Chemical Review Committee Recommends Global Controls on Lead Chromate Pigments

• The UN Chemical Review Committee (CRC) has unanimously recommended listing lead chromate pigments under the Rotterdam Convention.
• The move aims to increase global transparency and enforce stricter trade controls on a major source of childhood and occupational lead exposure.

Regulatory Implications

• Inclusion in the Rotterdam Convention mandates Prior Informed Consent (PIC), requiring importing countries to be notified and provide consent for shipments.
• A dedicated HS trade code will be assigned to improve tracking of the toxic substance.
• Countries with existing lead paint bans can use this status as legal leverage to block illegal, bypass imports.

Background and Timeline

• The initiative was led by submissions from Cameroon and Morocco in 2024, followed by Switzerland and Australia in 2025.
• Despite existing bans, IPEN reports that paints containing lead chromates are still sold in roughly half of the world's countries.
• The CRC will finalize a decision guidance document by late 2027, with formal listing expected at the 2029 Conference of the Parties (COP).