1 Scope
This standard establishes a list of critical chemical substances potentially present in footwear and footwear components.
This standard describes the critical chemical substances, their potential risks, in which materials they could be found, and which test method(s) can be used to quantify them. It does not include requirements; it is the responsibility of the user of this standard to fix his level of acceptance, e.g. using a defined concentration or detection limit or quantification limit, etc.
The proposed test methods indicate the state of the art. Some substances do not include a test method, as no normative test method is available at the moment of the publication of this standard. If possible, it will be included in a further revision of this standard.
This standard applies to any kind of footwear and footwear material.
2 Terms and Definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
2.1 allergen
substance that is capable of inducing an allergic reaction
2.2 allergy
immunologically mediated response to certain specific substances (allergens)
Note: Type-1 allergy is mediated by IgE antibodies, may cause asthma, rhinitis, urticaria. Type-4 allergy is mediated by T-cells, may cause dermatitis.
2.3 detection limit
value from which a substance is considered as detectable
Note: This means that the signal associated to the substance is three times bigger than the background noise signal. The limit of detection is determined experimentally by the laboratory for each substance.
2.4 quantification limit
value from which a substance is considered as measurable
Note: It is the value where the uncertainty of measurement is equal to 50% of the determined value.
2.5 absence of a chemical
a chemical is absent from a material, when the test method is unable to detect it
Note: The amount of the chemical is smaller than the detection limit of the test method.
2.6 critical substances
chemical substance that can be found in footwear or footwear components and can have an effect on the wearer and environmental impact due to its chemical reactivity
Note 1: The effects caused by critical substances vary. It can be carcinogenic or mutagenic effects, allergy, reaction to toxics, etc.
Note 2: Legislations could change; this standard gives the information available at its publication date. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to ensure that no changes occur.
2.6.1 critical substances category 1
substances with proven dangerous effect on the wearer
Note: These substances are restricted by regulation at European level.
