The German Product Safety Commission issued the content standard of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for GS certified products

2020-12-17

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:

  • Category 1: 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).
  • Category 2: 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).
  • Category 3: 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).

 
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


Transition period / Expiration:
  •  AfPA GS 2014:01PAK can be used until June 30, 2020, AfPA GS 2019:01PAK will be implemented from July 1, 2020.
  •  The GS certificate will be issued on July 1, 2020. This new GS specification will be effected from July 1, 2020 (including the current application process that will be completed after July 1, 2020)
  •  The GS certificate issued before July 1, 2020 is still valid.