Zinc metal (Zn) under REACH
Zn · 锌
Status: Registered. Zinc metal is fully registered under REACH. **Distinguishing pattern: LME (London Metal Exchange) Special High Grade Zinc (SHG, ≥99.995% Zn) is the global benchmark contract; primary mine production via flotation concentration of zinc-lead sulphide ore (sphalerite ZnS) plus secondary production via zinc-scrap + galvaniser-EAF-dust recycling (~30% of global supply); pyrometallurgical Imperial Smelting Furnace (ISF) and dominant electrolytic refining (RLE = roast-leach-electrowinning) yield refined SHG zinc. Downstream consumption split: galvanising / hot-dip + continuous-galvanising-line ~50% (corrosion-protection of automotive + construction steel) + die-casting alloys (Zamak / ZA family) ~17% + brass + bronze ~17% + chemicals (zinc oxide + zinc sulphate + zinc chloride) ~6% + battery (alkaline + Zn-air primary cells) ~16%. Major non-EU producers: Korea Zinc (Onsan Ulsan smelter, world's largest single-site zinc smelter), Nyrstar (Belgium Balen + Netherlands Budel + Australia Hobart TAS + Port Pirie SA + USA Clarksville TN), Boliden (Sweden Ronnskar + Finland Kokkola + Ireland Tara Mines), Hindustan Zinc (India Zawar + Rampura Agucha + Sindesar Khurd Rajasthan), Teck Resources (Canada Trail BC + Red Dog Alaska USA), Glencore (Switzerland trader + integrated mines + smelters across Australia + Canada + Kazakhstan + Peru), MMG (Australia Dugald River QLD + Las Bambas Peru). Major Chinese producers (China is the world's largest zinc refiner ~45% global share): Zhuzhou Smelter Group (Hunan Zhuzhou) + Yunnan Chihong Zinc Germanium (Yunnan Qujing) + Hechi Nanfang Nonferrous (Guangxi) + Liuzhou China Tin (Guangxi) + Shaanxi Dongling Zinc Industry (Baoji) + Bayannur Zijin Wuxin (Inner Mongolia); verify each producer-site pair against the producer's public website before relying.** NOT SVHC. NOT Annex XIV. **EU AD measures on Chinese-origin zinc PRODUCTS (notably continuous galvanised steel sheet under various Reg numbers including Reg (EU) 2017/1444 + successor measures) exist** (verify exact current measures per case + per producer against EUR-Lex https://eur-lex.europa.eu/ before invoicing). NOT in CBAM Phase 1 scope (CBAM covers iron / steel + aluminium, NOT zinc).
Zinc metal is fully REACH-registered. NOT SVHC, NOT Annex XIV; Aquatic Acute 1 + Chronic 1 in particulate / powder form. **LME Special High Grade Zinc (SHG, ≥99.995% Zn) is the global benchmark contract**. **EU AD measures on Chinese-origin zinc PRODUCTS (notably continuous galvanised steel sheet); verify per case + per producer at EUR-Lex before invoicing**. NOT in CBAM Phase 1 scope. **~50% galvanising + ~17% die-cast + ~17% brass + ~16% battery + ~6% chemicals downstream**. **AD/CVD on downstream galvanised steel is the practical EU-import compliance pivot.**
Listing and threshold
| Substance | Zinc metal (Zn) (CAS 7440-66-6), Zn |
|---|---|
| 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)
- Pyrophoric Liquid 2 + Self-heating Solid 1 may apply to zinc dust + zinc powder (specific particle-size + condition dependent; verify against ECHA Annex VI)
- IARC: Not classified (verify against https://monographs.iarc.who.int/ before relying)
- ADR / RID: ZINC POWDER UN 1383 Class 4.2 PG II + UN 1436 ZINC RESINATE Class 4.1 PG III + UN 1435 ZINC ASHES Class 4.3 PG III may apply at specific particle-size + form (verify against current ADR at https://unece.org/transport/dangerous-goods/adr-2025-files before consigning); massive zinc metal NOT regulated
- **LME Special High Grade Zinc contract: SHG specification ≥99.995% Zn** (verify against https://www.lme.com/ for current contract specification)
- **EU AD measures on Chinese-origin zinc PRODUCTS (notably continuous galvanised steel sheet)** exist (verify exact current measures per case + per producer against EUR-Lex https://eur-lex.europa.eu/ before invoicing)
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 at refined Zn level
- **EU AD measures on Chinese-origin zinc PRODUCTS (notably continuous galvanised steel sheet); verify per case + per producer against EUR-Lex before invoicing**
- NOT in CBAM Phase 1 scope (CBAM covers iron / steel + aluminium, NOT zinc)
Importer obligations
A non-EU producer cannot register directly under REACH for zinc substance. The EU importer of record must hold a registration or rely on an Only Representative (OR). **AD/CVD scope determination per downstream zinc-coated steel product per case + per producer at EUR-Lex.** Major non-EU producers: Korea Zinc (Onsan Ulsan smelter), Nyrstar (Australia Hobart TAS + Port Pirie SA + USA Clarksville TN + Belgium Balen + Netherlands Budel), Hindustan Zinc (India), Teck Resources (Canada Trail BC + Alaska Red Dog), Glencore (integrated mines + smelters), MMG (Australia + Peru). Major Chinese producers: Zhuzhou Smelter Group (Hunan Zhuzhou) + Yunnan Chihong (Yunnan Qujing) + Hechi Nanfang (Guangxi) + Liuzhou China Tin (Guangxi) + Shaanxi Dongling Zinc (Baoji) + Bayannur Zijin Wuxin (Inner Mongolia).
Required documents
- REACH registration number on EU side (or massive-form exemption documentation)
- SDS (Aquatic Acute 1 + Aquatic Chronic 1 in particulate / powder form; pyrophoric / self-heating where dust)
- Customs entry HS code 7901 (unwrought zinc) / 7902 (waste + scrap) / 7903-7907 (downstream products)
- ADR transport documentation UN 1383 / UN 1435 / UN 1436 where consigned in zinc powder / dust / ash form
- **AD/CVD entry documentation per downstream zinc-coated steel 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 Special High Grade Zinc (SHG, ≥99.995% Zn) global benchmark contract**
- **EU AD measures on Chinese-origin zinc PRODUCTS (notably continuous galvanised steel sheet); verify per case + per producer against EUR-Lex**
- **~50% galvanising (hot-dip + continuous-galvanising-line for automotive + construction steel) + ~17% die-cast (Zamak / ZA) + ~17% brass + bronze + ~16% battery (alkaline + Zn-air) + ~6% chemicals (ZnO + ZnSO4 + ZnCl2) downstream**
- NOT SVHC, NOT Annex XIV; Aquatic Acute 1 + Chronic 1 in particulate / powder form + zinc powder UN 1383 Class 4.2 PG II
- NOT in CBAM Phase 1 scope
- Major non-Chinese producers: Korea Zinc Onsan Ulsan + Nyrstar Hobart / Port Pirie / Clarksville / Balen / Budel + Boliden Ronnskar / Kokkola + Hindustan Zinc + Teck Trail BC / Red Dog AK + Glencore + MMG Dugald River. Major Chinese: Zhuzhou + Yunnan Chihong + Hechi Nanfang + Liuzhou China Tin + Shaanxi Dongling + Bayannur Zijin Wuxin.
Where to read next
For substance-level identifiers (formula, molecular weight, SMILES, InChIKey), GHS hazard profile, IMDG transport class, and full sourcing reference for zinc metal (zn), see the CAS 7440-66-6 sourcing reference.
For grade-by-grade buying notes, freight maths, supplier-tier pricing, and a worked landed-cost example, the zinc metal (zn) 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
Zinc metal (Zn) under TSCA
United States of America listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
Regulatory
Zinc metal (Zn) under IECSC
People's Republic of China listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
Regulatory
Zinc metal (Zn) under AICIS
Australia listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
Regulatory
Zinc metal (Zn) under K-REACH
Republic of Korea listing status, classifications, importer obligations.
CAS
CAS 7440-66-6 sourcing reference
Identifiers, hazard profile, IMDG transport class, and supplier geography for Zinc metal (Zn).
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)
Zinc metal (Zn) under TSCA
United States of America compliance profile for Zinc metal (Zn).
Zinc metal (Zn) under IECSC
People's Republic of China compliance profile for Zinc metal (Zn).
Zinc metal (Zn) under AICIS
Australia compliance profile for Zinc metal (Zn).
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.