CEN Issues CEN/TR 12471:2022 for Nickel Screening
In February 2022, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) published CEN/TR 12471:2022 'Screening test for the presence of nickel in articles which are inserted into pierced parts of the human body and articles intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin', which supersedes CR 12471:2002. This latest screening method is based on the formation of a red colored metal complex when nickel ions react with dimethylglyoxime in the presence of ammonia. It contains a pretreatment step where artificial sweat and heat are used to induce corrosion of the surface to increase the sensitivity of the test, and a detailed procedure for confirmation of the presence of nickel using dithiooxamide.
CEN/TR 12471:2022 contains several important points:
- Clarifies that the reference method for nickel release is EN 1811 (or EN 16128 for spectacle frames and sunglasses);
- Emphasizes that a quantitative test using EN 1811, or EN 12472 followed by EN 1811, can be carried out to verify compliance with entry 27 to Annex XVII of REACH Regulation ((EC) 1907/2006);
Advises that a positive result in the screening test may not be compliant with the respective nickel release limits falling under entry 27 to Annex XVII of REACH.
EU RAPEX 2021 annual report published
According to the European Commission's annual Safety Gate report, published on 25 April, 2022, 2,142 alerts in total were circulated in 2021. The figure remains largely the same as that reported in the previous five years. And 4,965 actions were taken by other members in the network in response to those alerts. The presence of hazardous substances in consumer goods accounted for a quarter of all product risks. The findings highlight recurring problems with products – particularly in toys and in products sold online. Chemicals have remained the second most common risk notification for three years in a row (after injuries). As in previous years, concerns over the presence of phthalates, such as bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), in plastic came high on the list. Notifications also concerned excessive levels of lead in metals, and nickel in various materials.
TBEP, TPHP, EHDP and TBBPA detected in high concentrations in consumer products
Recently, according to the research report carried out by Norwegian Institute for Air Research (NILU), additives such as organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and chlorinated substances were found in consumer products including extension cords, electrical sockets, personal computers, mouse devices, flooring, wallpaper, etc. Ten of the chemical additives targeted were observed in detectable concentrations in at least one product group and four in multiple product groups. The following four additives were found in high concentrations in several products:
| Substance |
Products detected |
| Tris(2-butoxyethyl) phosphate (TBEP) |
Flooring, wallpaper |
| Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) |
Flooring, wallpaper, upholstery, computer mouse devices |
| 2-ethylhexyldiphenyl phosphate (EHDP) |
Wallpaper, mouse devices |
| 2,2',6,6'-tetrabromo-4,4'- isopropylidenediphenol (TBBPA) |
Mouse devices, personal computers |