Test Methods for Certain Aromatic Amines Derived from Azo Colorants

Some azo colorants have been identified as hazardous in that they form carcinogens when degraded. Accordingly, Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare will restrict the sale of textiles and leather goods using these azo colorants, starting from April 1, 2016. Azo colorants have an azo group (A-N=N-B) and account for over 50% of organic pigments. The azo group double bond is degraded on the surface of the skin, by intestinal bacteria, and by the liver, forming amines (A-NH2 and B-NH2). Some of the amines formed (certain aromatic amines) are suspected to be carcinogenic. Consequently, these azo colorants are already restricted in the EU, China, and South Korea. In Japan, they are currently subject to voluntary restriction, but will be legally restricted starting April 1, 2016. The analysis methods specified in JIS L 1940 (based on EN 14362-1:20121) and EN 14362-3:20122) test methods) will be applied to test azo colorants. In South Korea and China, there are a number of manufacturers manufacturing and exporting textiles and leather goods. At testing service laboratories, inspection tests are implemented based on EN 14362-1 and -3 methods.

This data sheet provides an overview of inspection methods for certain aromatic amines derived from azo colorants, as well as a description on separation of certain aromatic amines.