Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 - "Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals" (REACH) aims at improving the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals. In Annex XVII, it sets out the restrictions of certain chemicals due to their hazardous properties such as carcinogens, irritants and reprotoxins. In addition, specific European Standards (ENs) are developed and used to provide test methods to demonstrate compliance with those REACH restrictions.

For instance, nickel is listed in Entry 27 of Annex XVII to REACH, and EN 12472 "Method for the simulation of accelerated wear and corrosion for the detection of nickel release from coated items," which is one of those European Compliance Standards under REACH.

Major Changes:

According to a recent publication of EN 12472:2020, which replaced EN 12472:2005+A1:2009, the European Commission adopted this revised EN and announced the changes on 2021-04-20. The updated list of superseded standards to be used as the test methods for demonstrating the conformity of nickel release (Entry 27 of Annex XVII to REACH) is as follows:

Effective Date:

The update was effective immediately on 2021-04-20.

References:

 for details.