SGS CONSUMER TESTING SERVICES HARDLINES, SOFTLINES NO. 160/11 AUG 2011 SAFEGUARDS NEW EUROPEAN TEST METHOD FOR NICKEL RELEASE PUBLISHED A revision to the European standard EN 1811:2011¹ has been published recently. The new method is a reference test method of the release of nickel from all post assemblies (ear studs and body piercing articles) which are inserted into pierced parts of the human body and articles intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin. The existing method ‘EN 1811:1998+A1:2008’ will be repealed in March 2013. The new method has a number of changes to the existing standard ‘EN 1811:1998+A1:2008’ on the release of nickel, including substances used in the preparation of the sweat solution and the expression of results. Highlights of the new method, including a comparison with the existing standard method ‘EN 1811:1998+A1:2008’, are summarised in Table 1 (see following page). ¹ EN 1811/2011 ² REACH Annex XVII ³ EN 16128:2011
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SGS CONSUMER TESTING SERVICES
HARDLINES, SOFTLINES NO. 160/11 AUG 2011
SAFEGUARDS
NEW EUROPEAN TEST METHOD FOR NICKEL RELEASE PUBLISHED A revision to the European standard EN 1811:2011¹ has been published recently. The new method is a reference test method of the release of nickel from all post assemblies (ear studs and body piercing articles) which are inserted into pierced parts of the human body and articles intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin.
The existing method ‘EN
1811:1998+A1:2008’ will be repealed in March 2013. The new method has a
number of changes to the existing
standard ‘EN 1811:1998+A1:2008’ on
the release of nickel, including substances used in the preparation of
the sweat solution and the expression
of results.
Highlights of the new method,
including a comparison with the
existing standard method ‘EN
1811:1998+A1:2008’, are summarised in Table 1 (see following page).
Scope Conformity with release of nickel under ANNEX XVII of REACH², number 27 Articles intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with skin Post assemblies which are inserted into pierced parts of the human body including ears
Articles intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin
Principle Place article in artificial sweat solution for 1 week follow by instrumentation Result expressed in g/cm²/week
Jewellery Products
Articles to be tested in component form unless disassembled component parts could result in unacceptable damage to surface to be tested
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Exemption Spectacle frames and sunglasses (test standard is EN 16128:2011³) -----
Based on a 46% measurement uncertainty of this method as given in the standard, conformity assessment is based on the following: 0.5 g/cm²/week limit (non-body piercing) Pass 0.28 g/cm²/week Inconclusive > 0.28 g/cm²/week but < 0.88 g/cm²/week (material composition of tested article can be unsuitable and alternative materials should be used)
Fail 0.88 g/cm²/week 0.2 g/cm²/week limit (body piercing) Pass 0.11 g/cm²/week Inconclusive > 0.11 but < 0.35 g/cm²/week (material composition of tested article can be unsuitable and alternative materials should be used)
Fail 0.35 g/cm²/week
Test result x 0.1 followed by comparison of limit and test result
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relating to consumer products as a complimentary service.
Throughout our global network of laboratories, we are able to provide a range of
services, including analytical testing and consultancy on the release of nickel and
other restricted substances in a comprehensive range of consumer products for the
