Threat to Cadmium in Artists' Colours lifted by European Union

Artists Oil Colours
- Cadmium Yellow and Cadmium Orange

Due to all the action taken by various art materials people, scientists, art magazines and lots and lots of artists, the European Union have announced they have agreed NOT to proceed with the proposed ban on cadmium in artists' paints.

Some people will have read my previous posts on the proposed ban of Cadmium Paint:

• Will Cadmium be banned in artists' paints in Europe? (23 Jun 2014) A review of the proposal to ban the use of Cadmium in artists' paints in Europe.
• A Rethink: about proposed ban on Cadmium in artists' paints (16 Dec 2014) - Relates to an apparent change of mind
• Petition to UK MEPs: Stop the EU ban of cadmium in artist's paints (17 Dec 2014) Highlighted a petition seeking to ensure the use of cadmium in artists' paints is NOT banned by the EU.

Plus I highlighted the good news from the EU on my Facebook Page last week.

However I always like to track down the official announcement when something very important gets reported in newspapers and magazines....

So for those who like to read the real thing....

OFFICIAL Announcement

This is the official announcement by the European Commission The Commission will not restrict cadmium in artists’ paint (Published on: 28/10/2015)

I'm reproducing the summary below - but the bold is mine

In 2013, Sweden proposed to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to prohibit placing cadmium and its compounds for use in artists' paint on the EU market, and to prohibit the use of such paints and pigments.

After careful evaluation by ECHA's Committee for Risk Assessment and Committee for Socioeconomic Analysis, the European Commission concludes that the presence of cadmium in artists' paints does not present an unacceptable risk to human health.
Accordingly, the restriction procedure initiated by Sweden is terminated.

Read the entire Communication here:
Commission communication on the termination of the restriction process on cadmium in artists' paints under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

Extract from the Communication:

"Conclusions

The Commission concludes that, from indirect exposure via the environment through the release of cadmium to waste water and the application of sewage sludge on agricultural soil, the presence of cadmium in artists' paints does not present an unacceptable risk to human health giving rise to a need to restrict the placing on the market of cadmium or its compounds for use in artists' paints, or to restrict the use of artists' paints containing cadmium or its compounds.

The Commission considers that the conditions laid down in Article 68 of REACH, and referred to in Article 73(1), are not fulfilled and will therefore not prepare a draft amendment to Annex XVII requiring a decision under Article 73(2) of REACH. Accordingly, the restriction procedure initiated by Sweden is terminated.

Since Title VIII of REACH harmonises the conditions for the manufacture, use and placing on the market of chemical substances, measures equivalent to those that have been examined in the course of a restriction procedure under that Title and did not ultimately result in the adoption of a new restriction or the amendment of an existing restriction under Article 73(2) of REACH may not be maintained or introduced by Member States, unless there is new evidence that would necessitate a renewed evaluation.”

More Articles

Others who have commented on the news include:

• The Art Newspaper - European artists free to paint the town red (and yellow and orange)
• Spectrum Artists Paints - Cadmium Pigments saved 
• Jackson's Art Blog - Breaking News – Cadmium Paints Saved!