In April, the EU updated the list of standards to be used as test methods to demonstrate compliance with nickel release according to REACH Annex XVII, entry 27.

As expected, the new EN 12472:2020 standard for the detection of nickel release from coated articles that come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin is one of those listed.

The main differences between the updated and the obsolete version include the following:

• Clarification of articles covered by the scope of the standard: does not apply to articles with an outer coating containing nickel or those which are inserted into pierced ears and other parts of the human body.
• Clarification of the concentration of the lactic acid stock solution: the purity of the DL-lactic acid must be > 88% for the preparation of a corrosive medium.
• The requirements for granules have been changed: coconut shells, ground and sieved to obtain a mixture of particles with dimensions between 0.8 mm and 1.3 mm.
• Includes a statement that testing may be performed in accordance with CR 12471 if only indicative information on the extent of nickel release or the presence of nickel is required.