Scope
This regulation amends REACH Annex XVII entry 47 for leather articles and articles containing leather parts that come into contact with the skin under normal or reasonably foreseeable use. It applies directly in EU Member States and excludes second-hand articles that were already in end use in the Union before 1 May 2015.
Exact limit and units
| Metal | Matrix | Limit | Unit | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromium VI | Leather articles coming into contact with skin | 3 | mg/kg | total dry weight of the leather |
| Chromium VI | Articles containing leather parts coming into contact with skin | 3 | mg/kg | total dry weight of that leather part |
How tested
The recitals identify EN ISO 17075 as the internationally recognized analytical method for detecting chromium VI in leather. The 3 mg/kg threshold is aligned with that method’s determination limit.
Enforcement posture
Leather articles and covered leather parts may not be placed on the EU market when chromium VI is equal to or greater than 3 mg/kg on the total dry-weight basis.
History of changes
The regulation was adopted on 25 March 2014, published in the Official Journal on 26 March 2014, entered into force on the twentieth day after publication, and applied from 1 May 2015.
How it compares
This is a content limit for hexavalent chromium in leather, not a total-chromium limit and not a textile-extraction limit for non-leather materials.
Sources
Update history
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