M/556 - PAH in rubber + plastic
[C(2017)7926 final] Compliance with maximum content criteria of PAH in rubber and plastic
Mandate M/556 addresses the development of European standards to ensure compliance with maximum content criteria for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in rubber and plastic materials. Issued by the European Commission, this mandate requests the European Standardisation Organisations to establish harmonized methods for testing and limiting PAH levels to protect human health and the environment. The standards will support regulatory requirements and facilitate market surveillance by providing clear criteria and procedures for measuring PAH content in rubber and plastic products placed on the EU market.
Purpose
The mandate M/556 aims to address compliance with maximum content criteria of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in rubber and plastic products. These criteria are important for ensuring consumer safety by limiting exposure to hazardous substances in materials that come into contact with people.
Standardisation request
The European Commission requests the development of harmonized European standards that specify testing methods, measurement procedures, and compliance assessment criteria for PAH content in rubber and plastic materials. The standardisation work should enable consistent enforcement of regulatory limits across member states and support market surveillance and product conformity assessment activities.
Expected deliverables
- European standards defining precise analytical methods for detecting and quantifying PAH levels in rubber and plastic.
- Guidance on sample preparation, measurement protocols, and reporting requirements.
- Criteria and thresholds aligned with the maximum allowable PAH content as determined by EU chemical safety regulations.
- Possibly related test methods or standards to support certification, labelling, and regulatory compliance monitoring.
Context
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a group of chemicals known for their potential carcinogenic and environmental risks. In the EU, restrictions on PAH content in consumer products such as toys, childcare articles, and other rubber or plastic items are established to reduce health risks. Mandate M/556 supports the implementation of these regulatory requirements by promoting the creation of harmonised technical standards that ensure reliable, reproducible measurement and enforcement across the EU single market.
This mandate covers the standardisation work related to compliance with maximum content criteria of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in rubber and plastic materials. It addresses health and safety concerns by establishing limits for PAH content in these products used in various sectors, ensuring safer materials in consumer and industrial applications.
General Information
This document specifies a method to determine the total content of the 8 regulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), see Table 1, in plastic and rubber articles by using GC-MS allowing detection at 0,1 mg PAHs/kg for plastic and 0,2 mg PAHs/kg for rubber material.
Table 1 - List of PAHs
...
NOTE Other PAHs compounds can also be analysed with this method, provided suitability has been proven.
- Draft14 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
This document specifies a method to determine the total content of the 8 regulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), see Table 1, in plastic and rubber articles by using GC-MS allowing detection at 0,1 mg PAHs/kg for plastic and 0,2 mg PAHs/kg for rubber material.
Table 1 - List of PAHs
...
NOTE Other PAHs compounds can also be analysed with this method, provided suitability has been proven.
- Draft14 pagesEnglish languagee-Library read for1 day
Frequently Asked Questions
A European Standardization Mandate is a formal request from the European Commission to the European Standardization Organizations (CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI) to develop European standards (ENs) in support of EU legislation and policies. Mandates are issued under Regulation (EU) No 1025/2012 and help ensure that products and services meet the essential requirements set out in EU directives and regulations.
M/556 is a European Standardization Mandate titled "[C(2017)7926 final] Compliance with maximum content criteria of PAH in rubber and plastic". [C(2017)7926 final] Compliance with maximum content criteria of PAH in rubber and plastic There are 2 standards developed under this mandate.
Standards developed in response to a mandate and cited in the Official Journal of the European Union become "harmonized standards". Products manufactured in compliance with harmonized standards benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation, facilitating CE marking and market access across the European Economic Area.