Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
REACH nickel is the common term for the nickel restriction under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), Annex XVII, entry 27. Metal accessories in direct and prolonged contact with skin – such as jeans buttons, snap fasteners, rivets, zips and buckles – must not release more than 0.5 µg of nickel per cm² per week. However, REACH covers more than nickel: it also restricts phthalates, lead, cadmium, azo dyes and substances on the SVHC candidate list. Here is what this means for your brand and how to prepare.
REACH nickel release: limits and measurement methods
The restriction applies to nickel release, not the nickel content in the alloy. This is important: a nickel-plated button can comply if the coating is intact and does not release nickel above the limit, while a “nickel free” button may fail if the underlying layer is poor quality.
| Parameter | Value / Method |
|---|---|
| Limit for items in prolonged skin contact | 0.5 µg/cm²/week |
| Limit for parts inserted into pierced body parts | 0.2 µg/cm²/week |
| Release measurement method | EN 1811 |
| Wear simulation for coated items | EN 12472, before EN 1811 |
For coated items, the coating must ensure compliance for at least two years of normal use – therefore, wear and corrosion simulation is done first, followed by nickel release testing.
REACH nickel regulations: which accessories are affected
- Strict attention required – jeans buttons and rivets, snap fasteners, metal zips, belt buckles, eyelets in skin contact areas, bra fasteners.
- Lower risk – metal logo plates and zip pullers that do not have prolonged skin contact, though brands often include them in safety testing.
If you seek nickel-free accessories, clarify whether you mean “no nickel in alloy and coating” (nickel free) or “compliant with nickel release limits” (nickel safe). These are different specifications with different costs.
Beyond nickel: Annex XVII restrictions
Annex XVII lists restrictions directly applicable to products. For garment accessories, the most relevant are:
- Phthalates (entry 51) – DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP together not exceeding 0.1% by weight of plasticised material. Applies to soft plastics, PVC labels, coatings.
- Lead (entry 63) – restrictions for parts children may put in their mouths and for jewellery.
- Cadmium (entry 23) – restrictions in plastics, paints and metal jewellery parts.
- Azo dyes (entry 43) – ban on dyes releasing certain aromatic amines above 30 mg/kg in textiles and leather in skin contact.
- Chromium VI in leather (entry 47) – limit of 3 mg/kg for leather items in skin contact, e.g. leather labels.
- CMR substances in textiles (entry 72) – restrictions on carcinogenic, mutagenic and toxic substances in textiles.
The list is expanding – for example, with restrictions on some perfluorinated substances (PFAS). Check the current text on the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) website.
SVHC: candidate list and information obligations
SVHC (substances of very high concern) are chemicals causing serious concern. The candidate list is updated twice a year. If an item – such as a button, zip or buckle – contains an SVHC above 0.1% by weight, the supplier must inform their customer and, upon request, the consumer within 45 days. Since 2021, such items must also be registered in ECHA’s SCIP database.
For your brand, the practical question is whether your accessory suppliers provide written confirmation that their items do not contain SVHC above 0.1%, according to the current list.
Plastic accessories matter too
Often the focus is only on metals, but plastics pose different risks. Soft materials – PVC labels, rubber zip pullers, coated cords – may contain plasticisers. Colour pigments in cheap plastics have historically been sources of lead and cadmium. Hard polyester buttons, acetal moulded zips and polyamide buckles usually have lower risk, but dyes and additives must also comply. Therefore, request your supplier’s declaration to cover all material groups in your order, not just metal parts, and check that test reports cover specific colours.
Documents your brand should keep
- Declaration of REACH compliance from your supplier – referencing the current SVHC candidate list version.
- Test reports for nickel release (EN 1811, with EN 12472 for coated items) for metal accessories in skin contact.
- OEKO-TEX® certificate covering nickel, phthalates and heavy metals testing.
- Material specification – alloy, coating, plastic type.
- Traceability – linking accessory batches to the garment models they are used in.
These documents are increasingly required by retail chains and form the basis for market surveillance inspections.
Practical tips when choosing metal accessories
- For children’s clothing and underwear, choose brass with nickel-free coating or stainless steel.
- Do not change coating or supplier without new testing – release depends on the process.
- Dark coatings (antique, black nickel colour) must also be tested.
- Keep an approved sample from each batch.
Suitable models can be found among metal buttons and snap buttons.
Nickel-free accessories with documentation from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer and wholesaler of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags based in Sofia, with over 30 years of experience. We select materials according to European legislation requirements, including REACH, and all products have OEKO-TEX® certification. In the accessories category you will find metal and plastic accessories, and on the certificates page you can learn more about the documentation. Specify your requirements in the inquiry.
