In view of the harmful effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on humans, animals and plants, the AtAV committee of the Central Experience Exchange Office (ZEK) of the German Safety Technical Certification Center (ZLS) has requested the mandatory inclusion of PAHs testing in the GS mark certification. Other countries and regions have also adopted written laws or decrees to restrict PAHs, such as: EU 76/769/EEC; U.S. EPA; China GB, GB/T, GHZ.
Approved by the AtAV Committee of the Central Experience Exchange Office (ZEK) of the German Security Technology Certification Center (ZLS) on November 20, 2007 (see Document No. ZEK 01-08 published on the official ZLS website), The requirement to make PAHs testing mandatory in the GS mark certification has come into effect on April 1, 2008, when all GS mark certification bodies will begin to test PAHs projects. On November 29, 2011, GS certification added two new mandatory PAHs tests, the test standard is ZEK01.4-08, effective from July 1, 2012.
PAHs Introduction
PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) are linear, angular, or mass chemical structures composed of two to seven benzene rings. It is mainly caused by the incomplete combustion of carbon-containing compounds or during the use of fossil fuels. There are more than 100 known types of PAHs, and there are 16 types of PAHs that are regulated by the EPA (as follows) :
■ Naphthalene | ■ Benzo(a)anthracene （a） |
■ Acenaphthylene | ■ Chrysene |
■ Acenaphthene | ■ Benzo(b)fluoranthene |
■ Fluorene | ■ Benzo(k)fluoranthene |
■ Phenanthrene | ■ Benzo(a)pyrene |
■ Anthracene | ■ Indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene |
■ Fluoranthene | ■ Dibenzo(a,h)anthracene |
■ Pyrene | ■ Benzo(g,hi)perylene |
German GS mark certification PAHs compulsory test
Although PAHs testing is only voluntary and does not include GS certification requirements, there have been two related automatic recalls in Germany: one is the discovery of such substances in the wire, casing and handle of the grinder; First, a high concentration of PAHs compounds was found in the non-slip plastic layer of the hammer. In addition, a Chinese power tool manufacturing company worth $80 million of goods were found to contain PAHs and were detained in a German port. After the formal implementation of the new regulations, products that cannot pass the PAHs test will not be able to obtain the GS certification mark and smoothly enter Germany.
The following materials and components shall be subjected to GS certified PAHs testing
■ All materials with a strong rubber or naphthalene (sanitary ball) odor must be tested for PAHs: this odor is mainly caused by volatile naphthalene and methyl naphthalene containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. However, if the component or raw material does not have this odor, it may also contain low volatile PAHs;
■ All soft polymer materials (plastic and rubber materials) and black or dark hard polymer materials that may come into contact with the skin - such as switches, keyboards, pins, handles and housing materials - must be PAHs tested;
Paint and anticorrosive materials (naphthalene and methyl naphthalene): they increase the concentration of PAHs on the surface of the material;
Internal materials that are odorless and must be touched with other tools are not subject to PAHs testing.
PAHs restrictions
On August 4, 2014, the German Technical Equipment and Consumer Products Commission (ATAV) announced new control requirements for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) for products requiring GS certification, which will take effect on July 1, 2015. The PAHs limits for consumer goods (materials that come into contact with food, materials that will be placed in the mouth, toys and child care products) are as follows:
Benzo (a) pyrene
matter | Category 1 | Category 2 | Category 3 | ||
Material placed in the entrance, or toy material in contact with the skin for a long time (more than 30 seconds) | Materials not included in Category 1 that come into contact with skin for prolonged periods of time (more than 30 seconds) or that come into contact with skin for repeated short periods of time | Materials not included in categories 1 and 2 that come into contact with skin for a short period of time (not exceeding 30 seconds) | |||
2009/48/EC Range of toys | Other products | Toys within the scope of 2009/48/EC | Other products | ||
Benzo (a) pyrene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
< 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 | |
Benzoanthracene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Benzo (b) fluoranthrene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Benzo (b) fluoranthrene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Benzo (b) fluoranthrene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Tracy | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Dibenzodiazene (a,h) | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Benzo (g,h,i) perylene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Indene (1,2, 3-CD) pyrene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Acenaphthene, acenaphthene, fluorene Phenanthrene, pyrene, anthracene fluoranthrene | <1 | < 5 | < 10 | < 20 | < 50 |
naphthalene | < 1 | < 2 | < 10 | ||
18total PAHGross amount | < 1 | < 5 | < 10 | < 20 | < 50 |
If the test results are greater than Class I but meet the limits of Class II, a further test is required to confirm the test results in accordance with the mobility test of DIN EN 1186 and § 64 LFBG 80.30-1.
Introduction to German GS certification
GS certification based on the German product safety Law, in accordance with the European Union unified standard EN or German industrial standard DIN testing a voluntary certification, is the European market recognized German safety certification mark. The GS mark indicates that the safety of the product has been tested by a credible independent body. The GS mark, although not legally mandatory, does allow manufacturers to be subject to strict German product safety laws in the event of an accident caused by product failure. Therefore, the GS logo is a powerful market tool that can enhance customer confidence and purchase desire.
Although GS is the German standard, most countries in Europe agree. And meet the GS certification at the same time, the product will also meet the requirements of the EC CE mark. The GS mark is not legally mandatory, but because the safety awareness has penetrated into the ordinary consumer, an electrical appliance with the GS mark will have greater competitiveness in the market than the general product.
Other regulations restricting PAHs
Lebensmittel und Bedarfsgegenstandegesetz-LFGB (German Food Commodity and
Section 30 of the Feed Law establishes permissible limits for PAHs:
parameter | Plastic, parts that are in constant contact, i.e. parts that are in contact for more than 30 seconds (e.g. handles, steering wheels, etc.) | Plastic, parts with occasional sexual contact, i.e. parts with contact time of less than 30 seconds |
BaP | 1mg/kg | 20mg/kg |
18 item PAHs total | 10mg/kg | 200mg/kg |
The detection limit is 0.1 mg/kg, and if the material is detected below 0.1 mg/kg, it is considered ND(not detected), (the quantitation limit of GS Mark is 0.2 mg/kg).
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons Directive 2005/69/EC
Directive 2005/69/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of the European Union, signed in Strasbourg, France, on 16 November 2005, is the twenty-seventh amendment of Directive 76/769/EEC and entered into force on 1 January 2010. Directive 2005/69/EC stipulates that fuel filler placed on the market or used in the manufacture of tyres shall comply with:
■ BaP content less than 1 mg/kg
■ The total content of 8 PAHs(BaP, BeP, BaA, CHR, BbFA, BjFA, BkFA, DBAhA) is less than 10 mg/kg
