Fact sheet: Azo pigments

There is a ban on the import, sale and use of a specific blue azo pigment, and azo pigments that may release carcinogens, as well as certain products containing azo pigments.

The blue pigment (index no. 611-070-00-2; EF no. 405-665-4)

It is prohibited to import, sell or use the blue azo dye when it is intended to color textile and leather goods. The rule applies to the dye itself and to color solutions or mixtures containing the blue dye. Please note that the limit for the content of the dye as impurity in a solution or mixture is 0.1 percent of the weight.

Azo pigments that can release carcinogens

The regulations identify 22 specific substances (aromatic amines) prohibited in textile and leather goods that could come into direct contact with the skin or oral cavity for prolonged periods.

There is a ban on using azo pigments that may release one or more of the 22 substances to dye these textile and leather goods. There is also a ban on the import or sale of these textile and leather goods if they are dyed using the prohibited azo pigments, for example, in countries outside the EU.

These prohibitions only apply to the dyeing, import or sale of textile and leather goods that could come into direct contact with the skin or oral cavity for prolonged periods, such as:

• items of clothing, bed linen, sleeping bags, towels, toupees and wigs, hats, nappies and other personal hygiene items.
• footwear, gloves, wristwatch bands, handbags, purses and wallets, document folders, chair upholstery, money belts
• textile or leather toys, and toys containing textile or leather clothing items
• yarn and fabrics intended for end consumers

The above list is not exhaustive.

Please note that the limit on the level of each of the 22 carcinogenic substances permitted as an impurity in the dyed parts of the leather goods is 0.003 per cent by weight. The Statutory Order specifies testing methods to measure whether this limit is being complied with.

Please note that the limit for the total content of the 22 carcinogenic substances as impurities in the colored parts of the textile or leather goods is 0.003 percent of the weight. The rules establish test methods for measuring how it can be documented that this limit is complied with.

The prohibited azo pigments may cause cancer and harm the environment

The regulations exist in order to limit the use of azo pigments that are harmful to health and the environment. Certain azo pigments may form carcinogenic substances (arylamines) or are very toxic to the aquatic environment.

Importers, distributors and users are responsible

The rule about the blue dye: Anyone who imports, sells or uses azo dyes intended to dye textile and leather goods is responsible for complying with the rules.

The rule about azo dyes that can release carcinogenic substances: Anyone who dyes, imports or sells textile and leather goods that may come into direct contact with the skin or oral cavity for a prolonged period of time is responsible for complying with the rules.

In both cases, it is the Chemical Inspection of the Environmental Protection Agency that supervises compliance with the rules and must ensure that illegal conditions are legalized. This may mean that the product has to be withdrawn from the Danish market, or that the product must be made legal in some other way. In addition, violating the rules can lead to a fine.

Control

In both cases, it is the Chemical Inspection of the Danish Environmental Protection Agency that supervises compliance with the rules and must ensure that illegal conditions are legalized. This may mean that the product has to be withdrawn from the Danish market, or that the product must be made legal in some other way. In addition, violating the rules can lead to a fine.