Goodbye to chrome trim on cars: the EU bans its use

Until now, it was very common to find chrome decorative details on many vehicles. Both cars and motorcycles featured this type of decoration in various places on the bodywork and other visible points. But that is coming to an end, as the European Union has announced that this type of metallic paint is to be banned. The reason? It is a product that poses a high environmental risk and a risk to human and animal health.

Some cars use this type of paint extensively, but on many others it is found in places such as the window frames, the front grille and selected, highly visible points of the cabin, especially on high-end vehicles. From now on, this will no longer be possible, and the industry will have to find an alternative that does not pose these risks.

It is important to stress that the ban does not only affect vehicles, but also prohibits its use in all current applications where it is present. This means it may no longer be used for cutlery, metal furniture and any other use made of this product.

It seems that the manufacture of these chrome products generates a very high amount of polluting gases, a fact that has led the European Union to ban its use. This move is in line with the ban on glitter, which was prohibited a few months ago due to its high content of microplastics and its significant impact on the environment.

During the manufacturing process of chrome paint, hexavalent chromium is produced, a toxic compound that is extremely harmful through inhalation, direct skin contact and other routes. It has been established that this product causes respiratory problems, liver damage, affects the immune system and can cause several types of cancer. The polluting emissions from the chrome paint manufacturing process are estimated to be around 500 times higher than those emitted by a diesel engine, which indicates its classification as a carcinogenic product.

The industry has reacted to this new regulation and is working to replace the elements that use chrome as a decorative feature, and is working to replace it with less aggressive products. This ban affects the manufacture of vehicles and other products containing chrome from the moment it is approved, so there is no need to change the colour of your vehicle if it has chrome elements. That said, to show off an elegant Harley Davidson-style motorcycle, another process will have to be used to achieve the same intensity of shine.