Delving Into the World of Precious and Rare Earth Metals

The rare-earth elements (REE), alternatively known as rare-earth metals, rare earths, or, in certain contexts, rare-earth oxides, along with the lanthanides (with the caveat that yttrium and scandium, though not traditionally part of this group, are typically grouped with rare earths), consist of 17 nearly identical, radiant silvery-white, pliable heavy metals. Compounds incorporating rare earths find a wide array of uses in electrical and electronic components, lasers, glass production, magnetic materials, and various industrial procedures.

Precious metals represent a category of scarce, naturally existing metallic chemical elements boasting significant economic worth. Among them, noble metals stand out for their enhanced resistance to corrosion and comparatively low chemical reactivity when juxtaposed with most elements. Typically endowed with ductility and a remarkable shine, precious metals occupy a distinctive place in various industries and investments due to their inherent value and desirable properties.

Legal background and requirements:

The France Decree No 2022-748 has made it mandatory from 1 January 2023 to provide consumers with information on the environmental qualities and characteristics of waste-generating products including precious and rare earth metals.

France Decree No 2022-748:

On April 29th, 2022, France introduced a novel environmental labelling regulation. Under Decree 2022-748, part of the French Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy Law (AGEC), this regulation holds particular significance for producers, importers, dealers, and even e-commerce platforms vending products within France. Henceforth, all enterprises operating on the French market will be mandated to highlight the environmental attributes and features of both their packaging and products.

Regulatory aim:

Regulations aim to raise consumer awareness about the environmental impact of waste-generating products and encourage responsible consumption habits. This may involve labelling requirements to inform consumers about product recyclability, energy efficiency, and environmental certifications.

The aim with the Decree is make the environmental impact of a product more transparent and available, so the consumer can make a conscious decision. But the aim is also to change the production methods of companies and the consumption patterns of consumers.

The collection of information on precious and rare earth metals is required for all waste‑generating products intended for consumers, including electrical and electronic consumer products such as home appliances placed on the French market.

ComplianceXL recognizes the importance of monitoring Precious & Rare Earth Metals in electrical and electronic consumer products, such as home appliances, provided by our suppliers. To ensure transparency and compliance, we require suppliers to disclose whether their products contain Precious & Rare Earth Metals through a Full Material Declaration (FMD) or a compliance declaration specific to these substances. In instances where suppliers lack their own declaration forms, ComplianceXL offers a standardized compliance template tailored for Precious & Rare Earth Metals. We diligently track the presence and concentration (at levels of 1mg or above) of these metals in customer parts, offering detailed feedback on the findings from our Precious & Rare Earth Metals survey to our clients. Additionally, ComplianceXL delivers targeted training programs on compliance requirements related to Precious & Rare Earth Metals, empowering businesses to stay abreast of and navigate the evolving regulatory landscape, including adherence to France’s Decree No 2022-748 concerning Precious & Rare Earth Metals. This comprehensive approach ensures our clients are well-informed and compliant with current regulations.

FAQs:

1.What is Precious & Rare Earth Metals?

Precious metals are naturally occurring metallic elements that have high economic value due to their rarity, beauty, and resistance to corrosion. Examples include gold, silver, platinum, and palladium.

Rare earth metals are a group of 17 chemical elements in the periodic table, including elements such as lanthanum, cerium, and neodymium. Despite their name, they are relatively abundant in the Earth’s crust but are rarely found in concentrated deposits.

2.What is France Decree No 2022-748

On April 29th, 2022, France introduced a novel environmental labelling regulation. Under Decree 2022-748, part of the French Anti-Waste for a Circular Economy Law (AGEC), this regulation holds particular significance for producers, importers, dealers, and even e-commerce platforms vending products within France.