Germany plans to forbid using sexivalent chromium in consumables

2009-09-15

The German government has planned an amendment of Consumables Regulations and requires eliminating sexivalent chromium elements in leather toys and other leather products. The requirement of this proposal is similar to the standard of personal protection equipment (PPE).
   In January 2009, the German government proposed to amend Consumables Regulation and required that the concentration of sexivalent chromium in the leather materials of toys and consumables should be lower than detectable concentration. This standard method was published in October 2008, based on approach B82.02-11 in official test method according to Foods and Feedstuff Law Article 64. The sexivalent chromium will stimulate the skin, and cause eczema and other anaphylaxis. According to clinical data, the leather gloves with 5 mg/kg concentration will cause ache and stubborn dermatitis. The sameness between the proposal’s requirement and PPE regulation is that they have the same principle in making leather products, i.e. no sexivalent chromium should be detected. The limit concentration specified in ISO 17075 ‘leather – chemical inspection - sexivalent chromium content’ or DIN EN 420 ‘protective gloves – general requirements and inspection method’ is 3mg/kg.

 

Substance	Scope	Approach	Requirement	Date of effect
Sexivalent chromium	Leather materials in consumables, e.g. toy, furniture decoration materials, garment, watch strip, wallet, bag, and moneybag.	According to B82.02-11 in official test method established according to Foods and Feedstuff Law Article 64, which was published in October 2008	Prohibited	Upon publication

In December 2008, the political agreement of abolishing 88/378/EEC Toy Safety Directive was reached and the final decision is expected. The materials for toys production can be divided into the following  category according to the migration limit: 1) dry, frangible, powder or lithe materials; 2) liquid or glutinous materials; 3) scraper painting materials. These materials must satisfy the limitation regulation of the 19    dissoluble heavy metals including sexivalent chromium.

 

Substance	Dry, frangible, powder or lithe materials (mg/kg)	Liquid or glutinous materials (mg/kg)	Scraper painting materials (mg/kg)
Dissoluble sexivalent chromium	0.02	0.005	0.2