Leather Gloves EU REACH Azo Test Report
Date：2026-07-31 09:33:33 Classification
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Guidelines for Obtaining EU REACH Azo Dye Test Reports for Leather Gloves
I. What is Azo Dye Testing?
Azo dyes are a class of synthetic dyes containing an azo group (-N=N-), widely used in dyeing textiles, leather, and plastics. Under certain conditions, some azo dyes can be reduced and decomposed to release carcinogenic aromatic amines; long-term exposure may induce cancer in humans.
Article 43 of Annex XVII of the EU REACH Regulation explicitly restricts the use of 22 carcinogenic aromatic amines, stipulating that in consumer products such as leather and textiles:
The total amount of releaseable carcinogenic aromatic amines must not exceed 30 mg/kg.
II. Why is this test mandatory for leather gloves?
Leather gloves are products that come into direct contact with the skin for extended periods, and they typically use large amounts of dyes, fatliquoring agents, and fixing agents during processing, posing the following risks:
| Sources of Risk | Specific Substances
| Dye Reduction Decomposition | 22 Restricted Aromatic Amines
| Fixing Agent Residue | Formaldehyde, Pentachlorophenol
| Fatliquoring Agent Contamination | Phthalate Esters, Organotin
Therefore, azo dye testing is a mandatory inspection item for leather products during random inspections by EU market regulators, resulting in a very high customs detention rate.
III. Applicable Standards and Regulations
| Standard Number | Scope of Application
| REACH Annex XVII (EC 1907/2006) | Mandatory Requirements under EU Law
| EN ISO 17234-1 | Determination of Azo Dyes in Leather (General Method)
| EN ISO 17234-2 | Determination of Azo Dyes in Leather (Liquid Chromatography)
| EN 14362-1/2 | Azo Dye Tests on Textiles (Reference)
| GB/T 17592 | Domestic Standard (Export Comparison)
IV. List of 22 Restricted Carcinogenic Aromatic Amines (Core)
Mainly includes:
| Serial Number | Substance Name | CAS Number
| 1 | 4-Aminobiphenyl | 92-67-1
| 2 | Benzidine | 92-87-5
| 3 | 4-Chloro-o-Toluidine | 95-69-2
| 4 | 2-Naphthylamine | 91-59-8
| 5 | o-aminoazotoluene | 97-56-3
| 6 | 5-nitro-o-toluidine | 99-55-8
| 7 | p-chloroaniline | 106-47-8
| 8 | 2,4-diaminoanisole | 615-05-4
| 9 | 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane | 101-77-9
| 10 | 3,3'-dichlorobenzidine | 91-94-1
| 11 | 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine | 119-90-4
| 12 | 3,3'-dimethylbenzidine | 119-93-7
| 13 | 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether | 101-80-4
| 14 | 4,4'-Diaminodiphenyl sulfide | 139-65-1
| 15 | 2-Methyl-5-nitroaniline | 99-55-8
| 16 | 2,4-Diaminotoluene | 95-80-7
| 17 | 2,4,5-Trimethylaniline | 137-17-7
| 18 | o-Toluidine | 95-53-4
| 19 | 2,4-Diaminoanisole | 615-05-4
| 20-22 | Other specific azo compounds | ...
⚠️ Limit requirement: ≤ 30 mg/kg for each aromatic amine
V. Detection Method Flow
Sampling → Degreasing → Citrate buffer reduction → Liquid-liquid extraction →
Derivatization reaction → GC/MS or HPLC/DAD Detection → Quantitative Analysis → Report Issuance
Detailed Steps
1. Sample Preparation: Cut a representative sample from the leather glove.
2. Degreasing: Remove fat interfering substances with petroleum ether.
3. Reduction and Cleavage: Reduce azo bonds with sodium dithionite in citrate buffer at 70℃.
4. Extraction: Extract aromatic amines using a diatomaceous earth column.
5. Concentration and Derivatization: Derivatize using tert-butyldimethylsilane (TBDMS).
6. Instrumental Analysis: Qualitative and quantitative analysis using GC-MS or LC-MS/MS.
7. Result Determination: Monoamine content < 30 mg/kg is considered acceptable.
VI. Application Process and Required Documents
Required Documents List
1. Product Specification Sheet (Material Description, Leather Type)
2. Color Photographs of the Glove (Complete Glove and Leather Details)
3. MSDS for Dyes and Chemicals (if applicable)
4. Testing Application Form (Template provided by the institution)
5. Sample Submission 2-3 pairs of complete finished gloves
Application Process
Step 1: Choose an institution → Step 2: Fill out the application form → Step 3: Send samples →
Step 4: Laboratory testing (5-7 working days) → Step 5: Issuance of English report →
Step 6: Filing for customs declaration and platform upload
VII. Costs and Timeline
| Item | Estimated Cost (RMB) | Timeline
| Single test for 22 azo dyes | 1000-2500 | 5-7 working days
Recommendation: For leather gloves exported to the EU, we recommend the "Azo + Formaldehyde + Pentachlorophenol + Nickel Release" combination package, which offers the best cost-performance ratio.
VIII. Precautions
Key Risk Points
1. Leather Layer Differences: The outer leather and lining fabric must be sampled and tested separately.
2. Natural Leather vs. PU Synthetic Leather: PU materials require additional testing according to EN 14362 standards.
3. Children's Leather Gloves: Stricter limits; some brands require < 20 mg/kg.
4. Dyeing Process: Vegetable-tanned leather has low risk; chrome-tanned + aniline dyes have high risk.
5. Mixed-Color Products: Multi-colored leather gloves should be sampled and tested color by color.
6. Report Validity: Reports usually do not have a clearly defined validity period, but clients/platforms generally require them to be within one year.
Compliance Recommendations
Sign an azo dye compliance agreement with leather suppliers and require them to provide raw material testing reports.
Prefer dye chemicals certified by ZDHC and bluesign®.
Conduct batch-by-batch sampling inspections before export to avoid recalls due to one non-compliant pair in an entire batch.
Also, pay attention to REACH. SVHC screening to avoid substances of very high concern such as phthalates and PFOA.
Choose a third-party organization with CNAS/CMA accreditation; their reports are widely recognized by EU customs.
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