Thyssen, J. P., Linneberg, A., Menné, T. and Johansen, J. D. (2007), The epidemiology of contact allergy in the general population – prevalence and main findings. Contact Dermatitis, 57: 287–299.

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European Union Nickel Directive

The Nickel Directive is only enforced in Europe and is not in effect anywhere else. As a result of various problems associated with nickel sensitisation on clothes and jewelry, the European Community (EC) Nickel Directive (76/769/EEC – now 94/27/EEC) was enacted on the 20th of July 1999, and became law in the EU on the 20th of January 2000.

The directive was devised due to fears about allergic reactions and sensitisation to nickel, and has been designed to reduce any problems caused by this metal.

There is no ambiguity. Any supplier saying this Directive is not law is misguided or ill-informed. It is the law and moreover, both the supplier and the piercer share the responsibility of ensuring that this legislation is enforced.

The directive is a large and complex document, but can be simply put as follows:

Items intended to come into contact with BROKEN skin are restricted to a mass of 0.05% nickel.

Items intended to come into close and prolonged contact with skin are restricted to a release rate of 0.5ug/cm2week of nickel.

316L SURGICAL STEEL contains between 6-13% nickel and it does not conform to the first part of the Directive and it cannot, therefore, be used for fresh piercings. It can only be used after the healing process (also known as ‘epithelization’) has taken place, as replacement jewelry, since it does not release nickel.

TITANIUM does not contain nickel but can attract it during the manufacturing process. This means that it does conform to the first part of the Directive, but may not conform to the nickel release directive, depending on the standards of the manufacturer.