The end of chrome plating in Europe. Has anybody else heard about this?

[Speedytriple3503]

I have just read an article from the Velocette LE club magazine which has been passed to me by a friend. As such, I cannot vouch for the accuracy of it but it seems to suggesting that the chrome plating process will be outlawed "for commercial purposes" throughout the EU in 2017 due to the toxicity of the chemicals used.
I am surprised not to have heard anything about this from FBHVC and the classic car press.
If its true then it seems likely that we will need to send any parts that need plating to somewhere these rules don't apply.
Does anybody know any more about this? A Google search appears to confirm these rules exist
The regulations are apparently called REACH - Regulation, Evaluation Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. The acronym doesn't seem a very good fit but there you go!
Mike

[nib]

About 15 years ago a good percentage of chrome platers were wiped out by some Eu law, due to the scandalous price increase overnight of a licence to carry out chroming.

[Staggard]

I thought the EU had already put the mockers on old fashioned good chroming due to some chemical restrictions. That's why chroming done now days is mostly c**p

[Kevin Garrod]

. That's why chroming done now days is mostly c**p

Is that why they say you can't polish a turd?

[tonyh]

Is that why they say you can't polish a turd?

But you can roll it in glitter.

[Staggard]

But you can roll it in glitter.

Always wear gloves

[RobinLegin]

Let's face it the EU is about jobs for the boys (and girls) and lots of vested interests. Would not be surprised to find that later on any need to re chrome has to be done at a specially authorised factory. And that factory will be owned by someone in the EU or even a Minister. The French had to retract the need to carry breathalyser kits in all cars because a Government Minister had an interest in the factory that produced them. Strange indeed.
Don't wish to be political but FIVA has a constant battle going on to keep classic cars legally on the road. They have a permanent person constantly checking what the EU will try and do next that effects our enjoyment of these old machines.
Apart from the constitutional issues not being debated by our PM, and therefore the real truths about the EU being kept from us all, there is little we can do except vote on our future membership.

[Guest]

Well that's a viewpoint Robin, but let's not take the thread too much into the political sphere.

[TR5convalescent]

I think that Practical Classics ran a story which blew this one about a year ago? The restrictions are to do with large scale manufacture. Decorative chrome is unaffected I think.

I will scout round and see if I still have that magazine.

[Pete]

Hexavalent Chromium is very nasty stuff and the by products have to be dealt with carefully, so it is no wonder there are stringent regs surrounding it.

[jbuckl]

I think hexavalent chrome is adversly affected already, but tri-valent is still ok with sufficient collection of waste solids liquids & gasses.

There are a few platers left in the midlands.