Industry welcomes cadmium use ruling

Spectacle makers have managed to avert extra costs after a European body placed no further restrictions on the use of cadmium for metal spectacle frames.

It followed a consultation and review by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which concluded additional regulations for the chemical were not warranted.

The Optical Confederation responded to the consultation in May last year, arguing changes would result in higher costs as all frames would need to be checked for compliance.
Malcom Polley of the Optical Confederation said: 'The ECHA has rightly recognised that the use of metals in spectacle wear differs from jewellery because of the use of nose pads and end pieces which protect the wearer.


'Optical manufacturers are happy to comply with standards but these must be proportionate and we are pleased to see that this has been recognised by the ECHA.'
The need to further restrict the use of cadmium in metal spectacle frames fell outside of REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & restriction of Chemicals) provisions, which are European Union regulations that came into force in June 2007, a statement noted.
The Optical Confederation's Mark Nevin added: 'We welcome the conclusions in this report and would like to commend the collaborative approach the ECHA has taken in preparing this report.'
The Confederation has also responded to a consultation on the revision of European legislation on medical devices on behalf of the profession.
In relation to cosmetic contact lenses, it stressed that all contact lenses should be subject to 'the same harmonised standards and post-marketing vigilance systems'.