This topic was originally covered by Directive 91/338/EEC : from 1st June 2007, this Directive is cancelled and replaced by an identical entry in Annex XVII of the new EU "REACH" Regulation (1907/2006). The entry for cadmium is number 23 and can be found starting on page 414 of the 849-page English text.

PLASTICS

The European Union has established a list of polymers in which cadmium pigments may not be used within the EU : details of the affected polymers are shown below. Cadmium pigments may be used in all other polymers. Other areas of application such as ceramics, glass and artists' colours are not affected by this legislation.

• There is a general "safety" exemption - cadmium pigments may be employed in any polymer where the colouring is being used for safety reasons.

The list of restricted polymers is as follows :-

• epoxy resins
• polyurethane
• PVC
• cellulose acetate and celluslose acetate butyrate
• low-density polyethylene (except as a masterbatch) ¶
• melamine formaldehyde and urea formaldehyde
• polypropylene
• cross-linked polyethylene
• unsaturated polyesters
• acrylonitrile methyl methacrylate
• polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate
• high-impact polystytrene §
• transparent / general-purpose polystyrene

NOTES

¶		Masterbatches can still be produced in low-density polythene, providing that the masterbatch is not used for the colouration of polymers in the above list.
§		This entry refers only to pure polystyrene modified by cross-linkage to improve its impact strength. It does not cover styrene copolymers such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), stryene acrylonitrile (SAN) or styrene butadiene. Use of cadmium pigments in these copolymers is not restricted under this legislation.

PAINTS

Cadmium pigments may not be used in paints within the EU which fall within Common Customs Tariff numbers 3208 and 3209

OTHER APPLICATIONS

Other areas where cadmium pigments are used such as ceramics, glass and artists' colours are not affected by this legislation.