The restrictions on azo dyes under the EU REACH Regulation primarily target those dyes capable of cleaving to release any of 22 specific carcinogenic aromatic amines. The restriction conditions for azo dyes and azo colorants are as follows:

1.Azo dyes which, upon reductive cleavage of one or more azo groups, may release one or more of the aromatic amines listed in Appendix 8 of this Regulation, shall not be used in textile and leather articles which may come into direct and prolonged contact with the human skin or oral cavity, if the detectable concentration of each concerned amine released exceeds 30 mg/kg (i.e., 0.003% w/w) in the finished article or its dyed parts, when tested according to the methods specified in Appendix 10. Examples of such articles include:

— Clothing, bedding, towels, wigs, hairpieces, hats, diapers, and other sanitary items, sleeping bags;

— Footwear, gloves, watch straps, handbags, wallets, briefcases, chair covers, neck-worn pouches;

— Textile or leather toys and toys clad with textile or leather;

— Yarn and other fibrous products intended for the end consumer.

2.Furthermore, the textile and leather articles referred to in point 1 shall not be placed on the market unless they comply with the requirements set out therein.

3.The azo dyes listed in Appendix 9 of this Regulation, entitled 'List of Azo Dyes', shall not be placed on the market, or used in the dyeing of textiles or leather, as substances or as constituents of mixtures in a concentration equal to or greater than 0.1% by mass.

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