DS CEN Guide 16:2017

Guide for addressing chemicals in standards for consumer-relevant products

Scope

This document provides guidance on addressing chemicals in the development of standards for consumer-relevant articles. The aim is to minimize the impacts of chemicals of concern on human health and the environment by complying with, complementing or going beyond legal obligations for environmental dimension is considered, where feasible and where appropriate, for instance by addressing environmental exposure or persistent or bio-accumulative chemicals.
The Guide is intended to assist in the development of normative provisions for chemicals, particularly in those areas where specific regulatory provisions (e.g. limit values) for chemicals are absent and are not envisaged to be implemented in the foreseeable future such as articles covered by the General Product Safety Directive (2001/95/EC). In so doing, the Guide aims to facilitate the placing on the market of safe products. In addition, these guidelines can assist those with a general professional interest in consumer safety.
The Guide including the associated background information document presents a comprehensive overview of approaches taken on chemicals in various legislative and voluntary tools. It is not intended to override legal obligations. Both documents reflect the status as of April 2017.
Electrical and electronic equipment, and ICT products, are excluded from the scope as these products fall under the lead of CENELEC and ETSI, respectively. Food contact materials, materials used in the supply of drinking water, medical devices, and construction products are also excluded. This is because comprehensive, detailed and specific regulation on chemicals in these products is either already available or subject to consideration and debate; because specific approaches are required; or because performance requirements are supposed to be addressed at national level; or a combination of all these. Nonetheless, some of the guidance may be useful in areas excluded from the scope of the Guide.
It is envisaged that sector specific guides or standards dealing with chemical hazards in standards for consumer-relevant articles, where available, should be used in conjunction with the present Guide.
NOTE The Bibliography includes relevant CEN sector guidance documents.