The German Committee for Commercial Equipment and Consumer Products (ATAV) has now made testing for polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) obligatory for the GS (Geprüfte Sicherheit) safety testing product certification. As ofApril 1, 2008, the PAH test, which was previously a voluntary test will become a standard requirement for GS certification of all new products. This applies to electrical products intended for use in households and in the workplace.

What are PAHs?

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are chemical compounds that are known or suspected carcinogens and many are linked to other health problems.

The main reasons for PAH contamination in materials is the use of:

• PAH-contaminated softening oils in rubber and flexible (soft) plastics

• PAH-contaminated soot which his used as a black pigment dye in rubber and plastics

• PAH-contaminated lacquers Naphthalene which his used as a preservative during transport and storage.

PAH components that need to be tested

Wim Koenhen, Project Manager, says, “Simply put, for all of your products you need to have a representative piece of all plastic and semi-plastic parts that are exposed or come into contact with food or human skin tested.” The following components and materials must be tested for the GS Mark:

• Accessible pieces of housings in all colors

• Parts that come into contact with food or oral mucosa (mucous membranes in the mouth)

• Toys for small children

• Parts that come into contact with human skin in normal use, such as switches, keyboards, plugs, handles and external housing materials

• Various insulation materials that are exposed to human contact, even if only the color has changed

• All materials which have the typical smell of rubber or naphthalene (moth balls) must be tested for PAH. However you have to bear in mind that only testing can give assurance on the presence of PAH components.

• Particular attention must be paid to coating and lacquering as well as materials that are used for preservation, which lead to heightened concentrations of PAH on the surface of the materials. A PAH test of internal materials which have no perceptible smell and, moreover, cannot be accessed without the use of tools, may be waived.

Compliance

The new directive applies to all products that will be marketed after 1 April 2008. For products that already have an existing GS certificate, you have a one-year period of grace in which to arrange PAH testing. Otherwise, your certificate will be void as of 1 April 2009.

How KEMA can help

KEMA is authorized to carry out the PAH testing procedure required for GS certificates and can provide you with a KEMA-GS certificate. Please contact your local KEMA representative for more information about PAH testing for the GS Mark.