The UK Nickel Testing Policy

The legislation regulating the use of nickel in jewellery and other accessories leaves many questions unanswered or open to interpretation.  The legislation does not specify exactly how an item should be tested and this has led to inconsistencies between test house procedures and retailer expectations.

The UK Nickel Testing Policy has been formulated in conjunction with the Local Authorities Coordinators of Regulatory Services (LACORS) in an effort to set out a standard approach to nickel testing.  The Policy has no legal standing and Customers should refer to the original legislation in the light of their own particular circumstances.

The Laboratory at the Birmingham Assay Office has adopted the UK Nickel Testing policy and all articles received for nickel testing will be treated according to the processes detailed in the policy, unless our Customers specifically ask us to follow a different procedure.

This means that each item will be disassembled into separate components prior to testing and each individual part will be deemed to be compliant or non compliant with the legislation.  Exposed areas which would not normally come into contact with the skin will be masked off.