Chemicals in jewellery and watches

Jewellery and fashion accessories must not contain or release too high concentrations of hazardous chemicals. Jewellery and fashion accessories include:

  • jewellery used in piercings,
  • rings,
  • bracelets and necklaces,
  • earrings,
  • hair decorations, and
  • metal components of wristwatches.

Manufacturers, importers and distributors of jewellery and watches must ensure that their jewellery and watches do not contain or release higher concentrations of prohibited or restricted substances than permitted.

Chemicals with concentration and release restrictions:

  • nickel,
  • cadmium,
  • lead, and
  • chromium(VI).

Chemicals are prohibited because

  • nickel may trigger contact dermatitis.
  • lead and lead compounds are toxic.
  • cadmium may cause cancer.
  • lead and cadmium are also hazardous to the environment.

The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes) supervises chemicals contained in jewellery and watches.

Nickel in jewellery

Nickel is a general cause of contact dermatitis. There is no cure for nickel allergy. This is why no more than 0.5 micrograms of nickel may be released from jewellery over a skin area of one square centimetre per week. In other words, nickel can be used in jewellery manufacturing, but it must not be released from jewellery products.

The limit value for the release of nickel is lower for jewellery fitted immediately after piercing than for other items and jewellery in contact with the skin. No more than 0.2 micrograms of nickel may be released from jewellery fitted immediately after piercing over a skin area of one square centimetre per week. This type of jewellery means jewellery that is used in piercings while the pierced body part is healing. 

More information about nickel in jewellery and items in contact with the skin is available (in Finnish) in the brochure of the chemical advisory service on nickel, cadmium and lead restrictions in jewellery.

Cadmium in jewellery

Cadmium is a carcinogenic heavy metal. As cadmium accumulates in the body and its half-life is very long, the amount of cadmium in our body may increase as we grow older.

Cadmium may end up in jewellery through impurities in raw materials, recycled materials or solders.

The cadmium content in jewellery must be less than 0.01 per cent by weight.

The cadmium restriction applies to all jewellery and its components, regardless of the jewellery material. The restriction also applies to brazing fillers used at temperatures above 450 °C. More information about restrictions is available (in Finnish) in the brochure on nickel, cadmium and lead restrictions in jewellery.

The use of cadmium in jewellery was prohibited in 2011. Retailers may still be selling jewellery that was made available for sale before the restriction.  Jewellery sellers must present documents of the jewellery purchase date if the supervisory authority (Tukes) requires it.

The cadmium restrictions do not apply to antique jewellery made available for sale before 10 December 1961.

Lead in jewellery

Lead and lead compounds are toxic, and they are prohibited for reasons of health and environmental protection.

Lead may end up in jewellery as intentionally added metallic lead, through impurities in raw materials, from recycled materials, or as an additive used in metal alloys.

The lead content in jewellery must be less than 0.05 per cent by weight.

The lead restriction applies to all jewellery, its manufacturing materials and individual components. There are exceptions to the lead restriction. More information about the restriction is available (in Finnish) in the brochure on nickel, cadmium and lead restrictions in jewellery.

The use of lead in jewellery was prohibited in 2011. Retailers may still be selling jewellery that was made available for sale before the restriction.  Jewellery sellers must present documents of the jewellery purchase date if the supervisory authority (Tukes) requires it.

The lead restrictions do not apply to antique jewellery made available for sale before 10 December 1961.

Chromium(VI) in jewellery

Chromium(VI) compounds may cause allergies even in small concentrations.

Concentrations of chromium(VI) compounds in leather products or products containing leather were restricted in the EU in 2015. Since then, products cannot have contained more than 3 mg/kg, or 0.0003 per cent by weight, of chromium(VI) compounds.

More detailed information about the restriction is available (in Finnish) in  chromium compounds restricted in leather products

To be noted when selling jewellery and watches

Manufacturers, importers and distributors are responsible for ensuring that their products do not contain any hazardous chemicals.

When you buy jewellery and watches for sale, identify the raw materials and chemicals they contain.

Customers have the right to ask the seller whether a product contains certain substances of very high concern.

The seller must respond to the customer’s question in 45 days.

Legislation

REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII