It has been prohibited in the EU in a number of plastic articles since 1992, but was still allowed in some rigid PVC as at that time alternatives were not available on the market.
Alates 1992. aastast on kaadmiumi kasutamine paljudes plastiktoodetes keelatud, kuid mõnes jäigas PVC-tootes oli kasutamine siiski lubatud, kuna sel ajal ei olnud turul asendusaineid.