ECHA prepared a report to look at the derogation for the restriction of cadmium and its compounds in products containing recycled PVC. The restriction includes a generic limit value of 0.01 % weight by weight for cadmium compounds. However, certain applications containing recycled PVC are allowed on the market with a higher concentration value of 0.1 % w/w.

ECHA concluded that the current limit value associated with the derogation could be reduced to 0.08 % w/w without major impacts on current recycling rates or costs to industry. However, reducing the limit would not significantly improve product safety or environmental protection, and any potential decline in recycling, as a result of a tighter limit, could actually lead to an increase in environmental pollution in the short term.