Commission Recommendation of 30 May 2008 on risk reduction measures for the substances chromium trioxide, ammonium dichromate and potassium dichromate (notified under document number C(2008) 2326) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2008-05-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: anhydride, chemical salt, dangerous substance, environmental impact, health control, health risk, occupational safety

18.6.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 158/65

COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION

of 30 May 2008

on risk reduction measures for the substances chromium trioxide, ammonium dichromate and
potassium dichromate

(notified under document number C(2008) 2326)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/455/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty
Community,

establishing the European

Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 of
23 March 1993 on the evaluation and control of the risks of
existing substances (1) and in particular Article 11(2) thereof,

Whereas:

(1)

(2)

(3)

In the framework of Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 the
following substances have been identified as priority
substances
accordance with
Commission Regulation (EC) No 143/97 of 27 January
1997 concerning the third list of priority substances as
foreseen under Council Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 (2):

evaluation

for

in

— chromium trioxide,

— ammonium dichromate,

— potassium dichromate.

The rapporteur Member State designated pursuant to that
Regulation has completed the risk evaluation activities
for those
with regard to man and the environment
substances in accordance with Commission Regulation
(EC) No 1488/94 of 28 June 1994 laying down the
principles for the assessment of risks to man and the
environment of existing substances and has suggested a
strategy for limiting the risks in accordance with Council
Regulation (EEC) No 793/93 (3).

The Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the
Environment (SCTEE) has been consulted and has issued
opinions with respect to the risk evaluations carried out
by the rapporteur. The opinions have been published on
the website of the Scientific Committee.

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

The results of the risk evaluation and further results of
the strategies for limiting the risks are set out in the
corresponding Commission Communication (4).

is appropriate, on the basis of

It
to
recommend certain risk reduction measures for certain
substances.

that evaluation,

The risk reduction measures recommended for workers
should be considered within the framework of the legis-
lation for workers protection, which is considered to
provide an adequate framework to limit
the risks of
the relevant substances to the extent needed.

The risk reduction measures provided for in this rec-
ommendation are in accordance with the opinion of
the Committee set up pursuant to Article 15(1) of Regu-
lation (EEC) No 793/93,

HEREBY RECOMMENDS:

SECTION 1

CHROMIUM TRIOXIDE

(CAS No 1333-82-0; Einecs No 215-607-8)

AMMONIUM DICHROMATE

(CAS No 7789-09-05; Einecs No 232-143-1)

POTASSIUM DICHROMATE

(CAS No 7778-50-9; Einecs No 231-906-6)

Risk reduction measures for workers (1) and the
environment (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

1. Employers using chromium (VI) compounds for use in the
manufacture of pigments and dyes, the formulation of metal
and as
treatment products,
mordants in wool dyeing should take note of any sector-
specific guidance developed at national level, based on the
practical,
from the
guidance
Commission, as provided for in Article 12(2) of Council
Directive 98/24/EC (5).

electrolytic metal plating,

non-binding

available

(1) OJ L 84, 5.4.1993, p. 1. Regulation as amended by Regulation
the

the European Parliament and of

(EC) No 1882/2003 of
Council (OJ L 284, 31.10.2003, p. 1).

(2) OJ L 25, 28.1.1997, p. 13.
(3) OJ L 161, 29.6.1994, p. 3.

(4) OJ C 152, 18.6.2008, p. 1.
(5) OJ L 131, 5.5.1998, p. 11. Directive as modified by Directive
the Council

the European Parliament and of

2007/30/EC of
(OJ L 165, 27.6.2007, p. 21).

L 158/66

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

18.6.2008

in the Member States concerned
2. Competent authorities
in the permits issued under Directive
should lay down,
2008/1/EC (1),
or
conditions,
equivalent parameters or
regarding
chromium (VI) compounds in order to operate according
to the best available techniques (BAT) taking into account
the technical characteristic of
the installations concerned,
their geographical
location and the local environmental
conditions.

technical measures

emission

values

limit

3. Member States should carefully monitor the implementation
of BAT regarding chromium (VI) compounds and report any
important
to the Commission in the
framework of the exchange of information on BAT.

developments

4. Local emissions to the environment should, where necessary,
be controlled by national rules to ensure that no risk for the
environment is expected.

5. With particular regard to the on-site reduction of chromium
(VI) compounds to Cr (III) tanning salts by plants involved in
the tanning of hides and skins, it is recommended that in the
next amendment of the BREF Document for plants involved
in the tanning of hides and skins, appropriate references are
included to indicate that the on-site reduction of chromium

(VI) compounds
tanning salts should not be considered as BAT.

the production of chromium (III)

for

6. For the water bodies where emissions of chromium (VI) may
cause a risk, the relevant Member State(s) establish environ-
mental quality standards (EQS) and the national pollution
to achieve those EQS in 2015 in
reduction measures
accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC of
the European
Parliament and of the Council (2).

SECTION 2

ADDRESSEES

7. This Recommendation is addressed to all sectors importing,
producing,
a
preparation or other processing, using, disposing or reco-
vering the substances and to the Member States.

transporting,

formulating

storing,

into

Done at Brussels, 30 May 2008.

For the Commission

Stavros DIMAS
For the Commission

(1) OJ L 24, 29.1.2008, p. 8.

(2) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Directive

2008/32/EC (OJ L 81, 20.3.2008, p. 60).