Copper metal (Cu) under REACH
Cu · 铜
Status: Registered. Copper metal is fully registered under REACH. **Distinguishing pattern: LME (London Metal Exchange) Copper Grade A (Cu-CATH-1, ≥99.9935% Cu) is the global benchmark contract; primary mine production via flotation concentration of porphyry-copper sulphide ore (chalcopyrite CuFeS2 + bornite Cu5FeS4) plus secondary production via copper-scrap recycling (~30 to 35% of global supply); pyrometallurgical smelting (flash + Outokumpu + Mitsubishi processes) plus electrorefining yield refined cathode copper. ~70% of refined copper goes to electrical / electronic conductors (cable + wire + winding); remaining ~30% to copper tube (plumbing + HVAC), copper sheet / strip / plate (roofing + architecture + heat exchanger), copper alloy (brass + bronze), and chemical / specialty applications. Major non-EU integrated mine + smelter producers: Codelco (Chile), BHP (Chile Escondida + Spence + Olympic Dam Australia), Freeport-McMoRan (USA + Indonesia + Peru + Chile), Glencore (DRC + Zambia + Australia + Chile), Rio Tinto (Mongolia Oyu Tolgoi + USA Kennecott UT), Antofagasta (Chile), Anglo American Quellaveco (Peru), Southern Copper (Peru + Mexico). Major Chinese refined copper producers (China is the largest refiner globally with ~45% share, but a structural net-importer of cathode copper given limited domestic mine output): Jiangxi Copper Corporation (Guixi smelter + refinery), Tongling Nonferrous Metals (Anhui Tongling smelter), Yunnan Copper (Kunming smelter), Daye Nonferrous (Hubei Huangshi smelter), Zijin Mining (Fujian Zijin), China Copper. Verify each producer-site pair against the producer's public website before relying.** NOT SVHC. NOT Annex XIV. EU AD/CVD on Chinese-origin copper PRODUCTS (foil, sheet, strip, tube) exists across multiple downstream-product cases; NOT typically on refined copper cathode itself (verify against EUR-Lex https://eur-lex.europa.eu/ before invoicing). **EU CBAM Phase 1 (mandatory reporting from 1 October 2023; financial obligation from 1 January 2026 for cement + iron / steel + aluminium + fertilisers + electricity + hydrogen) does NOT cover refined copper; copper is a Phase 2 candidate** (verify against EUR-Lex CBAM Reg (EU) 2023/956 + future Commission delegated acts).
Copper metal is fully REACH-registered. NOT SVHC, NOT Annex XIV; Aquatic Acute 1 + Chronic 1 in particulate / powder form only. **LME Copper Grade A (Cu-CATH-1, ≥99.9935% Cu) is the global benchmark contract**. **EU AD measures on Chinese-origin downstream copper PRODUCTS (foil + sheet + strip + tube) across multiple cases; NOT typically on refined cathode copper itself**. **EU CBAM Phase 2 candidate** (NOT in Phase 1 scope). **AD/CVD scope determination is per downstream product + per producer; structural EU import dependency on refined cathode given limited EU mine output.**
Listing and threshold
| Substance | Copper metal (Cu) (CAS 7440-50-8), Cu |
|---|---|
| Regime | EU Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals |
| Jurisdiction | European Union (EU-27 plus EEA: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) |
| Status | Registered |
| Tonnage threshold | Registration required for any importer or manufacturer placing >1 t/year on the EU market (massive metal-form exemptions may apply; verify against ECHA guidance for substances in massive form) |
Classifications under this regime
- Aquatic Acute 1 + Aquatic Chronic 1: H400 + H410 in particulate / powder form per harmonised CLP (verify exact harmonised classification including massive-form exemption against ECHA Annex VI to CLP Table 3.1 before relying)
- IARC: Not classified (verify against https://monographs.iarc.who.int/ before relying)
- ADR / RID: NOT regulated as dangerous goods in massive metal form
- **LME Copper Grade A contract: Cu-CATH-1 specification ≥99.9935% Cu** (verify against https://www.lme.com/ for current contract specification)
- **EU AD measures on Chinese-origin downstream copper PRODUCTS (foil + sheet + strip + tube) exist across multiple cases; NOT typically on refined cathode copper itself** (verify exact current measures + duty rates per case + per producer against EUR-Lex https://eur-lex.europa.eu/ before invoicing)
- **EU CBAM Phase 1 does NOT cover refined copper; copper is a Phase 2 candidate (verify against EUR-Lex CBAM Reg (EU) 2023/956 + future Commission delegated acts)**
Restrictions and conditions of use
- NOT on REACH Annex XIV authorisation list (verify against ECHA https://echa.europa.eu/authorisation-list)
- NOT classified as SVHC (verify against ECHA https://echa.europa.eu/candidate-list-table)
- NOT subject to any Annex XVII restriction
- **EU AD measures on Chinese-origin downstream copper PRODUCTS (foil + sheet + strip + tube): verify per case + per producer against EUR-Lex before invoicing**
- NOT in CBAM Phase 1 scope; Phase 2 candidate
Importer obligations
A non-EU producer cannot register directly under REACH for copper substance. The EU importer of record must hold a registration or rely on an Only Representative (OR). **AD/CVD scope determination per downstream copper product (foil / sheet / strip / tube) per case + per producer at EUR-Lex.** Major non-EU mine + smelter producers: Codelco (Chile El Teniente + Chuquicamata + Andina), BHP (Chile Escondida + Spence + Olympic Dam Australia), Freeport-McMoRan (Indonesia Grasberg + USA Morenci AZ + Peru Cerro Verde + Chile El Abra), Glencore (DRC Katanga + Zambia Mopani + Australia Mount Isa QLD + Chile Lomas Bayas), Rio Tinto (Mongolia Oyu Tolgoi + USA Kennecott UT), Antofagasta (Chile Los Pelambres + Centinela), Anglo American Quellaveco (Peru), Southern Copper (Peru Toquepala + Cuajone + Mexico Buenavista). Major Chinese refiners (China is the world's largest refiner): Jiangxi Copper Corporation (Guixi smelter + refinery), Tongling Nonferrous Metals (Anhui Tongling), Yunnan Copper (Kunming), Daye Nonferrous (Hubei Huangshi), Zijin Mining (Fujian Zijin), China Copper.
Required documents
- REACH registration number on EU side (or massive-form exemption documentation)
- SDS (Aquatic Acute 1 + Aquatic Chronic 1 in particulate / powder form)
- Customs entry HS code 7403 (refined copper cathode) / 7404 (copper waste + scrap) / 7407-7411 (downstream products)
- No ADR documentation required in massive metal form
- **AD/CVD entry documentation per downstream product case + per producer where Chinese-origin (verify against EUR-Lex per case)**
- LME warehouse warrant where contract delivery (LME-listed brand)
Common compliance traps
The pitfalls that have bitten importers on this lane in the past. None of these is theoretical.
- **LME Copper Grade A (Cu-CATH-1, ≥99.9935% Cu) global benchmark contract**
- **EU AD measures on Chinese-origin downstream copper PRODUCTS (foil + sheet + strip + tube) across multiple cases; NOT typically on refined cathode copper itself (verify per case + per producer against EUR-Lex)**
- **EU CBAM Phase 2 candidate (NOT in Phase 1 scope; financial obligation begins 1 January 2026 for Phase 1 sectors only)**
- NOT SVHC, NOT Annex XIV, Aquatic Acute 1 + Chronic 1 in particulate / powder form only
- **~70% electrical / electronic conductors (cable + wire) + ~30% copper tube + sheet / strip + alloy (brass + bronze) + chemical downstream; secondary scrap recycling ~30 to 35% of global supply**
- Major non-EU producers: Codelco + BHP + Freeport-McMoRan + Glencore + Rio Tinto + Antofagasta + Anglo American + Southern Copper. Major Chinese refiners: Jiangxi Copper + Tongling + Yunnan Copper + Daye + Zijin + China Copper.
Where to read next
For substance-level identifiers (formula, molecular weight, SMILES, InChIKey), GHS hazard profile, IMDG transport class, and full sourcing reference for copper metal (cu), see the CAS 7440-50-8 sourcing reference.
For grade-by-grade buying notes, freight maths, supplier-tier pricing, and a worked landed-cost example, the copper metal (cu) cornerstone hub covers the full sourcing chain.
For the structure and history of REACH, see the REACH glossary entry.
Need cross-jurisdiction compliance support on this substance? Run it through the REACH / TSCA / IECSC / AICIS / K-REACH checker, or send us the substance and the destination and we will quote FOB China and CIF / DDP landed including the regulatory work on the destination side.
Read next
Cross-jurisdiction profile and sourcing references
Regulatory
Copper metal (Cu) under TSCA
United States of America listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
Regulatory
Copper metal (Cu) under IECSC
People's Republic of China listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
Regulatory
Copper metal (Cu) under AICIS
Australia listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
Regulatory
Copper metal (Cu) under K-REACH
Republic of Korea listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
CAS
CAS 7440-50-8 sourcing reference
Identifiers, hazard profile, IMDG transport class, and supplier geography for Copper metal (Cu).
Glossary
REACH, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
EU chemical regulation requiring importers and manufacturers to register every substance manufactured or imported into the EU above 1 tonne per year. Registration is identity-based and dossier-based, not inventory-lookup-based, which makes it stricter than TSCA in the US.
Referenced in
5 pages across the Sourzi moat
This term shows up in 4 regulatory pages, 1 CAS profiles. Sample backlinks per content type below.
Regulatory (4)
Copper metal (Cu) under TSCA
United States of America compliance profile for Copper metal (Cu).
Copper metal (Cu) under IECSC
People's Republic of China compliance profile for Copper metal (Cu).
Copper metal (Cu) under AICIS
Australia compliance profile for Copper metal (Cu).
Plus 1 more regulatory pages.
Free download
Free PDF: the same MSDS verification template the Sourzi team uses to cross-reference factory documents against TSCA, REACH, AICIS, and CDR before booking.