Refinables

Refinables are: 

• inorganic UVCBs, complex substances 

• produced during the refining and recycling of precious metals 

• whose inherent variability requires an alternative constituent based risk assessment approach 

More specifically, precious metals refinables are non-waste complex UVCB (unknown or variable composition, complex reaction products or of biological materials) intermediates resulting from a primary and/or secondary refining stream containing precious metals. The complexity of these refining streams results from the fact that they arise from a variety of non-ferrous metals refining streams with a valuable presence of precious metals. 

The variability within each type of refinable is influenced by the source of the refining material as well as by the specificities of the process which is applied to receive the precious metal content. Precious metals refinables are amongst the most representative examples of all UVCB substances falling under the scope of the REACH Regulation.  

UVCB specific risk assessment (hazard assessment based on constituents, exposure assessment based on monitoring data) has been a topic of many exchanges between Eurometaux, different consortia and ECHA dating back to 2010.  

The EPMF covers 14 precious metals refinables and the maintenance of the dossiers started in 2011. The EPMF actively engages in keeping all refinables dossiers up to date by:  

• following up compliance duties according Article 22 (1) of the REACH Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/1435 (which is significantly affected/impacted by the UVCB constituent-based assessment approach) 

• monitoring campaigns to check registrant update needs 

Registration and Timeline

Precious Metals Refinables Inventory
(Including Classifications and ID Cards)