Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) usually present in petroleum products, rubber, plastics, lubricants, anti-rusting oil and incomplete combustion product of organic compounds. Taking into account the hazards of PAHs and the possibility of their presence in consumer products, the voluntary German GS Mark certification controls the presence of PAHs in products. The expansion of PAHs restriction scope in REACH imposes more stringent requirements on products to be exported to the EU.

Entry 50 of Annex XVII to REACH：

• The scope has been expanded from tire to the plastic and rubber parts of any product, which are in direct contact with the human skin or oral cavity for a long or repeated short time on 27 December 2015.
• According to the product type, the detection limit will be different. For more information, please feel free to contact us.

German GS-Mark

• The new requirements of AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK will become effective on July 1, 2020. AfPS GS 2014: 01 PAK will be simultaneously replaced by AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK. Reducing the number of PAHs from 18 to 15 by removing Acenaphthylene, Acenaphthene and Fluorene.
• Detection limit: According to the feature of product, GS-Mark divided them into three categories and established different detection limits. If you need more information, please feel free to contact us.
  • Category 1: Materials intended to be put in the mouth or toy materials prolonged contact with the skin (more than 30 seconds) as defined in 2009/48/EC, and products used by children under 3 years old.
  • Category 2: Materials, which do not belong to Category 1, are intended or foreseeable in contact with the skin for more than 30 seconds (long-term skin contact) or repeated short-term contact.
  • Category 3: Materials, which are not covered by Category 1 and 2, are intended or foreseeable short-term skin contact (≤ 30 seconds)

No matter your product would like to conform the request from Annex XVII of REACH or German GS-Mark, SGS TW can provide complete service and consultation.