,On December 10th, 2025, the European Commission published a Questions & Answers document outlining its plans to introduce a restriction on chromium(VI) (Cr(VI)) substances under the EU REACH Regulation. The initiative follows a mandate issued to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in September 2023 to prepare an Annex XV restriction dossier, in response to mounting regulatory delays and capacity constraints linked to the authorisation of Cr(VI) substances. The Commission identified that chromium trioxide and several other Cr(VI) substances, already subject to REACH authorisation, have generated an unexpectedly high number of applications, overwhelming ECHAs scientific committees and delaying decisions. These delays were found to undermine the protection of human health and the environment and to hinder the progressive substitution of substances of very high concern. The proposed restriction is intended to replace the current authorisation-based approach and would cover all Cr(VI) substances listed in REACH Annex XIV, except lead chromates, as well as barium chromate, to prevent regrettable substitution. ECHA published the Annex XV dossier in April 2025, and its scientific committees are currently developing their opinions. In a best-case scenario, the Commission expects the restriction to be adopted by end-2027 or early-2028. Until the restriction enters into force, existing authorisations remain valid, although new or pending applications for Cr(VI) authorisation are unlikely to be processed. The initiative aims to ensure a more efficient and proportionate management of Cr(VI) risks while supporting regulatory harmonisation and substitution with safer alternatives.
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