On August 4, 2014, the German Product Safety Committee (AfPS)GS logoPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in certified consumer goods, toys, and children's productsPAHThe requirements have been updated, including testing methods for PAH and limit values for PAH in different categories of materials.

The main harmful parts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to the human body are the respiratory tract and skin, which are persistent organic pollutants and have been listed as carcinogens by the International Center for Research on Cancer. This release aims to ensure that relevant products meet the corresponding regulatory requirements, thereby avoiding risks to health.

The main reason for the presence of PAH in textile and shoe materials is the addition of softening oil agents to rubber or soft plastics, or the addition of black pigments containing PAH to rubber or plastics. So rubber, plastics (such as ABS, PP), and varnish, coatings, etc. on natural materials are all high-risk materials containing PAH substances.

Effective Date and Transition Period:

The updated file will replace the previous standard ZEK 04.1-08 from July 1, 2015

1. GS certificates issued from July 1, 2015 must comply with the new requirements;

2. Products that obtained GS certification before July 1, 2015 still have valid certificates, but further safety assessments are required to confirm their compliance;

3. For the reissuance of existing GS certificates, such as changing the company name or address, the document proposes corresponding exemption clause requirements.

PAH-Mixture,SP-117315113CBContains the following 18 components: