(Headline) Lithium salts could be declared health hazard in EU

(Excerpt) However, the entire concept could falter with the European Commission’s upcoming legislation. Namely, it is considering the proposal from the European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, to declare key lithium salts hazardous for human health, Reuters reported. If lithium carbonate, lithium chloride and lithium hydroxide are classified as dangerous, it would complicate the import procedure, production and handling of the materials.

ECHA’s Risk Assessment Committee accepted the demand from France in September to classify lithium salts as damaging for fertility and unborn children and to declare the substances harmful for breastfed children.

Adding lithium salts to the list of materials hazardous for health may prompt the revision of a range of projects in the industry

Stricter rules mean higher costs, so any lithium ore processing plant project, like the one in the Jadar area in Serbia, would need to be given a second look with regard to its environmental impact and feasibility.

Albemarle, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has indicated it may be forced to close its plant in Langelsheim in north Germany if the plan is accepted. In that case, Chief Financial Officer Scott Tozier said, the company wouldn’t be able to import lithium chloride, its primary feedstock.

The unit’s annual revenue is USD 500 million and the plant has over 600 employees. Tozier warned a decision to declare lithium salts hazardous would prompt an exodus of EU producers including battery recyclers.

The decision is expected to be reached by early next year, the article adds.

https://balkangreenenergynews.com/lithium-salts-could-be-declared-health-hazard-in-eu/

(Headline) European Union Warned ‘Lithium Hazard’ Classification Could Endanger Battery Investments

European Union warned ‘lithium hazard’ classification could endanger battery investments.

Draft proposals that might imply the lithium utilized in electric car batteries is designated as a hazardous materials within the EU may choke-off investments at an important time for the bloc’s nascent battery manufacturing business, a number one international chemical substances producer has instructed BESJ.

Battery business leaders have already condemned the proposals* by the European Chemical substances Company’s Committee for Danger Evaluation (RAC) that counsel lithium carbonate, chloride and hydroxide ought to obtain a ‘Class 1A’ (a recognized human carcinogen) classification.

https://batteriesnews.com/european-union-warned-lithium-hazard-classification-could-endanger-battery-investments/

(Headline) Energy Transition Goals At Risk As EU May Label Lithium As Toxic

European Commission could move to put lithium on a list of toxic substances.

This piece of regulation could drive up prices across the battery supply chain.

Should the European Commission take this decision, it may undermine the EU’s energy security.

A potential European Commission (EC) act to classify lithium as a Category 1A reproductive toxin in this year’s fourth quarter could undermine the European Union (EU)’s attempt to create and support a domestic battery materials supply chain.

The EU currently relies heavily on imports of lithium to supply its nascent electric vehicle (EV) production sector and the classification may increase its reliance on other regions, at a time when the union is focused on energy security and reducing emissions. Europe has announced plans to expand lithium battery-grade Li Carbonate production from nothing today to 8.3% of global production by 2025, according to Rystad Energy research.

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/energy-transition-goals-risk-eu-may-label-lithium-toxic