Report takes a closer look at how the Nickel Institute has continued its programs of Promotion, Advocacy and Science

“Nickel is an extraordinary metal which yields many benefits for society. The Nickel Institute also recognizes there are concerns about nickel and nickel compounds and effects on human health and the environment.”

In 2010 the demand for nickel continued to grow globally. And yet, 2010 was a very challenging year for the nickel industry, its value chains and the Nickel Institute.

The Nickel Institute continued its programs of Promotion, Advocacy and Science, through NiPERA, and focused its efforts on three important areas:

Maintaining market access by ensuring compliance with regulations, especially including the European Union’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals) regulation; understanding and influencing the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling, Occupational Exposure Limits, and Environmental Quality Standards

Advocating the appropriate classification of nickel compounds in the European Union under its classification processes.

Promoting the use of nickel worldwide, especially in China, which is now the largest user of nickel and the largest producer of stainless steel which in turn is the largest first use of nickel.

According to Nickel Institute Chairman, Tim Aiken, in the recently published 2010 Nickel Institute Annual Report, “Nickel is an extraordinary metal which yields many benefits for society. The Nickel Institute also recognizes there are concerns about nickel and nickel compounds and effects on human health and the environment. For this reason the Nickel Institute engages in a wide variety of scientific research and interacts with various regulatory authorities to provide information and promote the principle that any classification regulation should be based on sound science. 2010, like previous years, was exceedingly busy in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Nickel Institute continues to promote the use of nickel-containing materials, particularly stainless steels, and especially in China, in such application areas as architecture, building and construction, food and beverage production, and water treatment and distribution."