Germany’s AfPS Clarifies PAH Specifications for Category 1 Materials Under GS-Mark

The German Product Safety Committee (Ausschuss für Produktsicherheit, AfPS) has issued a new version of AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK, its specifications for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under the voluntary Geprüfte Sicherheit Mark (GS-Mark, ‘Tested Safety’ Mark).

AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK covers the testing, evaluation and specifications on PAHs and will become mandatory for the issuing of the GS-Mark on July 1, 2020. The latest version, issued on April 10, 2020, clarifies the scope of materials falling under Category 1.

These are: materials intended to be placed in the mouth, or materials coming into long-term contact with the skin (more than 30 seconds) during intended use, in either:
• Toys falling under the scope of Directive 2009/48/EC (Toy Safety Directive, TSD)
• Toys used by children up to three years of age

Under AfPS GS 2019:01 PAK, the majority of PAHs are limited to <0.2 mg/kg, with the exceptions being the sum of anthracene, fluoranthene, phenanthrene and pyrene (<1 mg/kg), and naphthalene, also <1 mg/kg. In total, the sum of all fifteen PAHs must be less than 1 mg/kg to comply with the requirements for a Category 1 material being assessed for the GS-Mark.

For a comprehensive look at the provisions, view Safeguard 057/20.

The GS-Mark relates to ready-to-use products – for example, machines, hand tools, toys, electrical appliances, lights, household appliances or furniture. These are outlined in Chapter 5 of the German Product Safety law (ProdSG).

In Germany, PAHs are still considered a critical group of substances in consumer products. According to §30 of the German Food and Feed Code ((Lebensmittel-, Bedarfsgegenstände- und Futtermittelgesetzbuch, LFGB) on general product safety, and recommendations from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, BfR), it is important to reduce the amount of PAHs in consumer products. Therefore, SGS suggests continued testing, after June 30, 2020, against the list of 18 PAHs in the previous version, AfPS GS 2014:01 PAK, for non-GS Mark requirements.

SGS Chemical Testing Services
With a global network of testing laboratories, SGS can conduct chemical, mechanical or physical property tests to ensure products are safe and compliant with regulations around the world. Learn more about SGS’s Chemical Testing Services. 

SGS SafeGuardS keep you up to date with the latest news and developments in the consumer goods industry. Read the full German AfPS Publishes Latest Version of PAH Specifications Under GS-Mark SafeGuardS. 

Subscribe here to receive SGS SafeGuardS direct to your inbox.

For further information contact:

Dr. Hingwo Tsang
Global Information and Innovation Manager
Tel:(+852) 2774 7420

Dr. Udo Krischke
Global Technical Manager, RSTS
Tel: +49 6128 744 235

Email: crs.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/hardlines
LinkedIn: sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 94,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.