Dated 03 May 2023, an EU "Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/923" was published to amend Annex XVII to REACH (EC1907/2006) as regards lead and its compounds in polymers or copolymers of vinyl chloride (PVC).
As explained in the Regulation, while it is useful in PVC compounding, lead is a toxic substance. It was therefore decided to set a concentration limit for lead in PVC, with effect from 29 November 2024, that if the concentration of lead is ≥ 0.1% by weight of the PVC material, the placing on the market or use of lead in articles produced from PVC is not allowed.
Exemption / Grace Period:
Until |
Exemption |
28 May 2025 |
For PVC articles containing recovered flexible PVC |
28 May 2033 |
For the following PVC articles containing recovered rigid PVC, if the concentration of lead is lower than 1.5% by weight of the recovered rigid PVC: (a) profiles and sheets for exterior applications in buildings and civil engineering works, excluding decks and terraces; (b) profiles and sheets for decks and terraces, provided that the recovered PVC is used in a middle layer and is entirely covered with a layer of PVC or other material for which the concentration of lead is lower than 0.1% by weight; (c) profiles and sheets for use in concealed spaces or voids in buildings and civil engineering works (where they are inaccessible during normal use, excluding maintenance, for example, cable ducts); (d) profiles and sheets for interior building applications, provided that the entire surface of the profile or sheet facing the occupied areas of a building after installation is produced using PVC or other material for which the concentration of lead is lower than 0.1% by weight; (e) multi-layer pipes (excluding pipes for drinking water), provided that the recovered PVC is used in a middle layer and is entirely covered with a layer of PVC or other material for which the concentration of lead is lower than 0.1% by weight; (f) fittings, excluding fittings for pipes for drinking water. |
28 May 2033 |
PVC-silica separators in lead acid batteries |
Articles covered by paragraph 1, in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 5, and by paragraph 7 in accordance with paragraphs 8 and 10 |
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Articles within the scope of: (i) Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004; (ii) Directive 2011/65/EU; (iii) Directive 94/62/EC; (iv) Directive 2009/48/EC. |
Reference:
for details.