European Nickel Directive Revised
November 2004 -- The original nickel directive (Council Directive 94/27/EC) prohibited the presence of nickel in any material used in the piercing of the body unless such materials are homogeneous and the concentration of nickel, expressed as mass of nickel to total mass, is less than 0,05%. The new directive (Commission Directive 2004/96/EC of 27 September 2004) replaces the ban on nickel with a limit on the amount of nickel that can be released. It comes into effect 1 September 2005.
"Post assemblies" (also called ‘studs’ or simply ‘posts’) are used to keep newly created holes open during the healing period after piercing. The same "post assemblies" are part of jewellery that can be worn after piercing.
This revision corrects an anomaly where nickel-containing stainless steels could be used in surgery and implants but not for things like pierced ears.
The level of permitted nickel release for studs will be 0.2 micrograms per square centimeter per week, markedly less than the 0.5 micrograms per square centimeter established for products intended to be in direct and prolonged contact with the skin.
The nickel industry participated in the review process and supports the objectives and revision of the nickel directive.
