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Canadian/US regulations on Chrome plated parts

November 11, 2009

Hi,

We are a factory in China which produces hydroponics tents and export to US, Canada and Europe. For the steel tubing of our tents we would like to change to chrome plating that as a much better finishing.
We worry about the health as the plants and water are going to be in contact with the chrome.

So I have some questions:

What are the quantities of hexavalent chromium left on the surface after plating? Is it RoHS compliant?

Are we going to have a problem with the regulation in Canada or US?

Hope someone can answer my questions.

Thank you very much

Maxime

Maxime Melous
product developer - China

Hi, Maxime. if chrome plated parts are adequately rinsed, there is no hexavalent chrome on them. And decorative chrome plating is so prone to spotting from inadequate rinsing that it's hard to imagine how the parts could be shipped and sold unless they were fully rinsed. So they are RoHS compliant, and not forbidden anywhere in the world to my knowledge.

In addition to chrome plated can openers and cake knives, I even have an old steel fork that was copper-nickel-chrome plated and labelled as such. In other words, chrome plating is not only RoHS safe, it has even been used in food service.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
November 11, 2009

November 16, 2009

Dear Ted Mooney,

Thank you for your quick reply,
I appreciate your help.

Maxime

Maxime Melous
- China

Q. Dear Sir/Madam
please let me know whether metallic Chromium, Trivalent chrome or Hexavalent Chromium is present in 1) Hard Chrome, 2) Decorative chrome & 3) Electroless Cu-Ni-Chrome on plastic.

regards,

Sreenivasa Murthy
autos - Nashik, Maharastra, INDIA
November 24, 2009

A. Hi, Sreenivasa. There should only be metallic chrome on any parts, but I have seen inadequately rinsed hard chrome plated components that, as shipped, had significant hexavalent chromium on them. Any faint trace of amber/honey color should ring alarm bells.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

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