Member States in the EC’s REACH committee based on expert scientific advice from the European Chemicals Agency, and following many years of analysis by the EC itself.
The EC is now invited to proceed quickly, review the EP position and publish their final decision as soon as possible. APEAL are confident that the EC can now move forward with the granting of the authorisation.
