BIH: Does your jewelry contain hazardous substances?

You might be wondering why I'm writing about jewelry. It's not the gift-giving season, and it seems unrelated to the chemicals I usually discuss.

However, everything is connected to chemicals, including the jewelry we buy, gift, and love to wear.

Since these are products that come into contact with the skin and mucous membranes, it's crucial they are safe. Various chemicals are used in jewelry production or are present in the materials used to make jewelry. Therefore, regulations define restrictions or bans on certain substances that may be found in jewelry, including costume jewelry.

You're already aware that in the Republic of Srpska, the Regulation on Restrictions and Prohibitions of Chemicals is in force, addressing these issues. The prescribed restrictions and prohibitions are identical to those in the European Union.

In the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the adoption of an equivalent regulation is still awaited.

Let's look at the restrictions prescribed by the Regulation on Restrictions and Prohibitions of Chemicals for certain substances in jewelry:

• Cadmium: < 0.01% in metal components for making jewelry or metal parts of jewelry,
• Nickel:
  • Not used in jewelry inserted into pierced ears or other pierced body parts if it releases 0.2 μg/cm² or more of nickel per week,
  • Not used in jewelry in direct or prolonged contact with the skin if it releases 0.5 μg/cm² or more of nickel per week,
• Lead: < 0.05% in jewelry or components for making jewelry.

Exceptions are prescribed for antique jewelry pieces (jewelry that is over 50 years old on the date a particular restriction comes into effect).

Additional restrictions exist for jewelry or other accessories made from plastic, textiles, or leather. For these types of products, restrictions are prescribed for the use of certain substances or groups of substances. Among other things, the following are restricted:

• Phthalates in plasticized parts: < 0.1%,
• Azo dyes in textile and leather parts: < 0.003%,
• Hexavalent chromium in leather products: < 0.003%, etc.

In addition to chemical regulations, jewelry in the Republic of Srpska is also regulated by general use item regulations.

The Regulation on the Safety of General Consumption Items ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Srpska", no. 17/15, 13/17 and 39/23) stipulates that general consumption items, including jewelry, can only be made from appropriate materials that do not contain ingredients harmful to human health.

It is stipulated that jewelry containing nickel and in direct and prolonged contact with the skin must not release nickel in quantities greater than 0.5 μg/cm² per week (no differences are specified depending on the type of jewelry, as is the case in chemical regulations).

Regarding heavy metals, jewelry must not release them in the following quantities (expressed per kg or L of medium, or model solution):

The regulation further stipulates that products must not be damaged, must be well-shaped, and neatly processed to avoid causing injuries during use. Additionally, they must not release dyes or other harmful substances or cause skin irritation.

Now you see what chemicals can be found in jewelry and what needs to be checked to ensure jewelry is safe to use.

Do you have questions about dangerous substances in other products? Write to me at nina.pajovic@bens-consulting.eu.