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Corrosion Protection

RoHS and Cr6-Free: Why Exports Need Trivalent Zinc Plating

Hexavalent chromium (Cr6) is restricted under RoHS, so modern zinc plating uses trivalent (Cr3+) chromate. Here is what that means for you.

5 min read · Updated May 10, 2026

One plant in Samut Sakhon, ThailandSmall steel parts in bulk — screws, nuts, boltsQuote within 24 hours

A shallow-depth-of-field close-up of bright zinc-plated pan-head Phillips screws scattered on a glossy surface, catching blue-white highlights.
Clear-passivated zinc. Even brightness across the whole lot is what a customer’s eye checks before any thickness figure.

Cr6+ vs Cr3+

Old chromates used hexavalent chromium (Cr6)—great protection but toxic and carcinogenic, hence restricted under RoHS/REACH.

Trivalent (Cr3+) chromate uses a safer form of chromium, giving comparable protection while meeting environmental rules.

Why it matters

Parts exported to the EU/Japan, or feeding automotive/electronics supply chains, usually mandate Cr6-free.

Using Cr6 can mean a whole lot rejected or a customer lost—choosing Cr3+ up front is safer.

Our plating

We zinc-plate with a trivalent (Cr3+) chromate system, Cr6-free and RoHS-ready.

We can issue process confirmation and salt-spray test results with your order on request.

FAQ

Does Cr3+ match Cr6 for corrosion?+

A good Cr3+ system (with a sealer) matches or approaches Cr6 in many jobs and can pass salt spray to spec.

Do you provide RoHS documentation?+

Yes—Cr6-free process confirmation plus corrosion test results to attach to your job.

Is Cr3+ required for domestic work?+

Not always, but it is recommended—safer and future-proof for export.

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