Intergraf welcomes the adoption by the European Commission on 18 December 2020 of the authorisation for the continuous use of chromium trioxide. To support gravure printing companies’ adaption to the new procedures, we have published a Guide to the Authorisation of Chromium Trioxide Use for Gravure Printers.

The European Commission’s Decision on the use of chromium trioxide (CrO3) is key for gravure printing companies because CrO3 is used to produce hard chromium layers for printing cylinders. Since 2017, the use of CrO3 has been subject to authorisation under the European chemical legislation REACH.

“We welcome the final adoption of this long-awaited Decision on chromium trioxide, for which our sector could demonstrate the controlled and safe use in our manufacturing processes. This Decision is important for the continuous production of high-volume publications, flexible packaging printing (including paper, film, and aluminium), as well as decorative paper for laminate flooring and furniture. A failure to grant authorisation would have disturbed key value chains and threatened the manufacturing of several of these products in Europe.” Beatrice Klose, Secretary General of Intergraf

Gravure printers will need to follow certain procedures to be compliant with the authorisation Decision. These include notifying the use of CrO3 to the European Chemical Agency (ECHA) and complying with the conditions of use as detailed by their suppliers. To help gravure printers, we have produced a Guide to the Authorisation of Chromium Trioxide Use for Gravure Printers.

Access to this guide is restricted to printing companies belonging to one of Intergraf’s national member federations. The guide can be requested directly from our members.

Link to the European Commission’s Decision: https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/44374?locale=en, and Annex: https://ec.europa.eu/docsroom/documents/44375.