Heavy Metal Analysis — EN 16711 / ISO 17072 / EN 71-3 / ICP-MS · Footwear and Leather Testing

What Is Heavy Metals?

Heavy metal analysis is the determination of the concentration of elements such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, chromium and nickel in the sample. Measurement is done by ICP-OES or ICP-MS; The decisive factor is the sample preparation step and this step varies depending on the matrix. IN TEXTILES artificial sweat extractable (EN 16711-2) or total (EN 16711-1) metal is measured. IN SKIN ISO 17072 makes the same distinction. IN TOYS EN 71-3 yields metal that migrates from mouthable materials under stomach acid-like conditions. In FOOD, the total element content is determined, and in ENVIRONMENT samples, the concentration in water, soil and waste is determined.

Purpose of Heavy Metals

The aim is to determine whether the risk posed by the heavy metals contained in the product through skin contact, ingestion or release into the environment remains within the limits of the legislation.

Which Products Is Heavy Metals Applied To?

Dyed and printed textiles, baby and children's clothing
Leather shoes, bags and clothing
Toys and child care items
Food products and food contact materials
cosmetic products
Wastewater, drinking water, soil and waste samples

In Which Sectors Is Heavy Metals Used?

TextilesRetailConsumer ProductsLeatherFootwearToyFoodCosmeticsEnvironment

Standards Related to Heavy Metals

TS EN 16711-1 (textile — total metal content, microwave decomposition)
TS EN 16711-2 (tekstil — yapay asidik terle ekstrakte edilebilir metaller)
TS EN 16711-3 (textile — lead and cadmium restriction)
TS EN ISO 17072-1 / -2 (skin — extractable and total metal)
TS EN 71-3 (toy — migration of certain elements)
TS EN 1811 (nickel release in metal accessories)
TS EN 13804 / 13805 (food — element determination and pressure solubilization)
TS EN ISO 17294-2 (water — element determination by ICP-MS)
TS EN 13657 / ISO 11466 (soil and waste — solubilization)

Heavy Metals Conditions

Textiles and leather: Extraction with acidic sweat solution or acid solubilization in microwave
Toy: Migration test in dilute hydrochloric acid medium defined in EN 71-3
food and environment: Pressurized microwave solubilization; direct measurement in water samples
Measurement: ICP-OES or ICP-MS; cold steam technique if necessary for mercury
Unit: mg/kg veya µg/L

Equipment for Heavy Metals

ICP-OES / ICP-MS
Microwave digestion system
Cold vapor/hydride system (for mercury and arsenic)
Water bath and shaker
Analytical balance and mill

Sample Requirements for Heavy Metals

Separate sample for each colour, component and matrix
Metal accessories should be evaluated separately
Each material category in the toy is a separate sample
To avoid metal contamination, the sample should not be cut with metal tools.
Water samples should be sent in a suitable container and protected with acid if necessary.

Duration of Heavy Metals

Sample preparation (extraction or solubilization) and ICP measurement determine the time; Results are usually available within a few business days. As the number of elements and matrix complexity increases, the time increases.

Heavy Metals Procedure

1The sample is separated by matrix and component, ground or cut, and weighed.
2In extractable/migration analysis, it is extracted with the solution defined in the standard.
3In total analysis, it is solubilized with acid in the microwave.
4The solution is filtered and diluted.
5Internal standard is added and ICP and elemental concentrations are measured.
6The result is calculated in the unit appropriate to the matrix.

Heavy Metals Acceptance Criteria

Acceptance criteria vary depending on the matrix and target market: in textiles and leather, REACH Annex The limit to be applied is determined according to the scope of the product and is confirmed from the current text.

Evaluation of Results

Total, extractable and migration results are not interchangeable: in a product with a high total content, the extractable amount may remain below the limit. Which one the specification requires and which limit it is compared to is clearly stated in the report.

Heavy Metals Report

Sample description, matrix and analyzed components
Applied standard and sample preparation method
Result and limit of quantification for each element
Knowledge of measurement technique and internal standards
Compared limit value and its source

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

(EC) 1907/2006 REACH Annex XVII
2009/48/EC Toy Safety Directive
(EU) Regulation 2023/915 on Maximum Levels of Contaminants in Food
(EC) 1223/2009 Cosmetic Products Regulation

Footwear and Leather Testing — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the Heavy Metals test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Footwear and leather testing assesses the physical durability and chemical safety of a product together. Footwear is a MULTI-COMPONENT product: the sole, upper, lining, insole, heel and bonding line are tested both individually and together. One component being good does not mean the product is good; failure usually appears where components join.

On the physical side, the most common field failure is SOLE-UPPER SEPARATION. Bond strength is therefore the most critical measurement in the field and is a direct indicator of the bonding process (surface preparation, adhesive selection, pressing conditions). Next come sole abrasion and flex resistance: a shoe is flexed hundreds of thousands of times over its life.

Slip resistance is the most important parameter for safety and its measurement depends on the surface: wet ceramic, oily steel and dry floor give different results. Slip resistance is therefore reported not as a single number but with the surface and the direction of slip stated.

A separate body of work applies to protective footwear, and this is the most commercially critical distinction. Toe protection (impact and compression), penetration resistance, antistatic behaviour, heat and cold insulation, electrical insulation and fuel resistance are assessed under personal protective equipment requirements. CE is mandatory for these products and the category must be chosen correctly; an ordinary footwear test report does not satisfy that file.

On the chemical side, CHROMIUM (VI) has a special place in leather. The chromium (III) used in tanning can oxidise into chromium (VI) during storage and ageing; that is, a leather that was compliant at production may exceed the limit months later. The time of measurement and the history of the sample therefore affect the result, and measurement after ageing may be required.

Other chemical items are aromatic amines from azo dyes, pentachlorophenol, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, dimethyl fumarate and phthalates. These items come from REACH restrictions and brand restricted substance lists.

There is NO CE marking on consumer footwear; the obligation runs through material composition labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions and general product safety. Labelling has a rule of its own: the type of material used for the upper, the lining and insole and the outer sole is shown by pictograms.

Comfort and functional claims (waterproofness, moisture management, breathability) are supported by separate tests, and these claims require evidence if used in marketing copy.

Method groups in this field

Bonding and strength
Sole-upper bond strength, seam strength, heel attachment strength, strap and buckle strength.
Abrasion and flexing
Sole abrasion, flex resistance (dry and at low temperature), insole abrasion.
Slip resistance
Forward and backward slip measurements on wet ceramic, oily steel and dry floor.
Protective properties
Toe impact and compression resistance, penetration resistance, antistatic behaviour, heat and cold insulation, fuel and chemical resistance.
Leather chemistry
Chromium (VI), azo dye amines, pentachlorophenol, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, pH and fat content.
Comfort and function
Waterproofness, water vapour permeability, moisture management, colour fastness and the effect of perspiration.

Commonly confused in this field

Footwear claiming a protective function falls under PPE legislation and requires CE; a consumer footwear test report does not satisfy that file.
A chromium (VI) result depends on the age of the sample and its storage conditions; leather compliant at production may exceed the limit later.
Slip resistance is not a single number; it cannot be interpreted without stating the surface and the direction.
A result obtained for one component does not cover the whole product; the joints are tested separately.
Labelling rules run on material pictograms; an incorrect pictogram causes problems in customs and market surveillance.
A waterproofness claim is not verifiable unless the test used and the number of flex cycles after which it was measured are stated.

Which decisions these results support

Compliance with the brand restricted substance list
The PPE category and CE file for protective footwear
Supplier and lot-based acceptance control
Root cause analysis of field complaints (bond opening, sole separation)
Substantiation of functional claims

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About Heavy Metals

Is nickel included in this scope?

Nickel release is a separate test (EN 1811) and applies to metal parts in direct prolonged contact with the skin. Accessories such as zippers, snaps and buttons are evaluated separately from fabric or leather.

Should I ask for total or extractable?

If skin contact risk is assessed, extractable method is the right question. Some legislative provisions, such as the lead and cadmium restriction, are defined in terms of total content; Whatever your specification requires is applied.

Can the textile result be used for toys?

Not available. EN 71-3 measures metal migrating under stomach acid-like conditions and defines different limits depending on the material category. The result of sweat extraction taken for textile does not indicate the suitability of the toy.

Is the total chrome result the same as chrome VI?

It is not. Heavy metal analysis gives total chromium and this alone is not a non-compliance. Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) is restricted in leather and is measured separately by ISO 17075.