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FAR and DFARS › DFARS Part 223: Environment, Sustainable Acquisition, and Material Safety › Subpart 223.73

DFARS 223.7305 Authorization and approval.

The codified text (eCFR, as of 2026-10-02). Under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul ↗, agencies follow class deviations with new text for many parts while the formal rules go through the Federal Register: check the solicitation and your contract's clauses, which rule.

In plain English

This section explains when the ban on hexavalent chromium in defense items can be set aside for critical defense applications where no substitute meets performance needs. It also requires that, unless another exception applies, any use of hexavalent chromium in items acquired by DoD be specifically authorized by a senior official. Contractors should understand that hexavalent chromium use is generally prohibited unless a high-level authorization or exception applies.

Applies to: DoD acquisitions involving hexavalent chromium in critical defense applications

What it requires

  • DoD Program Managers must consider the listed factors when weighing hexavalent chromium versus substitutes
  • Unless an exception in 223.7304 applies, incorporation of hexavalent chromium in items acquired by DoD must be specifically authorized at a level no lower than a general or flag officer or a member of the Senior Executive Service from the Program Executive Office or equivalent level, in coordination
  • Follow the procedures in PGI 223.7305

Key terms: hexavalent chromium · critical defense applications · substitute · DoD Manufacturing Readiness Level · Corrosion Control and Prevention Executive

Written by AI from this section's text. A guide, not legal advice: the text below rules.

The text

(a) The prohibition in 223.7303 does not apply to critical defense applications if no substitute can meet performance requirements. The DoD policy of April 8, 2009, “Minimizing the Use of Hexavalent Chromium,” contains requirements for weighing hexavalent chromium versus substitutes. DoD Program Managers must consider the following factors—

(1) Cost effectiveness of alternative materials or processes;

(2) Technical feasibility of alternative materials or processes;

(3) Environment, safety, and occupational health risks associated with the use of the hexavalent chromium or substitute materials in each specific application;

(4) Achieving a DoD Manufacturing Readiness Level of at least eight for any qualified alternative;

(5) Materiel availability of hexavalent chromium and the proposed alternatives over the projected life span of the system; and

(6) Corrosion performance difference of alternative materials or processes as determined by agency corrosion subject matter experts.

(b) However, unless an exception in 223.7304 applies, the incorporation of hexavalent chromium in items acquired by DoD shall be specifically authorized at a level no lower than a general or flag officer or a member of the Senior Executive Service from the Program Executive Office or equivalent level, in coordination with the component Corrosion Control and Prevention Executive. Follow the procedures in PGI 223.7305.

Sections it refers to

Sections that refer to it

← 223.7304 Exceptions. · 223.7306 Contract clause. →

Rule changes for DFARS Part 223

Source: eCFR, 48 CFR chapters 1 and 2 (GPO GovInfo bulk data) ↗. Plain words for the terms: glossary.

DFARS 223.7305 Authorization and approval · SpendQuery