On September 15, 2019, the German Product Safety Commission has released a new standard for the limitation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in GS certified products. The standard (AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK(PAH)) will replace AfPA GS 2014:01 PAK (PAH) and will be effect on July 1, 2020.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) refer to a class of organic compounds with two or more benzene rings. Most PAHs are carcinogenic and can be found in plastics or rubber materials of electronic products.
Updated main points:
◆ Revised the definition of children's products and toys in the control category.
◆ Removed 3 substances including Acenaphthene (CAS NO.83-32-9) and Fluorene (CAS NO.208-96-8). The substances in control has also changed from 18 to 15 items.
Product Categories:
The new standard of limited content (mg/kg):
Item 1 | Category 1 | Category 2 | Category 3 | ||
/ | Materials or toys intended to be placed in the mouth are listed in 2009/48/EC or (inclusive) products used by children under 3 year-old have long-term contact with skin (more than 30 seconds). | Materials that are not in Category 1 and expect to have prolonged or repeated contact with skin (more than 30 seconds, this includes a. children use b. other consumer products). | Contact with skin less than 30 seconds (short-term contact with the skin), and materials that are not in Category 1 or Category 2 (this includes a. children’s toys b. other consumer products). | ||
/ | / | Products for children under 14 year-old (initiative or passive contact) | Other products | Products for children under 14 year-old (initiative or passive contact) |
Other products |
Benzo(a)pyrene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Benzo(e)pyrene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Benzo(a)anthracene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Benzo(b)fluoranthene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Benzo(j)fluoranthene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Benzo(k)fluoranthene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Chrysene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Dibenzo (a, h) anthracene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Benzo (g, h, i) perylene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene | < 0.2 | < 0.2 | < 0.5 | < 0.5 | < 1 |
Phenanthrene Anthracene Fluoranthene Pyrene |
< 1 (Total) | < 5 (Total) | < 10 (Total) | < 20 (Total) | < 50 (Total) |
Naphthalene | < 1 | < 2 | < 10 | ||
15 kinds of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons | < 1 | < 5 | < 10 | < 20 | < 50 |