From 1st April 2008, the testing for Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) became mandatory in GS certification according to the document ZEK 01-08, which was decided by the board for technical work equipment and consumer products (AtAV).The 16 PAHs list was based on the United States Environmental Protection Agency specifications. The set of 16 EPA-PAHs were classified as carcinogenic. ZEK 01-08 was replaced by ZEK 01.2-08 in December of 2008 as new evaluation requirement in GS product certification.
The EFSA (European Food Safety Administration) and the DFG (German Research Foundation) Senate Commission have made actual assessments that there are two carcinogenic category 2 substances (Benzo[j]fluoranthene and Benzo[e]pyrene), which are not included in the 16 EPA-PAHs recently.
During the 67th meeting of the ZEK on September 28th and 29th 2011, an expansion of the PAH-substance list suggested by the Commission for Technical Work Equipment and Consumer Goods (AtAV) was accepted, increasing the list of PAHs from 16 to 18 substances. The two new substances are Benzo[j]fluoranthene and Benzo[e]pyrene. They are included among others in the list of REACH Annex XVII regulated substances (item No 50), but have not been regarded so far in the context of the GS mark. The AtAV recommends the use of the following updated 18 PAHs substances list as basis for granting the GS mark. The analysis method ZEK 01.2-08 should continue to be used.
After 6 months of official publication of the proposal (expansion two new PAHs) in the website of ZLS (Central Department of the Federal States for Safety Features), these 18 PAHs evaluation requirement will become mandatory in GS certification of product.
How can TÜV SÜD support you?
Comprehensive high quality testing and analysis reports based on up-to-date knowledge of PAH accepted guidelines and standards
We provide expert opinions and judgment on test grouping
Our labs and experts are capable of testing to tougher limits (detection limit of 0.1ppm)
