EU Introduces New Test Standard for ‘Accelerated Wear and Corrosion for Nickel Release from Coated Items’

The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has published a new method for simulating wear and corrosion for the detection of nickel release from coated items.

Published in September 2020, EN 12472:2020 ‘Method for the simulation of accelerated wear and corrosion for the detection of nickel release from coated items’, should be used prior to detecting nickel release from coated articles that come into direct and prolonged contact with human skin.

The new version introduces several important changes to the previous iteration (EN 12472:2005+A1:2009). These include:

• Clarification on the standard’s scope – it does not apply to articles with a nickel-containing outer coating and those which are inserted into pierced ears and other parts of the human body

• Requires granules to be composed of coconut outer shells that are ground and sieved to give a mixture of particles with dimensions of 0.8 – 1.3 mm

• Strengthens DL-lactic acid purity to be greater than 88% for the preparation of the corrosive medium

• Addition of references to the latest versions of the following standards for nickel release:

1. EN 1811 ‘Reference test method for release from nickel from all post assemblies which are inserted into pierced parts of the human body and articles intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin’

1. EN 16128 ‘Ophthalmic optics – Reference method for the testing of spectacle frames and sunglasses for nickel release’

• States that CR 12471 can be used as a method for obtaining indicative information on the extend of nickel release or the presence of nickel

Member States are required to give EN 12472:2020 the status of a national standard, with conflicting standards being withdrawn, by March 2021. 

It is expected EN 12472:2020 will be harmonized under Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 ‘Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)’ upon official acceptance by the European Commission (EC) and by publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).

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