ADCR Launch Event held in Brussels
ADCR Launch Event held in Brussels
The launch meeting of the newly formed Aerospace and Defence Chromates Re-authorisation (ADCR) Consortium was held in Brussels on the 20 September to mark the start of the work towards new and repeat Authorisation applications, the first time on a sectoral basis.
Representatives from over 45 organisations, participating both in person and remotely, were welcomed by the ADCR Chair Steve George, and introduced to the Technical Services and Consortium Management which includes RPA, FoBiG, Bureau Veritas and Fieldfisher who hosted the meeting at their Brussels offices.
The Technical Services team delivered a series of presentations outlining the aims, management, structure and scope of the ADCR. In addition, Matti Vainio, Head of the Risk Management II Unit at ECHA, delivered a presentation on the state of play for REACH Authorisation and answered questions from the participants.
The current Authorisation status and timelines for work for the re-Authorisation of Cr(VI) substance uses in the aerospace and defence sectors were also discussed and the challenges faced by these sectors were explained. The Technical Services team shared with delegates the results of an initial substance-use mapping exercise which has identified potentially more than 80 possible Cr(VI) substance-use combinations which may be of relevance to the aerospace and defence sectors. Possibilities of grouping substances were discussed, and preliminary estimates of associated costs were given consideration.
© Fieldfisher LLP
A strong emphasis was made on the level of detail in the conditions of use coming out of existing Authorisation applications, which is much more detailed and therefore limiting than industry anticipated prior to initial applications. This makes it all the more important that all industry users get involved this time around to ensure their remaining uses will be covered in this project going forward.
In addition, Fieldfisher presented to delegates the Consortium Agreement which became effective on the day of the launch meeting and explained the different membership options and the associated rights and obligations of membership. The important benefits of membership were further explained.
The ADCR Consortium is now progressing to an important Scoping Phase where the scope and priorities of Authorisation work will be explored and substance-use groups will be formed. Potential members considering joining the ADCR Consortium are invited to contact the ADCR Consortium at adcr-info@rpaltd.co.uk
for further information, and to obtain a copy of the Consortium Agreement. Those joining by 20 December 2019 will be classed as Founding members; early entry is encouraged as this will further facilitate and support the upcoming Scoping Phase.
Other news items:
On 19 January 2026 Defra granted Decisions for the three initial applications (AFA059, AFA061 and AFA063) which we published as news on 3 February. The granted review period for these three applications is 12 years. The Decisions are available on Authorisation decisions: UK REACH - GOV.UK . The Defra Decision come with a series of conditions that users of chromates should be fulfilling and these measures will apply from the 19 August 2026. To support the sharing of these GB obligations the ADCR Service Team prepared Formal Communication Letters that were shared with the Authorisation Holders for disseminating to their downstream users. These ADCR formal Communication letters have now been added to ADCR Guidance and Support , the letters set out the Authorisation conditions and monitoring arrangements as well for existing stock and REACH Article 66 obligations. For the four review report applications AFA058, AFA060, AFA062 and AFA064, Defra is expecting to make their decisions later in March 2026. As these applications are all review reports the use can continue until Defra makes its decision. The ADCR Service Team will update guidance documents on the ADCR website to cover the obligations of the Defra ADCR Authorisation decisions. The guidance is intended for Downstream Users of soluble chromates in GB. ADCR will also hold a webinar later in spring 2026 (April/May) to present the UK decisions and conditions.