Global Chromates Consortium for Aerospace

(GCCA)

The Global Chromates Consortium for Aerospace (GCCA) was formed in 2015 to prepare and submit Applications for Authorisation (AfAs) under the European REACH regulation, and to provide guidance for compliance activities for the use of hexavalent chromium substances that are critical to the aerospace, defence and aeroderivative sectors, but sourced through supply chains that are not covered by other AfAs.

 

News

The GCCA-sponsored authorisations for strontium chromate entered into force (‘date of adoption’) in the EU (and wider EEA) on 24 September 2020 and for sodium dichromate entered into force on 7 October. 2020 Please see GCCA News Bulletin No. 2020-03 and below for more details.

GCCA Webinars

To assist the aerospace and defence supply chain, the Global Chromates Consortium for Aerospace (GCCA) has hosted informational webinars on the following topics:

  • Preparing for Chromate REACH Authorisations
  • Monitoring Requirements under the GCCA-Sponsored Authorisations

Recordings of these webinars and associated slides are available upon request.  Please contact Dianne Green (dgreen@ramboll.com) for access to the recording(s) and related slides.

The GCCA Authorisation Toolbox

GCCA has developed an Authorisation Toolbox aimed at supporting downstream users to address their requirements under the GCCA Authorisations. The toolbox contains:

  • Guidance on completing the ECHA Notifications
  • Guidance on worker and environmental monitoring and associated templates
  • Frequently asked questions
  • How-to webinar modules
  • English versions of Exposure Scenarios
  • Chromate consortia authorisation status

Go to the GCCA Authorisation Toolbox

On 9–10 July 2019, the European Commission voted to approve the REACH authorisations sponsored by the Global Chromates Consortium for Aerospace (GCCA) covering use of chromium trioxide, sodium chromate, potassium dichromate and sodium dichromate containing products imported into the EEA for aerospace and defence use, granting a 7-year review period from the Sunset Date of 21 September 2017.

The GCCA-sponsored authorisations for chromium trioxide and sodium chromate entered into force (‘date of adoption’) in the EU (and wider EEA) on 29 October 2019 and potassium dichromate entered into force on 5 November 2019.

The authorisation for sodium dichromate was discussed again during the 30 April 2020 REACH Committee meeting and was voted on again via a written re-vote later in the second quarter of 2020.  The authorisation for sodium dichromate subsequently entered into force in the EU (and wider EEA) on 7 October 2020. 

Further, during the 19-20 November 2019 REACH Committee Meeting, the GCCA-sponsored authorisations for dichromium tris(chromate) and strontium chromate were voted on and approved by the European Commission’s REACH Committee. The GCCA-sponsored authorisation for dichromium tris(chromate) entered into force (‘date of adoption’) in the EU (and wider EEA) on 15 April 2020. The GCCA-sponsored authorisation for strontium chromate was discussed again during the 30 April 2020 REACH Committee meeting, was voted on again via a written re-vote later in the second quarter of 2020 and subsequently entered into force in the EU (and wider EEA) on 24 September 2020.

More information

For more information or inquiries, please contact Dianne Green or Sue Bullock.

Dianne Green

Principal Consultant

T: +1 513 563 3542

Related Documents

PRESS RELEASE
RAC and SEAC Draft Opinions on applied for REACH authorisations of certain uses of Chromium trioxide, Sodium chromate, Potassium dichromate and Sodium dichromate in the aerospace industries (5 September 2017)

PRESS RELEASE
Applications for REACH authorisations of certain uses of Dichromium (tris)chromate and Strontium chromate in the aerospace industries – public consultation (5 September 2017)

The following table provides relevant deadlines pertaining to the GCCA Authorisations:

Substance Authorisation No. DSU to comply with updated e-SDS Implement worker air monitoring programmes Send ECHA worker and environmental monitoring data
Chromium trioxide REACH/19/29/0 24 January 2020 24 April 2020 24 October 2020
Sodium chromate – Use 1 REACH/19/32/0
REACH/19/32/1		 24 January 2020 24 April 2020 24 October 2020
Sodium chromate – Use 2 REACH/19/32/2
REACH/19/32/3		 24 January 2020 24 April 2020 24 October 2020
Potassium dichromate REACH/19/31/0 29 January 2020 29 April 2020 29 October 2020
Dichromium tris(chromate) REACH/20/10/0 8 July 2020 8 October 2020 8 April 2021
Strontium chromate REACH/20/12/0
REACH/20/12/1
REACH/20/12/2
 17 December 2020 17 March 2021 17 September 2021
Sodium dichromate REACH/20/14/0 30 December 2020 30 March 2021 30 September 2021

More information can be found below and in the GCCA News Bulletins:

GCCA has prepared AfAs for the following hexavalent chromium substances/use(s)/ applicant(s)/authorisation holder(s).

Chromium trioxide1

CAS No 1333-82-0/EC No 215-607-8

Use
Chemical conversion and slurry coating applications by the aerospace sector2, where any of the following key functionalities or properties is necessary for the intended use: corrosion resistance, active corrosion inhibition, adhesion promotion and reproducibility (for chemical conversion coating), corrosion protection, heat resilience, hot corrosion resistance, resistance to humidity and hot water, thermal shock resistance, adhesion and flexibility (for slurry coating)3

Authorisation Holder: Wesco Aircraft

 

Related Links

Sodium chromate

CAS No 7775-11-3/EC No 231-889-5

Uses

  1. Formulation of mixtures for sealing after anodizing, chemical conversion coating, pickling and etching applications by the aerospace sector.
  2. Sealing after anodizing, chemical conversion coating, pickling and etching applications by the aerospace sector, where any of the following key functionalities or properties is necessary for the intended use: for the pickling/etching process - etch rate, intergranular attack/end grain pitting, surface contamination, fatigue testing, tensile testing, surface roughness, impact to shot peen compressive layer; and for the chemical conversion coating and sealing after anodising process - corrosion resistance, active corrosion inhibition, adhesion promotion, chemical resistance, layer thickness, electrical properties4

Authorisation Holder: Boeing Distribution, Inc. (formerly Aviall Services Inc5) and Wesco Aircraft

 

Related Links

Potassium dichromate

CAS Nos 7775-11-3/EC No 231-906-6

Uses
Sealing after anodizing applications by the aerospace sector, where the key functionalities of corrosion resistance or corrosion inhibition are necessary for the intended use6

Authorisation Holder: Wesco Aircraft

Related Links

Sodium dichromate

CAS No 10588-01-9, 7789-12-0/EC No 234-190-3

Use
Sealing after anodizing applications by the aerospace sector, where the key functionalities of corrosion resistance or corrosion inhibition are necessary for the intended use7

Applicant: Wesco Aircraft

 

Related Links

Dichromium tris (chromate)

CAS No 24613-89-6 / EC No 246-356-2

Use
Chemical conversion coating applications by aerospace and defence sector where any of the following key functionalities or properties is necessary for the intended use: corrosion resistance, active corrosion inhibition, adhesion promotion, chemical resistance, layer thickness, electrical properties8

Applicant: Wesco

 

Related Links

Strontium chromate

CAS No 7789-06-2 / EC No 232-142-6

Use
Use in primers applied by aerospace and defence sector where any of the following key functionalities or properties is necessary for the intended use: corrosion resistance, active corrosion inhibition, adhesion promotion, thermal shock resistance and chemical resistance

Applicant: Wesco; PPG; and Cytec

 

Related Links

  1. This authorisation covers only liquid formulations.
  2. Aerospace sector includes companies principally engaged in carrying out the design, development, manufacture, maintenance, modification, overhaul, repair, or support of civil or military aerospace and defence equipment, systems, or structures, plus any derivative uses.
  3. The authorisation for the use of chromium trioxide is not granted for chemical conversion and slurry coating applications by the aerospace sector where none of the key functionalities listed in the use is necessary for the intended use.
  4. The authorisation for the use of sodium chromate for sealing after anodizing, chemical conversion coating, pickling and etching applications by the aerospace sector is not granted for this use where none of the key functionalities listed in the use is necessary.
  5. Boeing Distribution, Inc. (formerly Aviall Services Inc.) is also an applicant for additional chromate authorisations, including Chromium trioxide (0032-01, 0032-02, 0032-03, 0032-04, 0032-05, 0032-06), Strontium chromate (0046-01, 0046-02), Potassium hydroxyoctaoxodizincatedichromate (0047-01, 0047-02), and Pentazinc chromate octahydroxide (0118-01, 0118-02). These have not yet been decided by the European Commission.
  6. The authorisation for the use of potassium dichromate is not granted for sealing after anodizing applications by the aerospace sector where none of the key functionalities listed are necessary for the intended use.
  7. The authorisation for the use of sodium dichromate is not granted for sealing after anodizing applications by the aerospace sector where none of the key functionalities listed are necessary for the intended use.
  8. The authorisation for the use of dichromium (tris)chromate is not granted for chemical conversion coating applications by the aerospace and defence sector where none of the key functionalities listed are necessary for the intended use.
  9. The authorisation for the use of strontium chromate is not granted for primer applications by the aerospace and defence sector where none of the key functionalities listed are necessary for the intended use.
Disclaimer: GCCA makes no guarantee or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of any information provided on this website. None of the information provided on this website constitutes legal advice, and each individual should consult with his or her own legal counsel before relying on any of the information presented.