Substance group
What counts as Eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)?
Only European Union defines Eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in its law. Read the definition below. You tell us if your product contains it; we never guess from its name.
- Free
- No account needed
- The law behind every rule
Group
Definitions
“(a) Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) CAS No 50-32-8 (b) Benzo[e]pyrene (BeP) CAS No 192-97-2 (c) Benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) CAS No 56-55-3 (d) Chrysen (CHR) CAS No 218-01-9 (e) Benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbFA) CAS No 205-99-2 (f) Benzo[j]fluoranthene (BjFA) CAS No 205-82-3 (g) Benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkFA) CAS No 207-08-9 (h) Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBAhA) CAS No 53-70-3”
- Definition
- Eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons listed in entry 50 (a)-(h): benzo[a]pyrene, benzo[e]pyrene, benzo[a]anthracene, chrysene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[j]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, dibenzo[a,h]anthracene
- Listed members
- Benzo[a]pyrene, Benzo[e]pyrene, Benz[a]anthracene, Chrysene, Benzo[b]fluoranthene, Benzo[j]fluoranthene, Benzo[k]fluoranthene, Dibenz[a,h]anthracene
- Source
“(a) Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) CAS No 50-32-8 (b) Benzo[e]pyrene (BeP) CAS No 192-97-2 (c) Benzo[a]anthracene (BaA) CAS No 56-55-3 (d) Chrysen (CHR) CAS No 218-01-9 (e) Benzo[b]fluoranthene (BbFA) CAS No 205-99-2 (f) Benzo[j]fluoranthene (BjFA) CAS No 205-82-3 (g) Benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkFA) CAS No 207-08-9 (h) Dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBAhA) CAS No 53-70-3”
Entry 50 · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Entry 50(opens in a new tab)
Rules
Rules that use this definition
3 rules.
Limit 0.5 mg/kg (content basis)
each listed PAH, in rubber or plastic components of toys and childcare articles in contact with skin or oral cavity (0,00005 % by weight of the component)
Exemptions (1)
Paragraphs 5 and 6 do not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015.
“By way of derogation from paragraphs 5 and 6, these paragraphs shall not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015.”
Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 22 Jun 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02006R1907-20260622 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.
- Children's product
- Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Rubber or Silicone
Depends on: whether it is a children's product, materials
In force since 27 Dec 2015
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 27 Dec 2015
Entry 50 para 7: para 6 does not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015. Childcare articles are not defined in entry 50; the entry 51 definition (feeding of children) is used for children's tableware. Silicone included as rubber (judgement).
“Toys, including activity toys, and childcare articles, shall not be placed on the market, if any of their rubber or plastic components that come into direct as well as prolonged or short-term repetitive contact with the human skin or the oral cavity, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, contain more than 0,5 mg/kg”
Limit 1 mg/kg (content basis)
each listed PAH, concentration in homogeneous material (Appendix 12)
Exemptions (3)
Wall-to-wall carpets, textile floor coverings, rugs and runners.
“(d) wall-to-wall carpets and textile floor coverings for indoor use, rugs and runners.”
Disposable textiles (textiles other than clothing).
“Paragraph 1(b) shall not apply to disposable textiles.”
Second-hand clothing, related accessories and textiles other than clothing.
“(c) second-hand clothing, related accessories, textiles other than clothing or footwear”
Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 22 Jun 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02006R1907-20260622 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.
Every product in the category
In force since 2 Nov 2020
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 2 Nov 2020
Entry 72 para 1: shall not be placed on the market after 1 November 2020, so the first covered date is 2020-11-02. Applies to clothing, related accessories and textiles other than clothing that contact skin to an extent similar to clothing, for use by consumers; encoded for bed linen, throws and aprons only. Upholstered seating is not covered by ClaraDB (para 2 upholstery transition for formaldehyde).
“Benz[e]acephenanthrylene 601-034-00-4 205-99-2 205-911-9 1 mg/kg”
Limit 1 mg/kg (content basis)
each listed PAH, in rubber or plastic components in direct and prolonged or short-term repetitive contact with skin or oral cavity (0,0001 % by weight of the component)
Exemptions (1)
Paragraphs 5 and 6 do not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015.
“By way of derogation from paragraphs 5 and 6, these paragraphs shall not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015.”
Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 22 Jun 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02006R1907-20260622 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.
- Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Rubber or Silicone
Depends on: materials
In force since 27 Dec 2015
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 27 Dec 2015
Entry 50 para 7: paras 5 and 6 do not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015, so the limit applies from 27 December 2015. Para 5 names household utensils and covers any article with rubber or plastic components in direct and prolonged or short-term repetitive contact with skin or oral cavity; encoded for utensils, dinnerware and drinkware only. Silicone included as rubber (entry 51 para 5(a) treats silicone rubber as a rubber material).
“Articles shall not be placed on the market for supply to the general public, if any of their rubber or plastic components that come into direct as well as prolonged or short-term repetitive contact with the human skin or the oral cavity, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, contain more than 1 mg/kg (0,0001 % by weight of this component) of any of the listed PAHs.”
- LimitEUEight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as defined in European Union
Limit 0.5 mg/kg (content basis)
each listed PAH, in rubber or plastic components of toys and childcare articles in contact with skin or oral cavity (0,00005 % by weight of the component)
Exemptions (1)
Paragraphs 5 and 6 do not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015.
“By way of derogation from paragraphs 5 and 6, these paragraphs shall not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015.”
Entry 50 para 7 · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII(opens in a new tab) Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 22 Jun 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02006R1907-20260622 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.
- Applies when
- Children's product
- Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Rubber or Silicone
Depends on: whether it is a children's product, materials
- Effective
In force since 27 Dec 2015
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 27 Dec 2015
Entry 50 para 7: para 6 does not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015. Childcare articles are not defined in entry 50; the entry 51 definition (feeding of children) is used for children's tableware. Silicone included as rubber (judgement).
- Source
“Toys, including activity toys, and childcare articles, shall not be placed on the market, if any of their rubber or plastic components that come into direct as well as prolonged or short-term repetitive contact with the human skin or the oral cavity, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, contain more than 0,5 mg/kg”
Annex XVII entry 50 para 6 (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII(opens in a new tab)
- LimitEUEight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as defined in European Union
Limit 1 mg/kg (content basis)
each listed PAH, concentration in homogeneous material (Appendix 12)
Exemptions (3)
Wall-to-wall carpets, textile floor coverings, rugs and runners.
“(d) wall-to-wall carpets and textile floor coverings for indoor use, rugs and runners.”
Entry 72 para 3(d) · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII(opens in a new tab) Disposable textiles (textiles other than clothing).
“Paragraph 1(b) shall not apply to disposable textiles.”
Entry 72 para 5 · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII(opens in a new tab) Second-hand clothing, related accessories and textiles other than clothing.
“(c) second-hand clothing, related accessories, textiles other than clothing or footwear”
Entry 72 para 3(c) (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII(opens in a new tab) Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 22 Jun 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02006R1907-20260622 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.
- Applies when
Every product in the category
- Effective
In force since 2 Nov 2020
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 2 Nov 2020
Entry 72 para 1: shall not be placed on the market after 1 November 2020, so the first covered date is 2020-11-02. Applies to clothing, related accessories and textiles other than clothing that contact skin to an extent similar to clothing, for use by consumers; encoded for bed linen, throws and aprons only. Upholstered seating is not covered by ClaraDB (para 2 upholstery transition for formaldehyde).
- Source
“Benz[e]acephenanthrylene 601-034-00-4 205-99-2 205-911-9 1 mg/kg”
Annex XVII entry 72 Appendix 12 (PAH) (excerpt) · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII(opens in a new tab)
- LimitEUEight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as defined in European Union
Limit 1 mg/kg (content basis)
each listed PAH, in rubber or plastic components in direct and prolonged or short-term repetitive contact with skin or oral cavity (0,0001 % by weight of the component)
Exemptions (1)
Paragraphs 5 and 6 do not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015.
“By way of derogation from paragraphs 5 and 6, these paragraphs shall not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015.”
Entry 50 para 7 · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII(opens in a new tab) Consolidated text (not the authentic legal edition), current to 22 Jun 2026. EUR-Lex consolidated text: a documentation tool without legal effect; the acts published in the Official Journal are authentic. Consolidated version CELEX 02006R1907-20260622 from the Publications Office, the latest when read.
- Applies when
- Material: Plastic (type not stated) or Rubber or Silicone
Depends on: materials
- Effective
In force since 27 Dec 2015
Applies to products placed on the market on or after 27 Dec 2015
Entry 50 para 7: paras 5 and 6 do not apply to articles placed on the market for the first time before 27 December 2015, so the limit applies from 27 December 2015. Para 5 names household utensils and covers any article with rubber or plastic components in direct and prolonged or short-term repetitive contact with skin or oral cavity; encoded for utensils, dinnerware and drinkware only. Silicone included as rubber (entry 51 para 5(a) treats silicone rubber as a rubber material).
- Source
“Articles shall not be placed on the market for supply to the general public, if any of their rubber or plastic components that come into direct as well as prolonged or short-term repetitive contact with the human skin or the oral cavity, under normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use, contain more than 1 mg/kg (0,0001 % by weight of this component) of any of the listed PAHs.”
Annex XVII entry 50 para 5 · fetched 2026-10-08ECHA / European Commission: Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 Annex XVII(opens in a new tab)
See also
Related
- Check a product
Tell us if Eight polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is in your product and see what applies where you sell.
- Markets and sources
When our coverage starts in every market.
- Upcoming changes
Rule changes that start in the next 24 months.
Alerts
Get an email when these rules change.
Check a product free, no account needed. Save it, and you see when a rule that affects it changes, and Team emails you the day it does.