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Cadmium which is used throughout Europe for making metal spectacle frames will not be use restricted. This follows a review by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), that have concluded that additional regulations for the chemical were not warranted.
Following a consultation in May 2012 the Optical Federation have argued that any changes in regulations could solicit higher costs to manufacturers as all worked frames would need to be compliance checked.
The ECHA are correct in recognising that metal usage in spectacles is different from that used to make cosmetic jewellery due to the protection to the wearer of nose pads and end pieces. A statement noted that the need to restrict Cadmium in spectacle frames fell outside of Registration Evaluation Authorisation and restriction of chemicals provision that have been used since June 2007. The Optical Federation has also made a response to a previous consult on revising European legislation on medical devices on behalf of the profession. In relation to cosmetic contact lenses, it stressed that all contact lenses should be subject to 'the same harmonised standards and post-marketing vigilance systems.