The European Commission has published an updated version of the Q&A “Towards a restriction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) substances under REACH”. 

As reminder, accordingly, ECHA will continue processing all applications and review reports for which its scientific committees have already initiated opinion making, to ensure the timely adoption of these opinions. Also, to avoid disruption of access to the EU market, applications for new Cr(VI) uses or users that are not covered by existing authorisations or transitional arrangements will be processed.

Given the ongoing restriction process, ECHA will prioritise applications for substances other than Cr(VI) for future opinion making. This means that opinion making for all other Cr(VI) applications and review reports is suspended until the Cr(VI) substances are removed from the Authorisation List (Annex XIV) and the restriction applies.
This suspension concerns already submitted applications and review reports for which ECHA has not yet issued an invoice. Concerned companies will be informed individually in due course, through their REACH-IT account.