Europe is Banning Chrome for 2024

[Ronniemoto]

In a recent move that we totally forgot was coming, the EU is banning the chroming of cars and motorcycles.​

This action, according to Euro Weekly News, will cut out a process that “can emit pollutants over 500 times more toxic than those from diesel engines.”

Apparently, the ban announcement was made in 2017 during the REACH directive (think MADD but for regulation and safe use of chemicals). Europe was given seven years – until this year – to “seek alternatives.”



A view of the chrome present in Triumph’s Chrome Collection. Media provided by Triumph Motorcycles.

What kind of chrome is being phased out? ​

Hexavalent chromium – chromium-6 or Cr(VI) – is used in the process of welding, spray painting, and acid dipping. Known to cause lung and nose cancer, the stuff is particularly bad for you if airborne and inhaled, being archived as a lung and nose cancer, as well as a cause for liver damage and reproductive issues.

Wikipedia tells us the stuff was produced in quantities upwards of 136,000 tonnes (150,000 tons) in 1985, thanks in part to the era’s prolific love for the stuff as a protective and decorative coating.

Today, chroming is still a popular process for custom builds, with vintage and classic machines continuing to desire authentic componentry.



Norton’s V4SS Chrome. Media provided by the Bike Specialists.

Are older machines affected by this chrome ban?​

There are too many beautiful vintage automobiles and motorcycles in Europe to ban the stuff completely; instead, we’re told that the phase-out will only be for MY2024 machines onward.

Existing machines are safe for the time being, though any change of color to a vehicle must still be reported to the Direccion General de Trafico (DGT) and insurance providers “to comply with regulations and insurance policies.”

the ban, by the way, also floats over newer machines like Triumph’s Chrome Collection, Norton’s V4SS, and a slew of Harleys( including the 2023 Harley-Davidson Road Glide® Special).

What do you think of Europe’s ban on new chrome?

*Media provided by the Bike Specialists, as well as Triumph and CycleWorld*​

The post Europe is Banning Chrome for 2024 appeared first on webBikeWorld.

Source...

If it's that dangerous and it's been known for years they must have had time enough to come to a suitable solution. So, it's like asbestos, ban the stuff and replace it with something else. No big deal, I can't understand how people can be against it. It could save lives and there are alternatives already.

 

[sikatri]

I read this applies to new cars and I suppose new motorcycles. Apparently other technologies exist, such as nickel tungsten to replace chrome. Digging deeper this means many components will need to replaced with ones made alternative methods, shocks for instance. If this is occurring now in 2024 then are these products already in production and being put in cars? There’s vast industrial application of chrome in machinery so I’m guessing this is something more than just banning chrome fenders. I would guess that such a change needs to be applied to all components and industrial parts not just when the same or similar part is installed in a motorcycle or automobile. Since this doesn’t affect older automobiles and motorcycles, it would mean there’s going to be the older chrome options being applied for a significant number of years. I guess my thought is if the intent is no chrome in automobiles and motorcycles in 2024, that is now, then the manufacturers should be building these machines using the new components. Are there shocks made with nickel tungsten or some other in the 2024 vehicles? Realistically this effects aerospace and other industries like building construction as well, so why the emphasis on singling out automobiles and motorcycles or is this singling out just a media distortion and the ban applies to all new industrial and construction as well? I’m very curious how this process is going to work out and the transition has had to have been in the works for some time already if this year is the start date.

 

[Ronniemoto]

I read this applies to new cars and I suppose new motorcycles. Apparently other technologies exist, such as nickel tungsten to replace chrome. Digging deeper this means many components will need to replaced with ones made alternative methods, shocks for instance. If this is occurring now in 2024 then are these products already in production and being put in cars? There’s vast industrial application of chrome in machinery so I’m guessing this is something more than just banning chrome fenders. I would guess that such a change needs to be applied to all components and industrial parts not just when the same or similar part is installed in a motorcycle or automobile. Since this doesn’t affect older automobiles and motorcycles, it would mean there’s going to be the older chrome options being applied for a significant number of years. I guess my thought is if the intent is no chrome in automobiles and motorcycles in 2024, that is now, then the manufacturers should be building these machines using the new components. Are there shocks made with nickel tungsten or some other in the 2024 vehicles? Realistically this effects aerospace and other industries like building construction as well, so why the emphasis on singling out automobiles and motorcycles or is this singling out just a media distortion and the ban applies to all new industrial and construction as well? I’m very curious how this process is going to work out and the transition has had to have been in the works for some time already if this year is the start date.

The way I understand it is that the dangerous part is the production of the chrome and once it's done it is safe. So all the existing chrome should be fine not the production of new parts. New safe production methods have to be applied from 2024.

 

[nickjaxe]

THANK GOD US IN THE UK GOT OUT OF THE EU......THE EU IS FULL OF NONE ELECTED CRACKPOTS.

 

[CarlS]

THANK GOD US IN THE UK GOT OUT OF THE EU......THE EU IS FULL OF NONE ELECTED CRACKPOTS.

While I agree with you. Let's move away from politics.

 

[Rocky]

While I agree with you. Let's move away from politics.

Thanks Carl, I was about to say the same thing.
Enough with the venting. Stick with the subject. This isn't Facebook or a social media platform.
Probably enough has already been said about it anyway.