Today's coating challenges are often a result of environmental restrictions or legislation. These restrictions have greatly reduced the use of cadmium and lead but the finishing industry is still reliant on the use of hexavalent chromium and other compounds to improve corrosion protection. However, recently proposed legislation domestically, as well as from overseas, threatens the continued use of these compounds. This report discusses the finishing industry's response to these new restrictions and reviews some readily available technologies that will meet these new requirements.