The EU limits how much nickel jewellery may release, not how much it contains. Under REACH Annex XVII, entry 27, posts inserted into pierced ears or other pierced parts of the body must release less than 0.2 micrograms of nickel per square centimetre per week, and items in direct and prolonged contact with the skin, such as earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and watch backs, must release less than 0.5.
Limits are revised from time to time, so confirm the current values and test method with your test lab before you order.
The coating rule
Plated items carry an extra condition. If the piece has a coating, such as gold plating over a nickel layer, the coating must keep nickel release below 0.5 for at least two years of normal use. That is why coated items are put through a simulated wear and corrosion step before the nickel test.
This is the rule that catches most imitation jewellery. A new gold-plated piece may pass easily, but if a bright nickel underlayer sits under thin gold, the piece can fail once wear is simulated.
Where nickel comes from in Rajkot jewellery
- Bright nickel underlayers used to give a mirror base under gold or rhodium.
- Some base alloys, including certain white metals and zinc alloys.
- Findings bought in: clasps, jump rings, chains, hooks and earring backs.
- Cheap stainless steel parts with high nickel release.
How to comply
- Specify nickel-free plating, using a barrier layer such as white bronze or palladium instead of nickel.
- Ask for findings from a supplier who can show nickel test reports.
- Use titanium, implant grade steel or plastic for piercing posts.
- Test production pieces, not only the first sample, with EN 1811.
- Keep test reports on file for each design or material combination.
What this means for a buyer
If you sell in the EU, make nickel-free plating a written requirement from the first quote. Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing: we confirm plating layers and findings with the workshop, have samples tested at NABL-accredited labs and supervise packing. Ask for a free sourcing review.