VITO, the Flemish Institute for Technological Research was selected by Vinyl 2010 to develop an impact assessment of possible policy options for the recycling of PVC waste containing problematic legacy additives like cadmium, which is limited to 100 ppm (REACH, Annex XVII) for most applications, except profiles and roofing. Use of cadmium stabilisers was discontinued in 2001 as part of the PVC industry voluntary commitment, but recyclate from long life applications may still contain some cadmium.

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The key conclusion of this report is that removing the 100 ppm cadmium limit (or setting it at 1000 ppm) for cadmium originating from controlled-loop recycling of rigid PVC building articles offers a chance to fully exploit and extend the available recycling capacity, and therefore contributing to sustainable and efficient resource management. Likewise, introducing a 100 ppm limit for cadmium in new profiles would severely endanger recycling without offering a better environmental protection, unless an exemption or a limit of at least 1000 ppm would be granted for cadmium originating from recyclate.

This conclusion is in line with the results presented in the report commissioned to RPA by the European Commission: 'Socio-economic impact of a potential update of the restrictions on the marketing and use of cadmium', December 2009.