© 2011 itsa Ltd on behalf of the Trading Standards Institute.
Nickel and cadmium in jewellery and clothing are covered by legislation - products that come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin (for example, earrings, wristwatches, rivets and zips) must not release nickel more quickly than a specific rate. There are additional specific rules for post assemblies for use in piercings, and some lower tolerances for products with just a nickel coating. Cadmium is toxic and is therefore also subject to restrictions.
If you are not the manufacturer, you should check with your supplier that the products comply with the Regulations. This could involve asking to see test certificates, or auditing your suppliers if you are a large retailer. If you are a manufacturer, you would normally be expected to have tested your products to ensure that they comply.
In the guide
The legislation
Nickel and cadmium
Nickel in products
Cadmium in products
What should I do to make sure I comply?
Failure to comply
The legislation
The REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008 (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulate the use of nickel and cadmium.
Anyone who supplies products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin, and that may contain nickel or its compounds or cadmium will be affacted by the Regulations. Examples are as follows:
- earrings and other body piercing items
- necklaces, bracelets, chains, anklets and finger rings
- wristwatch cases, watch straps and tighteners
- rivets, rivet buttons, tighteners, zips, and metal marks contained or intended to be used in garments
Nickel and cadmium
Nickel is one of the most abundant metallic elements, likely to be found in most metals in trace quantities, including coins. Evidence suggests that a nickel sensitivity reaction is unlikely to occur at concentrations below 100ppm or 0.01% by mass.
Cadmium is a heavy metal that has been used for over a century in both fashion and fine jewellery products. Small amounts of cadmium may be added to alloys used to make jewellery in order to impart specific technical and functional attributes to the metals. It may be present in jewellery as part of the metal alloy, solder or gold coating for electroforming/electroplating, or as a pigment or stabiliser in non-metal components.
However, cadmium has also been recognised as a toxin and carcinogen that is harmful when ingested or inhaled.
Nickel in products
PRODUCTS FOR USE IN PIERCINGS ('POST ASSEMBLIES')
Any post assembly for use in piercings must have a rate of nickel release less than 0.2 micrograms per square centimetre, per week. The post assembly is the part of the product designed for insertion into the wound caused by piercing, plus any faces that hold the piece in and against the wound (such as the ball or butterfly).
ALL PRODUCTS
As well as the specific rule for post assemblies for use in piercings, all products that come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin must have a rate of nickel release less than or equal to 0.5 micrograms per square centimetre, per week. In other words, it is prohibited to supply the product if the rate of release is greater than 0.5 micrograms per square centimetre per week. 'Direct and prolonged contact' means touching the skin under normal use for continuous periods of time.
A product may contain nickel in higher concentrations
but...
only where they have a non-nickel coating
and...
the coating is sufficient to ensure that the rate of nickel released from parts in direct and prolonged contact with the skin is less than 0.5 micrograms per square centimetre, per week, for a minimum period of two years' normal use.
Where the above Regulations do not apply (for example, for products sold second hand) the General Product Safety Regulations 2005 apply. These require goods supplied to be safe.
Cadmium in products
The Regulations restrict cadmium content in jewellery to 0.01% (100 mg/kg) by weight of metal and this applies to:
- metal beads and other metal jewellery (that is, bracelets, necklaces, rings, piercing jewellery, wristwatches, wrist-wear, broaches, cufflinks)
- components, metal parts of jewellery and imitation jewellery articles
- hair accessories
What should I do to make sure I comply?
If you are not the manufacturer, you should check with your supplier that the products comply with the Regulations. For example, this could involve asking to see test certificates, or auditing your suppliers if you are a large retailer. How much you need to do depends on a number of circumstances - for example, the size of your business - but doing nothing will not be sufficient.
If you are a manufacturer, you would normally be expected to have tested your products to ensure that they comply. It is recommended that a reputable test house should carry out any testing, such as one accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).
Failure to comply
Failure to comply with the requirements is an offence under the REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008.
Please note
This leaflet is not an authoritative interpretation of the law and is intended only for guidance. Any legislation referred to, while still current, may have been amended from the form in which it was originally enacted. Please contact us for further information.
Relevant legislation
General Product Safety Regulations 2005
REACH Enforcement Regulations 2008
Last reviewed/updated: November 2012
© 2013 itsa Ltd on behalf of the Trading Standards Institute.
