Slags, Copper Refining

Slags, Copper Refining under REACH

With the support of ECI and the REACH Copper Consortium member experts, the joint registration dossier for slags, copper refining has been updated and successfully submitted in 2023. The substance is used solely as intermediate.

Slags, copper refining description:

Substance produced at high temperature in a liquid state, by melting mixtures of metal oxides and non-ferrous metals (from primary sources such as copper ores, matte, or anodes) or by oxidizing metals (from copper rich materials such as metals, alloys or metal oxides).  Slag from copper refining contains relatively high amounts of copper oxides or sulphides, and various amounts of other non-ferrous metals oxides.

In 2014, the joint registration dossier was extended to satisfy REACH Article 10 conditions, including the provision of a joint Chemical Safety Report (CSR).

The latest update submission has been completed in September 2023. This important update follows recommendations from the Metals and Inorganics Sectoral Approach (MISA) program and later exchanges with ECHA in this context. This substance is a complex inorganic substance, assigned as UVCB under REACH. Additional assessment reports are introduced in IUCLID section 13.2. The MISA cooperative program has been set up by ECHA and Eurometaux, the European non-ferrous metals association, to address technical and scientific issues facing the metals and inorganics sectors and to improve the registration dossiers in these sectors.

Depending on their own manufacturing and use profiles, individual members of this joint registration may have decided to register the substance in accordance with Strictly Controlled Conditions (SCC) requirements (REACH Articles 17/18), or as a full registration (REACH Article 10). ECI continues to offer Letters of Access to registrants. Please contact the Secretariat at reach@copperalliance.org for the terms & conditions, as well as the application form.

ECI’s Classification and Labelling proposals under REACH for Slags, copper refining in accordance with Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 and the CLP Regulation (EC) 1272/2008.

1. Slag, copper refining – Grade 1 (sulphide scenario, applicable to major (primary) smelting slags and slags from concentrator)
   

   Hazard Class and Category Code(s)	Hazard Statement
   Eye Damage 1 Repr. 1A Carc. 1A	H318: Causes serious eye damage H360: May damage fertility or unborn child H350: May cause cancer
   Aquatic Acute 1	H400: Very toxic to aquatic life
   Aquatic Chronic 2	H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects

2. Slag, copper refining – Grade 2 (oxide scenario, applicable to (primary and secondary) converting and refining slags)
   

   Hazard Class and Category Code(s)	Hazard Statement
   Acute Tox. 4 (oral) Acute Tox. 4 (inhalation) Eye Damage 1	H302: Harmful if swallowed H332: Harmful if inhaled H318: Causes serious eye damage
   Skin Sens. 1 STOT Rep. Exp. 1	H317: May cause an allergic skin reaction H372: Causes damage to central nervous system, blood and kidneys through prolonged or repeated exposure by inhalation or ingestion
   Carc. 1A	H350: May cause cancer
   Repr. 1A	H360: May damage fertility or the unborn child
   Aquatic Acute 1	H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
   Aquatic Chronic 2	H411: Toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.