What are the testing items for adhesives under the EU REACH standard?
Date：2026-03-12 09:56:19 Classification
：【question】 Visits：
Adhesives are classified as "preparations" under the EU REACH regulation. REACH testing for adhesives mainly falls into two core areas: SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) testing and Annex XVII (Restricted Substances) testing.
I. SVHC Testing
This is the most basic and common testing requirement. According to REACH regulations, if the SVHC content in an adhesive exceeds 0.1% and the annual export volume exceeds 1 tonne, notification must be made to ECHA; regardless of the quantity, information must be communicated to downstream users.
Since the SVHC list is updated every six months (currently totaling over 253 substances), full testing is costly. Therefore, laboratories typically conduct package testing for high-risk substances in adhesives:
1. Phthalate Esters:
This is the most common testing item in adhesives, commonly used as plasticizers.
Common Items: DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP, DINP, DIDP, etc.
Risk Points: * Flexible PVC adhesives, solvent-based adhesives.
2. Organotin Compounds:
Commonly used as catalysts or preservatives.
Common Items: Tributyltin (TBT), Triphenyltin (TPT), Dibutyltin (DBT), etc.
Risk Points: * PU adhesives, silicone, curing agents.
3. Short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCP):
Commonly used as flame retardants or plasticizers.
Risk Points: * Flame-retardant adhesives, sealants.
4. Formaldehyde:
Preservative or synthetic raw material residues.
Risk Points: * Water-based adhesives, urea-formaldehyde resin adhesives.
5. Ethylene glycol ethers:
Commonly used as solvents.
Common Items: Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, etc.
6. Heavy Metals:
Lead, cadmium, arsenic, cobalt, nickel, etc.
Risk Points: * Pigment additives or catalyst residues.
7. Other Common Items: Phenol, Bisphenol A (BPA), Nonylphenol (NP), etc.
II. Annex XVII Restricted Substances Testing
This section contains mandatory restrictions. Adhesives containing these substances in excess of the limits are strictly prohibited from sale in the EU market. For adhesives, the following items are of particular concern:
1. Benzene:
Restriction: Prohibited from use in toys or toy parts, and limits are in place for general products. Residual benzene in adhesives poses an extremely high risk.
2. Toluene and Xylene:
Restriction: Commonly used as solvents in glues; residual levels must be verified to meet limits (typically, the limit for toluene in toys is 0.2%).
3. Organotin:
Restriction: Trisubstituted organotin compounds (such as TBT) are prohibited from use as bactericides; dibutyltin (DBT) is prohibited from use as a curing agent (with specific exemptions).
4. Azo Dyes:
If the adhesive is colored, azo dyes that can release carcinogenic aromatic amines must be tested.
5. Cadmium:
Restriction: The cadmium content in polymer materials generally must not exceed 0.01% (100 mg/kg).
6. Hexavalent Chromium:
Special attention is needed for adhesives used in leather because the limit for hexavalent chromium in leather is extremely strict (3 mg/kg).
7. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs):
If the adhesive contains rubber components or mineral oil fillers, PAHs testing is required.
III. Recommendations for Testing Focus on Different Types of Adhesives
To save costs and ensure accurate compliance, different types of adhesives require different focuses:
Solvent-based adhesives (e.g., all-purpose glue, spray adhesives):
Key testing areas: Benzene series compounds (benzene, toluene, xylene), n-hexane, halogenated hydrocarbons, phthalates.
Water-based adhesives (e.g., white glue, water-based PU glue):
Key testing areas: Formaldehyde, heavy metals, preservatives (MIT/CIT/OIT), acrylamide.
Hot melt adhesives:
Key testing areas: Phthalate, heavy metals, PAHs (because the substrate is often a petroleum derivative such as SIS/SBS/EVA).
Silicone sealants (glass glue):
Key testing areas: Organotin compounds (very critical, commonly used as catalysts), siloxanes (D4/D5/D6).
Epoxy resin adhesives (AB glue):
Key testing areas: Epichlorohydrin, heavy metals, organotin compounds.
IV. Summary and Recommendations
If you are an adhesive exporter, the typical procedure for handling "REACH test report" requests from customers is as follows:
1. Confirm Requirements: Inquire with the customer whether they require full SVHC testing (currently approximately 253 items, expensive, comprehensive coverage) or a high-risk package of tests specifically for adhesives (lower cost, more targeted).
2. Provide SDS: Adhesives are chemicals and must provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) compliant with REACH requirements. This is the basis for registration and the transfer of SVHC information.
3. Compliance Testing: Send samples to a third-party testing organization, focusing on testing for SVHCs and restricted substances in Annex XVII.
Shen Gongwang Security: 44030602006947