Sheffield Assay Office

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Nickel Testing

• Analytical Services - An Overview
• Nickel Testing
  • Short Nickel Test
  • Analytical Services QC Test
  • Nickel Testing Fee List
  • REACH & The Nickel Directive
• Jewellery Testing
  • Jewellery Testing Fees
• Precious Metals Analysis
• Mercury Screening
  • Mercury Screening Kit Request
• Metals and Minerals Analysis
• Environmental Analysis
• Healthcare and Medical Research
• RoHS and WEEE
• Leather Testing
• Training
• Services for Trading Standards

Nickel is now the most frequent cause of contact allergy in Europe. Skin absorption of nickel ions, released from nickel containing materials, can lead to sensitisation. The degree of sensitivity to nickel varies between individuals. This widespread health problem has forced the introduction of measures to reduce the development of allergic contact dermatitis to nickel.

Why is nickel used by manufacturers?

Nickel has been used for many years because of the physical properties it bestows on an article of jewellery. For example:

• When a rough casting is made it can be overplated with nickel and made very smooth. (This process is known as 'levelling').
• This smooth surface when overplated with silver or gold is extremely bright.
• When nickel is plated as a continuous layer it acts as a barrier to the migration of copper to the surface. Copper oxidises, turns green and roughens the surface.
• A product's strength and durability are both increased by the addition of nickel.
• Precious metal alloys are mixtures of several metals chosen for colour, strength or hardness. Nickel added to gold may bleach it thus producing a white gold alloy.

Nickel has been used for many years and the industrial expertise is well developed. It is also inexpensive when compared to the available alternatives such as palladium.

Consumer Protection

In order to protect the public an EC Directive became law in the UK from July 20, 2001 and has since been revised. The main points to note are:

Articles in contact with piercings:
Under the EC Nickel Directive 2004/96/EC; SI 2005 No 2001 any post assembly in contact with body piercings shall not emit nickel at a rate greater than 0.2 microgrammes/cm2/week. *

*This was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 28/09/04 and replaces the requirement for a nickel content test. The Directive number is 2004/96/EC and is empowered into UK legislation as Statutory Instrument 2005 No 2001. It is applicable to all jewellery used in piercings i.e. ear rings, body jewellery.

Articles not in contact with piercings:
The same Directive requires that any component in direct and prolonged contact with unbroken skin shall not emit nickel at a rate greater than 0.5 microgrammes/cm2/week. The test involves different preparations for coated and uncoated articles. The methods are BS EN 1811 (elution) and BS EN 12472 (wear and corrosion). Nickel release is the key issue.

The description 'Nickel Free' in the UK: LACORS, the British Trading Standards Advisory body has determined that the description 'nickel-free' can only be applied to products containing no more than 0.01% Ni.

Our Service

Sheffield Analytical Services undertakes chemical analyses and testing of items for nickel release under the EC Directive. Items may range from fashion jewellery, sunglasses and accessories to belt buckles. The primary reason for importers, manufacturers and multiple retailers to use this service is confirmation of due diligence. We number many national retailers amongst our clients and offer a fast, confidential service.

The Tests

The nickel testing service extends the role of consumer protection exercised by the Sheffield Assay Office and embodied in the Hallmarking Act.

• UKAS accredited
• Raw materials QC
• Monitoring imported products
• Due diligence defence
• Confidential and friendly service
• Rapid and accurate results

The testing procedure involves first identifying parts of an article that may contact broken or unbroken skin, assessing for coatings and then applying the appropriate tests.

Generally, articles are subjected to a procedure of corrosion and wear which simulates a period of two years' normal use. Clearly the precise assessment of two years' normal wear is difficult and EN 12472 is a pragmatic solution. The method is designed to gently abrade the surface and edges in order to expose any sub-surface layers.

A further test procedure uses DMG swabs for screening. This method has been employed in Germany and Denmark for a number of years and involves the use of a cotton wool tip soaked in a mixture of chemicals. (Note: the European committees have not accepted this test as it is not foolproof; it is possible to accept or reject accordingly).

Nickel release tests:

• DMG Screening (swab) test - low cost and indicative only; taken from PDCR 12471.
• Release reference method - the highest standard of testing; used to identify component part release; EN1811 + EN12472.
• Release QC test - this segregates articles into nickel releasing and non releasing.
• Spectacles testing to EN12472, 2005 including BSEN1811.
• Short test - to be used as part of a Due Diligence programme. The short test alone does not show compliance under the current EC directive. 

Nickel content:

• Reporting the nickel content of each component contained in an article to BSEN 1810:1998.  (Note - This test is no longer applicable under the current Directive).

Spectacle frames

Following extensive work carried out for frame manufacturers, the provisional test ENV 14027 (also referred to as 'Certottica') is now part of a redefined BSEN 12472:2005 and testing includes BSEN1811.

Click here for Nickel Testing Fee List

Click here to download the Analytical Services application form.