On March 16, 2012, ECHA noted that Denmark had submitted a report recommending certain restrictions on leather goods. Because leather goods can come into direct, continuous, or repeated contact with the skin, it was proposed that their use be restricted if the leather contains hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) at a concentration greater than or equal to 3 mg/kg.
Hexavalent chromium is a substance that can cause severe allergies in humans. Even at very low concentrations, it can trigger dermatitis. Hexavalent chromium in shoes or other leather products can cause contact allergies.
If the authorities adopt the restriction measures, hexavalent chromium will be included in the restricted substances list of Annex XVII of REACH, which applies to the entire European Union, and this ban will cover shoes, gloves, watch straps, jackets, coats, trousers, hats and toys.
ECHA points out that although manufacturers do not intentionally add hexavalent chromium when manufacturing leather and leather goods, the trivalent chromium used in leather tanning (the leather soaking process) can oxidize to hexavalent chromium. However, the formation of hexavalent chromium can be avoided by properly controlling the leather tanning process.
Denmark's proposed list of restricted substances is now open for public consultation, with EU and non-EU stakeholders able to submit their comments by September 16, 2012. However, ECHA has stated that stakeholders should ideally submit their comments by June 1, 2012.
The ECHA Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) and the Socioeconomic Analysis Committee (SEAC) will make a decision by 16 March 2013, based on all documents related to the recommendations on restricted substances and opinions received during the public consultation period. Finally, the European Commission (EC) will decide whether to include these recommended restricted substances in REACH.
Sources: ECHA (2012-03-16) Compiled by PIDC
