DIN EN ISO 17072-1 Leather: Extractable Metals (accredited)

Our test laboratory performs testing according to DIN EN ISO 17072-1 using an accredited method to determine extractable metals in leather. Metal constituents are extracted from the material using an acidic artificial perspiration solution and subsequently quantified using suitable analytical techniques. The examination enables the determination of chromium, nickel, cobalt, lead, cadmium and other metals that may be relevant for assessing the chemical properties and product safety of leather.

The method is suitable for different types of leather and leather products, particularly materials intended for direct skin contact. Typical applications include leather used for footwear, clothing, gloves, accessories and furniture upholstery. Since metals may be introduced into leather through tanning processes, dyes, pigments and other processing agents, the test provides important information for chemical material characterisation and the assessment of potentially harmful substances.

Test Procedure According to DIN EN ISO 17072-1

During testing, a prepared leather specimen is extracted with an acidic artificial perspiration solution at a temperature of 37 °C for four hours. These standardised laboratory conditions simulate the release of metal constituents through contact with acidic perspiration.

After extraction, the solution is prepared and analysed using suitable instrumental techniques. The standard specifies several analytical methods, including inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

The measured metal concentrations are expressed in mg/kg relative to the dry mass of the leather. It is important to note that the method determines only the metal fraction extractable under the specified conditions, rather than the total metal content of the material. Furthermore, the test does not distinguish between individual chemical compounds or oxidation states of a metal.

Applications of the Test

Testing according to DIN EN ISO 17072-1 enables the quantitative assessment of extractable metal constituents in leather. Differences in tanning, dyeing, finishing and raw material composition can influence the release of metals and can be characterised by this test.

Typical applications include footwear, leather garments, gloves, bags, furniture upholstery and other leather-containing consumer products. The results support material selection, product development, incoming goods inspection and quality assurance. They can also be used to verify compliance with specified requirements for metal concentrations, such as those defined in product specifications and harmful substance standards.

The examination is particularly important for leather intended for prolonged skin contact. Extraction using artificial perspiration provides reproducible information about the quantities of metals that can be released from the material under defined conditions. However, the results should not be directly equated with the actual amount of metal absorbed through the skin.

Related Tests

For additional characterisation of leather, FILK offers testing according to DIN EN ISO 17072-2 to determine the total metal content. While DIN EN ISO 17072-1 measures the metal fraction extractable under defined conditions, DIN EN ISO 17072-2 determines the total metal content of leather.

For the specific determination of potentially harmful hexavalent chromium, FILK performs accredited testing according to DIN EN ISO 17075-1 and DIN EN ISO 17075-2. These methods differ from DIN EN ISO 17072-1 because they specifically determine chromium(VI). Further analytical methods are summarised in the Heavy Metals section.

Further information on testing for metals and other inorganic harmful substances is available in our Inorganic Harmful Substances overview. A broader overview of our chemical testing methods is provided in the Chemical Analysis section. Our complete range of testing services can be found in the Accredited Test Laboratory overview.